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The
Psalmist David, king of Israel, wrote:
"The Heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1)
and the apostle Paul declared:
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in
them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things
of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Romans 1:19, 20).
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All creation gives unmistakable evidence that God is the
Almighty Creator of the universe and ALL it contains.
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All humanity is without excuse because of its fall in sin
in Adam (Romans 5:12).
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All come into this world lost, guilty and under the just
condemnation of God. David at the direction of God wrote: "The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see
if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all
gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none
that doeth good, no, not one." (Psalm 14:1-3).
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All creation shows God's power BUT it does not reveal His
remedy for man's tragic lost condition. We must ask therefore
whether He has given a plan to man about how He would save fallen
mankind? HAS GOD SPOKEN? Yes, He has. What God has spoken has been
written in the Bible by God's servants as He directed them. Peter
put it this way: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:20, 21).
The apostle John wrote: "But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31).
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God promises in the Bible to us that: "For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and
how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias
saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:13-17).
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Therefore, according to Jesus, the MISSION of His people is
to: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world." (Matthew 28:19,20).
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The good news which God has given MUST be believed.
Believing that there is a God or a Supreme Power, as even the
creation proves, is not sufficient to save anyone -- "Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble." (James 2:19).
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The Gospel in its most concise statement is that, "For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And
that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according
to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
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It is not simply believing the historical facts about Jesus
Christ such as: His Virgin Birth, sinless life, moral teachings,
death on a Roman Cross, burial in a borrowed tomb, bodily
resurrection on the third day and His ascending into the Heavens
forty days later. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus Christ -- God the
Son Who "became flesh, and dwelt among us" (John
1:14) -- did all these things "FOR OUR SINS."
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In order to become a child of God one "MUST BE
BORN AGAIN" (John 3:7).
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Keep in mind that no one cannot save himself from the guilt
and penalty of sin. John points out
in unmistakable terms that it is ONLY those who receive Jesus,
God's acceptable sacrifice for our sin. "But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God." (John 1:12, 13. See also Romans 9:15, 16).
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Salvation is by the grace of God alone (Ephesians 2:1-10).
All those who do not receive Jesus as their Savior "shall
go away into everlasting punishment:" in the "lake of
fire" (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15).
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Jesus is the perfect Savior from God. God Himself chose and
provided the way of salvation -- forgiveness and restoration to
Himself. Jesus said: "I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me." (John 14:6).
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Finally Jesus promised to return to receive His people unto
Himself (John 14:6). After His resurrection and His
subsequent 40-day
ministry among His followers, and after having BEEN SEEN by very many,
we are told: "And when he had spoken these things, while
they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of
their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he
went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which
also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so
come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
(Acts 1:9-11).
Until
He returns, the Lord Jesus has entrusted to His Body, the Church,
this wonderful opportunity and command to make known abroad the
cleansing, forgiveness, liberty and blessing He provides for all
who acknowledge their need and come to Him in faith and
repentance. Out of joyful and willing hearts we gratefully
offer our gifts and our abilities In His Service, warmly inviting
you, dear reader, to join us. friends@lovereach
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