“Sir, we would see Jesus.” (John 12:21)
Knowing Jesus Christ is both vital and fulfilling. Scripture teaches that we are created for His glory. The New Testament reveals that though many sought to destroy Jesus, multitudes more sought to know Him, and understand His message.
Beyond the miracles they experienced, (validating His claim to deity) they followed Him because of His Words. He spoke with authority (Mt. 7:29) and yet graciously (Lk. 4:22). He convinced with wisdom and communicated truth. He spoke of God’s true nature, and how we could know Him. He stated simply and forcefully, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Below we will study who Jesus is and how we can know Him personally.
WHO IS JESUS?
JESUS IS GOD… AND HE LOVES YOU!
Jesus said He was God (Mt. 16:13-17, John 8:58) and then proved it by His life. Christ’s gracious, courageous words, His miracles, demonstrate not only supernatural power but supernatural love. (Rom. 5:7-8) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Interestingly, Christ’s miracles silenced His critics, because they were undeniable. When His chief critics could not deny the miracles, they sought to vilify the power that enabled them. (Mt. 12:22-24).
JESUS DIED AS YOUR SUBSTITUTE.
From the outset of his ministry, John declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) This picture of Christ was perfectly clear to the original audience, that offered innocent lambs daily in the Jerusalem temple. Christ was born to die. Jesus Himself claimed the purpose of His life was redemption – “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mt. 20:28) Did Jesus accomplish His purpose? His resurrection is the indisputable answer to this question! Though His followers misunderstood Christ’s death and purpose of ministry, Jesus cried victoriously from the cross, “it is finished,” (John 19:30) claiming our salvation was made possible. The penalty for man’s sin had been fully paid, once and for all. It is now a free gift to those who will trust Him, and Him alone for salvation. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Peter 1:18-19
JESUS ROSE AGAIN!
Everything rides on Christ’s resurrection. Why is it so important? The truthfulness of Christ’s message for one is at stake, and the witness of His apostles. But the crucial reason why it is most important, is what Scripture declares, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Cor. 15:17). If Christ did not rise, His death was an insufficient payment. Just as “the wages of sin is death,” (Rom. 6:23) the power to resurrect and have victory over death is only possible if those wages are paid. Christ’s resurrection proves He truly did pay the price for our sin. The witness of Scripture is that Christ did die for our sins, but has risen again, enabling us to rise again to everlasting life instead of everlasting judgment.
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:17-18
HOW CAN I KNOW JESUS AS SAVIOUR?
UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SINNED AND NEED TO BE SAVED
Many people think, “I need to trust in Jesus and be a good person to receive salvation.” Sadly if our salvation requires righteousness on our part, we will fall far short. We must answer the question, do I need “just a bit of grace, because I’m basically a fairly good person,” or do I need “salvation as a free gift because I am corrupt, bent away from God, a liar, covetous, proud, an adulterer at heart, a blasphemer, and desperately in need of God’s grace”?
Salvation is only given to those who come to a complete end of any self righteousness at all. Sorrowing for what they have done, look desperately to the God’s only way of salvation. This conviction comes when we measure ourselves against God’s law, and God reveals us to be woefully “undone.” Jesus tells the story of a Pharisee who prayed, “Father, I thank thee that I am not as other men…” and the Publican, who smote his breast and prayed, “Father, be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus said it was the repentant sinner who was justified. Consider the verse, Romans 3:19.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans 3:19
BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR
Amazingly, because Christ purchased our salvation, it is a free gift to all who will believe. Scripture says we must simply depend on Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. Consider some of the following verses:
Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Galatians 2:21 – I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Loosely believing the historical fact that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, is not what the Bible means when it says, we must believe. To believe speaks of dependence, the decision to rest in the ability of another. To believe in Christ means you are basing your eternal destiny solely on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You are turning from any and all sense of self-righteousness, and resting in Christ’s “once and for all” sacrifice on the cross.
The Bible says that salvation is “by grace,” which is wonderful and true. Grace (χάρις) means “undeserved favour.” We receive grace not through the sacraments of a church, but through faith. Consider these following verses:
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 4:4-5 – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
CALL ON GOD TO SAVE YOU!
Has God convicted you of your sin? Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin, and truly paid the price if you’ll receive it by faith? You must receive Christ as Saviour by asking. By trusting in Christ and calling on Him to save you, He will.
Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 1:12 – 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:
The decision to believe in Christ as your Saviour is not a light decision or a gradual realisation. It is a conscious choice. It is a the result of true sorrow for sin, the understanding of eternal judgment because of sin, and the acknowledgement of God’s only way of escape – Jesus Christ.
Going to Heaven isn’t about being good or religious. It’s about trusting Jesus. Call out to Him, place your total dependence in Jesus to save you and call on Him to save you from sin, and give you His gift of eternal life. It’s the best decision you will ever make. To discover more, download the free eBook—DONE!
He wants to save you.
WEEKLY MEETINGS
SUNDAY WORSHIP
6PM
Connacht Hotel, Renmore H91 K5DD
WEDNESDAY PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY
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CONTACT INFORMATION
POSTAL ADDRESS
Grace Baptist Church
PO Box 13647
City North Business Park
Tuam Rd. Galway H91 DP79
PHONE (091) 805 777
EMAIL - info@gracegalway.ie