A MEMORIAL TO MARY OF BETHANY

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world,

this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:9

"FORGIVEN" by Daniel F. Gerhartz

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. MATTHEW 1:21

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

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. JOHN 14:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ACTS 4:12

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

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; EPHESIANS 1:7

THERE ARE FOUR TRUTHS THAT WE MUST FULLY UNDERSTAND:

1. GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH.

HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM.

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

HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE AN ABUNDANT AND MEANINGFUL LIFE WITH HIM.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. JOHN 10:10

DESPITE THIS, MANY PEOPLE DO NOT EXPERIENCE A MEANINGFUL LIFE AND ARE NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE...

2. MAN IS SINFUL BY NATURE. THAT'S WHY HE IS SEPARATED FROM GOD.

ALL HAVE SINNED.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ROMANS 3:23 

For the love of money is the root of all evil... 1 TIMOTHY 6:10

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH.

For the wages of sin is death... ROMANS 6:23

THE BIBLE SPECIFIES TWO TYPES OF DEATH:

• PHYSICAL DEATH

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: HEBREWS 9:27 

• SPIRITUAL DEATH OR ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD IN HELL

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. REVELATION 21:8

IF MAN IS SEPARATED FROM GOD BECAUSE OF HIS SIN, WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM? WE OFTEN THINK THAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE: RELIGION, GOOD WORKS, AND GOOD MANNERS. BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE SOLUTION FROM GOD.

3. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.

 THIS IS GOD'S DECLARATION.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. JOHN 14:6

HE PAID THE FULL PUNISHMENT FOR OUR SINS.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:             1 PETER 3:18 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; EPHESIANS 1:7

HE HAS THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. JOHN 3:36

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ROMANS 6:23

4. WE NEED TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST TO BE SAVED.

OUR SALVATION IS DUE TO THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

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. EPHESIANS 2:8-9

SINNER’S PRAYER

PRAY THIS WITH FAITH:

LORD JESUS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOVING ME. I CONFESS THAT I AM A SINNER AND I ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEATH ON THE CROSS, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION TO PAY FOR ALL MY SINS. I TRUST YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. I ACCEPT YOUR GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE AND I SURRENDER MY LIFE TO YOU. HELP ME TO OBEY ALL YOUR COMMANDS AND BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT. AMEN.

IF YOU HAVE TRUSTED IN JESUS CHRIST, THE FOLLOWING HAS HAPPENED TO YOU:

• NOW, YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. JOHN 6:40

• ALL YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN PAID AND FORGIVEN.  (PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; HEBREWS 10:12

• YOU ARE A NEW CREATION IN GOD'S SIGHT. IT’S THE START OF YOUR NEW LIFE.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

• YOU BECAME A CHILD OF GOD.

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: JOHN 1:12

GOOD WORKS ARE NOT A WAY FOR US TO BE SAVED, BUT A PROOF OR FRUIT OF OUR SALVATION.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. EPHESIANS 2:10

GOD BLESS YOU!