Many people would be uncertain if asked to state some of the main themes of the Bible. A lot of folks have little interest in the Bible or in church, not because they have ever clearly heard these themes, but because of a caricature they have of them. This presentation is designed to make one of the greatest messages of the Bible and the true church as plain as possible. The Bible has many, many things to say to us, but all of them relate somehow to this message. The true church of Jesus Christ around the world has numerous God-given responsibilities, but all of them are influenced by this message. You owe it to yourself to know this great message from the most influential Book and from the most influential force in the history of the world. If you reject the message, at least you will have rejected it for what it is and not a caricature. But you might discover that the same message which has changed the world can change your life too.

I. THERE IS ONE GOD, HE IS THE CREATOR AND HE IS HOLY

          "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other" (Deuteronomy 4:39).

          "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me" (Isaiah 46:9)

          "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

          "Because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'" (1Peter 1:16).

          We owe our lives to such a God!

II. EVERYONE IS A SINNER SEPARATED FROM GOD

          "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

          "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear" (Isaiah 59:2).

          We have no idea how unholy we are in comparison to God.

III. THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SIN

          "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

          "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

          "But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:10).

         "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).

          The penalty is judgment and Hell.

IV. JESUS PAID THAT PENALTY FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

          "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

          "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18).

          Jesus took God's judgment so believers could have mercy.

V. NO ONE CAN EARN GOD'S FORGIVENESS AND FAVOR

          "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

          "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

          We're not saved by our works but by faith in Jesus' work.

VI. WE SHOULD RESPOND WITH REPENTANCE AND FAITH

          "And saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel'" (Mark 1:15).

          "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

          We should turn from sin and turn to Jesus for forgiveness.

VII. WE CAN HAVE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS

          "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

          Jesus' resurrection and God's Word assure believers of forgiveness.

RESPONDING TO THIS GREAT MESSAGE FROM THE BIBLE AND THE CHURCH

1. It is not only right for you to live for the God who created you and owns you, but you will find your greatest fulfillment only when you fulfill the purpose for which you were made, and that is to know God and live for Him.
   
   
2. Do you believe this great message of the Bible? Genuine belief in its truth is demonstrated by turning from living for yourself and believing that because of His death and resurrection Jesus Christ can make you right with God.
   
   
3. Are you willing to express repentance and faith in prayer to God right now?