The Way Of Christ - The Way To God

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                             The Way To God

INTRODUCTION

1. The Way of Christ is first and foremost the way to God...
   a. Jesus claimed to be the only way to God - Jn 14:6
   b. He is the way for Jew and Gentile to have access to God - Ep 2:18

2. To appreciate why this true, we must understand the gospel of
   Christ...
   a. The good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ
   b. What Paul calls "the gospel of the grace of God" - Ac 20:24

[Grace is defined as goodwill, lovingkindness, unmerited favor.  As we
examine the grace of God in Christ Jesus, consider first...]

I. THE NEED FOR GRACE

   A. ALL ARE SINNERS...
      1. All sin and fall short of the glory of God - Ro 3:23
      2. Even one sin condemns - Jm 2:10
      3. Even good men need saving - Ac 10:1-2; 11:14
      -- Do not think that our good works can save us!

   B. CONSEQUENCES OF SIN...
      1. The wages of sin is death - Ro 6:23
      2. Spiritual death involves separation from God - Isa 59:2
      3. Left in such a state, eternal separation is the result - Re
         21:8
      -- The consequences of sin are grave, both now and hereafter!

[The point is clear, we all need the grace of God!  But praise be to
God, in Christ Jesus there is...]

II. THE PROVISION OF GRACE

   A. BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE...
      1. God sent His only begotten Son - Jn 3:16
      2. God offered Jesus as the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for
         our sins - 1Jn 4:9-10
      -- God truly does love us!

   B. BECAUSE OF HIS JUSTICE...
      1. God offers Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb for our sins - Jn 1:29
      2. God gave Jesus as the redemption for our sins - Ro 3:24-26
      -- God has done what is necessary to forgive sinners while still
         being just

[Demonstrating that He is both a God of love and a God of justice, God
has provided mankind the grace we need!  But that grace is not
unconditional (otherwise all would be saved), it must be received...]

III. THE RECEPTION OF GRACE

   A. OBEYING THE GOSPEL...
      1. To receive grace, we must obey the gospel
         a. For Jesus is the author of salvation for those who obey Him
            - He 5:9
         b. And consider the end of those who do not - 1Pe 4:17; 2Th
            1:7-9
      2. To obey the gospel, we must respond to God's grace
         a. Believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God - Jn 8:24;
            20:30-31
         b. Confessing one's faith in the Lord Jesus - Ro 10:9-10; Mt
            10:32-33
         c. Repenting of our sins - Lk 24:46-47; 3:19; 17:30-31
         d. Being baptized for the remission of sins - Mk 16:15-16; Ac
            2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16
      3. Such obedience does not earn or merit our salvation!
         a. Baptism involves the mercy and grace of God - Tit 3:4-7
         b. Baptism unites one with Christ in His death - Ro 6:3-8
         c. Baptism is God working on you - Col 2:11-13
         d. Baptism is an appeal for a good conscience - 1Pe 3:21
         e. Baptism is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ - Ga 3:27
      -- By obeying the gospel of Christ, we receive the initial
         benefits of God's grace:  the remission of sins, the gift of
         the Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life

   B. LIVING THE GOSPEL...
      1. To continue receiving grace, we must live the gospel
         a. The gift of eternal life is received at the end - Ro
            6:22-23; Mt 25:46
         b. It is possible to become hardened by the deceitfulness of
            sin - He 3:12-14
         c. We must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re
            2:10; Jude 1:21
      2. To live the gospel, we must grow in grace and knowledge
         a. Grace is multiplied in the knowledge of God and Jesus - 2Pe
            1:2-4
         b. Growing in knowledge involves adding Christ-like qualities
            - 2Pe 1:5-11
         c. Otherwise we might fall from our steadfastness - 2Pe 3:17-18
      -- By following the way of Christ in faith and obedience, we
         continue to experience the grace of God both now and hereafter!

CONCLUSION

1. The way of Christ is the only way to God because...
   a. God Himself sent His Son to deal with the problem of sin
   b. Only by sacrificing His Son does God demonstrate both His love and
      His justice
   c. Rejecting the gospel of Christ rejects both the Father and His Son
      - cf. 2Jn 1:9

2. The way of Christ does not stop with obeying the gospel of grace; it
   continues...
   a. By living the gospel, that is, doing what Jesus taught His
      apostles - Mt 28:19-20
   b. By growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2Pe 3:18
   c. By remaining faithful to Jesus even to the point of death - Re
      2:10

Have you responded to the gospel of the grace of God?  Do not hesitate
to let us know if we can be of any assistance...
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