#1 Jesus came to rescue you, and you needed it.
A friend of mine used to say, “I don’t know about you, but I was a sinner before I was saved.” That is true for all of us. Whether you know it or not, you were hopelessly lost without Christ. There are no “pretty good” people who can either take it or leave it. There is no one who can boast in what a great person he was before he was saved. Everyone has sinned and lost the glory of God. Without Christ we are sick, poor, bound, and far away from God. Jesus came on a rescue mission for hopelessly lost sinners. He didn’t come to beat you up for your situation; He came to rescue you from it.
Three big ideas to remember:
1. God’s original design was great: We were created in the image of God with the authority to rule over His earth. We were designed to live forever in an environment (Eden) free from sickness, natural disaster, and lack. God wanted us to be free to make choices, and to be comfortable in His presence and interact with Him. He called the whole thing “very good!” Genesis 1: 26-31 / Psalm 8:4-8 ‘/ Genesis 2:16-17
2. Adam’s sin messed it up. Adam committed the sin of direct disobedience. It influenced the human race from that time forward. Because of sin, we lost our sense of intimacy with God, the ability to be shame-free in His presence. Death, both spiritual and physical, started right there. Our authority was given away. All conditions that are less than the perfection of Eden came through one man’s disobedience: Sickness and disease, poverty, adverse natural conditions, jobs we hate, unhappy marriages, wayward children, emotional turmoil, etc. Because of sin, we are condemned already. Romans 3:23 / Romans 5:12-14 / Genesis 3:7-10 / 2:17 / Colossians 1:13 / 2:13 / Acts 26:18 / Deuteronomy 28:15-68 / Romans 8:20-22 Ephesians 2:1-3, 12 / John 3:16-19.
3. Jesus came to help us. He stepped down from Heaven on a mission to rescue us from the impact of sin. He died to pay the penalty for our sins, and the sin of Adam. He was raised from the dead to offer freedom by faith to any who would accept it. His coming as a man, His death as our sacrifice, and His resurrection as our Lord allow Him to restore us to the blessing that was lost in the fall of Adam. We have our intimacy back, and we are without shame in His presence. Luke 19:10 / Philippians 2:4-11 /. Acts 17:31 / Hebrews 4:14-16./ 2 Cor 3:18 / 5:17-21.
Somebody said: Christ is the Son of God. He died to atone for men’s sin, and after three days rose again. This is the most important fact in the universe. I die believing in Christ. –Watchman Nee, (note found under his pillow, in prison, at his death).
Here’s the point: You were not a bargain! Because of sin, you were hopelessly lost, sick, bound, depressed. Sin separated you from God. Jesus came to rescue you and provided Himself as an answer for your mess, whatever that may be. He did it just because He loves you. He wants you reinstated to “very good.”
Action Step: Ask the Lord to restore what you lost – your intimacy with Him, your self-respect, your health, or your joy. Whatever you lost, Jesus bought it back! John 16:23-28
For the full video on this subject, click on Real Disciples 1: Jesus Came to Rescue You
Click HERE for the next lesson: You Must Be Born Again.
If you have questions, please contact us at 520-792-3238 or fcftoffice@fcftucson.org.
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