“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… 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”  I Corinthians 15:1,3-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI0I-IuDBxQ

(click above to view Ralph “Yankee” Arnold – 3 mn gospel message)

Have you ever thought much about life after death – or what happens at the exact moment you die?  Most people have.  There are only two philosophies of salvation in the world:  salvation by works and salvation by grace.  These two are diametrically opposed and wholly contrary, one to the other.  The former emphasizes what man must DO to be saved; the latter declares that the work of salvation is DONE.  The first allows for neither certainty nor assurance; the second gives an absolute guarantee.

The Bible brings us GOOD NEWS addressing this important topic.  The GOOD NEWS is called the GOSPEL!

Allow me a few minutes to share with you some important truths that the Bible says each person must see and believe in order to be saved:

•  I MUST ACCEPT GOD’S HOLY EVALUATION OF ME

When Isaiah saw God, he cried out…”Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:3).  And though our tendency is to view ourselves or others from a relative standard (“I’m not as bad as that guy”), However, God’s evaluation of us stems from His holy character and will.  He declares:

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecc. 7:20)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

This of course, is the bad news.

• I MUST SEE WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR ME THROUGH CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION

The good news of the Gospel centers in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross of Calvary.  Though God’s justice demanded the punishment of death and separation, Jesus Christ died in our place, taking the penalty (punishment) we justly deserved.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

“For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Corinthians 5:21)

 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins paid the penalty in full, completely satisfying God’s holy demands.

 “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)

“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.” (I Peter 3:18)

And why did He do all this for us? Because He truly loves us and wants to save us from eternal hell.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.“ (Romans 5:8)

 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (satisfactory payment) for our sins.”  (I John 4:9,10)

•  I MUST BELIEVE ETERNAL SALVATION IS A GIFT TO ME APART FROM RELIGIOUS WORKS

Since Christ fully paid for our sins when He died, what sins remain to be atoned for by our good works?  The answer is NONE!  Salvation is not a reward for good people, it is the gift of God for sinners who trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.

 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

 “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)

 “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)

Think for a moment, if you could go to heaven by living a moral life, trying to keep the Ten Commandments, being baptized, going to church, etc., why would Jesus Christ have had to die for you and your sins?  His sacrifice of Himself would have been for nothing!

 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)

Good works are to be the result of salvation, they are never the means to be saved.

“Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:9,10)

•  I MUST REST BY FAITH IN GOD`S PROMISE AND ASSURANCE TO ME

God’s free gift of salvation is personally received through childlike faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

 “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)

You need not wonder any longer regarding your eternal destiny. Read God’s promise to the one who transfers their faith from their works to Christ’s finished work for them:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:11-13)

Do you know for sure where you will spend eternity?

 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

God is offering to you the free gift of eternal life on the basis of His amazing grace.  Jesus Christ, God the Son, has paid for this wonderful gift by the supreme sacrifice – He gave His life by shedding His blood to save you and me!

However, God’s available salvation is of no personal value to you until you receive it through trusting in Christ alone.  While you may have seen before that faith in Christ was necessary for salvation, do you see how that FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE is enough? Jesus Christ’s last words on the cross were…   “IT IS FINISHED” [Greek: PAID IN FULL] (John 19:30)

 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  (John 3:17)

 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25,26)

 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUe9ZgADBNQ  The Gospel:  “Bad News and Good News!”