The foretelling of Easter began in Genesis 3 saying, "one will come to crush the serpent's head". Isaiah 53:5 gives more specific details. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible are accounts of the actual event and referred to as the gospel of Jesus. And this is the gospel....
Living with God requires the absence of sin, but
Romans 3:23 says, "all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and
Romans 6:23a, "the wages of sin is death;
The breaking of any of God's commands brings guilt, yet we break many every day. Jesus taught that sin not only refers to our actions but our words and thoughts. Jesus sees all that is in our heart. The Gospel continues....
Romans 6:23b, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". Matthew 20:28, “ just as the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." God, through Jesus' sinless life and death on the cross, provided a way for humanity to live with Him forever. Jesus' perfect life qualified him as an acceptable sacrifice for our sin debt. Because of this, in John 14:6, "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the father but by me."
So what is required of us to have our sins forgiven and be joined with God? Romans 10:9 says, "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." When we sincerely trust in Jesus, our sin is removed by his sacrifice on the cross and His righteousness is given to us for entry into Heaven.
Jesus' resurrection and victory over death is what Christians celebrate at Easter. For just as He was raised from the dead on Easter Sunday, we also who sincerely follow Him will be raised. Come, willing to trust and follow Jesus and he will give you true and eternal life.
At Evangel we offer various bible studies by our Pastors and Elders to learn more about receiving eternal life. All are welcome!
Evangel Church PCA - 423 Thompson Rd.
Alabaster, AL. 35007 - 205-664-0889
Sunday School 9 am - Worship Service 10:15 am
evangelchurchpca.org