" If A Man Die, Shall He Live Again ? "

 

     The question that has been on the heart and mind of every person from the beginning of time is this:

If a man die,

shall he live again ?

     The LORD JESUS answered this question when HE said:

     "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

     This great verse reveals four precious truths from the heart of GOD.

You are loved.

     GOD wants you to know that you are loved. The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world. . ."  You are a part of this world, and GOD loves you.

You are of worth.

     The LORD also wants you to know that you are of worth. You are so dear to GOD that ". . .HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ." HE gave HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, to pay your sin debt in full.

     The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:23  And sin must be paid for. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." Romans 6:23.

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . ." 2nd.Corinthians 5:21. CHRIST's payment for our sin was accepted by GOD. It satisfied GOD's requirement for forgiveness.

     You may ask, "How can GOD forgive sin ?" HE can do that because of what JESUS did for us. ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." Romans 5:8.

You can have hope.

     GOD wants you to know that you can have hope. HE said ". . .that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish. . ."  HE rose from the dead, and HE said, ". . .Because I live, ye shall live also" John 14:19.

You can have purpose.

     GOD wants you to know that you can have purpose in life. HE desires that you "should not perish but have everlasting life." The answer to man's searching question is "YES, there is life after death - eternal life !"

     Everlasting life is ours when we turn to GOD in repentance and faith and receive the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. You may ask,  "How do I do this ?" The answer is as simple as ABC.

[A]  Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." Romans 3:23

[B]  Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for "CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1st.Corinthians 15:3

[C]  Call upon the LORD to save you, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."  Romans 10:13

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe that YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and saved me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." John 10:28  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Now that you're a Christian:

*  Share your new-found faith with your

family and friends (Acts 16:31-33).

*  Identify with CHRIST through believer's

baptism and become part of a local

Bible-believing church (Acts 2:41,47)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

GULF COAST 

BAPTIST CHURCH

312 SE 24th Avenue

Cape Coral, FL  33990

(239) 574-1000

Pastor Tom Sexton

www.GULFCOASTBAPTISTCHURCH.com

" Be Ye Thankful "

 

Psalm 100:1-5  "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before HIS presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD HE is GOD: it is HE that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are HIS people, and the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, and into HIS courts with praise: be thankful unto HIM, and bless HIS name. For the LORD is good; HIS mercy is everlasting; and HIS truth endures to all generations."

     What memories do you have of Thanksgiving Days past ? Perhaps they include the preparations leading up to that day -- the sights and sounds and smells of baking pumpkin or apple pies along with other goodies. Thanksgiving Day brought the aroma of turkey roasting, the clang and clatter of the serving dishes that would hold the veritable feast which would be placed upon the table, the shouts of joy as various family members arrived. And then, hand in hand as you sat around the table, a prayer was raised of thanksgiving to GOD not only for the bounty of HIS blessing but for the quiet delight of being together as a family, praising the LORD for HIS goodness.

     You may be saying to yourself, "But that was Thanksgiving past." During the previous two years, government restrictions had an effect upon the outward appearance of Thanksgiving Day for many people in America. However, true thanksgiving (or giving of thanks) is a matter of the heart, and it can never be taken from us. Restrictions may come and go and may change drastically and often, but giving of thanks can only be curtailed if we succumb to the circumstances of life rather than centering our heart in GOD and HIS goodness. Thanks to GOD can and should always flow from our heart.

     In Psalm 100, a psalm of praise, verse four challenges believers to "enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, and into HIS courts with praise: be thankful unto HIM, and bless HIS name." Thanksgiving plans and celebrations may change, but our gracious GOD never changes. Set your heart on HIM and recognize that you have every reason to "be ye thankful" (Colossians 3:15 pictured at top of post) on this day and at all times throughout your life. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Thankfulness "

 

T H A N K F U L N E S S

Pastor Tom Sexton

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you." 1st.Thessalonians 5:18

Thanksgiving is always in season for the child of GOD. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, may we be faithful in the truth we have learned from the WORD of GOD.

T   Tell The LORD How Much HE Means TO You

      1st.Chronicles 16:8,  "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon HIS name, make 

      known HIS deeds among the people."

H   Help Others Along The Way

       Proverbs 31:20,  "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth

       forth her hands to the needy."

A    Always Say "Thank You" When Others Serve You

       Ephesians 5:20,  "Giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the 

       FATHER in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST."

N    Never Be Unkind Or Hurtful To Others

       Proverbs 10:12  "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

K    Keep A Song In Your Heart & A Smile on Your Face

       1st.Thessalonians 5:16  "Rejoice evermore."

S     Start Each Day With A Prayer Of Thanksgiving

       Psalm 100:4  "Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, and into HIS courts 

        with praise: be thankful unto HIM, and bless HIS name."

Gulf Coast Baptist Church

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL  33990

Pastor Tom Sexton

(239) 574-1000

    

" I Must Tell YOU This ! "

 

     I KNOW SOMETHING SO WONDERFUL that I must tell you ! It is so vital that it may change your entire future as it did mine. In fact, the decision you make about it will affect you both in this life and in death.

     Let me emphasize that this message is absolutely true, because GOD said it. When GOD makes a promise, you can rest upon it, because HIS promises can never fail. GOD will not make you believe this message, that is your choice but HE will hold you responsible for having heard it.

     It is a very personal message, something you must decide. You must say either, "I will" or "I will not." Here is the message. It is an exact quotation from GOD's WORD, the Holy Bible:

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life."   John 3:16

     Did you ever hear such wonderful words ? Think for a moment what they say. They reveal three marvelous facts.

[] First, "GOD so loved the world" ! Since you are in the world, HE loved you. If that doesn't astonish you, remember, that when GOD loved you, HE loved a sinner ! The Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD" in Romans 3:23. If you are honest, you will agree.

     Although GOD loves you, HE still hates your sin. Since GOD is Holy, HE must punish sin. HE must make a holy way of saving sinners. Otherwise, the sinner must pay for his own sins, and that would mean spending eternity in a Devil's Hell. "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:15)

[] The second great fact is, "HE gave HIS only begotten SON" ! GOD loved you so much, that HE sent HIS SON to Earth to become a man and die on the cross of calvary, so that you might be saved. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . . 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:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a, 3-4).

     You see, someone must pay the penalty of sin, either you or a sinless substitute. GOD gave HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, to be your sinless substitute. HE shed HIS blood so that your sins might be put away (forgiven), so that you might have eternal life.

[] And now the third tremendous fact is, "Whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" ! Think of it ! GOD gives eternal life to those who believe in JESUS CHRIST. The SAVIOR has "finished" the work. HE has died. HE has risen from the grave, and HE has gone back into Heaven. Now your part is to believe in HIM.

     Repentance simply means that you must agree that you are a sinner, realize that CHRIST has paid the "full" penalty for your sins, then turn to GOD from your sins and receive HIM as your LORD and SAVIOR.

     This is the message which I had to tell you. Now you must make a decision. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)  Will you accept HIM, or reject HIM ? Will you believe on HIM, or refuse HIM ? If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer or one like it with all your heart:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for you always. In JESUS name I pray, AMEN.

     Your time on Earth is so very short, but your decision for CHRIST lasts for all eternity. Will you receive JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR and be confident of everlasting life ?  The LORD JESUS said, ". . . I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ."  (John 10:28).  Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" The Discipline of Grace "

 

Titus 2:1-15  "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the WORD of GOD be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of GOD our SAVIOR in all things.

For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; WHO gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."

     Grace is the unmerited, abounding provision of GOD's infinite love directed toward HIS creation; it is the result of the work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST accomplished on our behalf. All that we have, both temporally as well as spiritually, is only by virtue of the gracious and outstretched hand of our loving heavenly FATHER.

     We first experience the grace of GOD when we receive by faith the salvation that "hath appeared to all men" (v.11), that is, the Gospel message offered to mankind. Ephesians 2:8-9 (pictured above) plainly declares that salvation is independent from any works man may do; it is completely by grace. Grace and works are mutually exclusive with respect to salvation (Romans 4:4, 16); GOD's grace cannot coincide with good works, piety, ordinances, or sacraments - HIS grace stands alone. If we trust in something we have to do in order to secure even a part of our salvation, then we are not looking to what GOD has already done. HE has provided through CHRIST the remedy for man's lost condition and eternal damnation. In JESUS CHRIST we have the free gift of eternal life.

     However, we must never assume because we are saved by grace apart from works that GOD condones a lack of "good works" in our life. No we must perform our duty as prescribed by the WORD. The same grace that brought about our salvation (v.11) also teaches us to live a fruitful, godly life that pleases our FATHER (v.12). Today's text lists several of our responsibilities to the LORD and reminds us that GOD's grace will enable us to perform these "good works." The LORD has abundantly provided for our salvation; let us also trust HIM for the grace necessary to live for HIS glory. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

"GOD's Answers to YOU from Romans "

 

Romans 3:19-25  "Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before GOD. Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in HIS sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of GOD without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; being justified freely by HIS grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS: WHOM GOD hath set forth to be a propitiation (sacrificial payment) through faith in HIS blood, to declare HIS righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of GOD:"

     The book of Romans, written by the Apostle Paul, answers several questions that are of prime importance.

Question 1 is: Why does a person need to be saved ?  The answer is clear that all are sinners and under the condemnation of GOD's judgment, including the pagan (Romans 1:18), the moralist (Romans 2:1), and the religionist (Romans 2:17). The whole world stands condemned before GOD: "All the world [is] guilty before GOD . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:19b, 23).

Question 2 is:  How is the sinner saved ?  In chapters 4 and 5, we learn that JESUS "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). GOD declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of his or her faith in CHRIST alone for salvation. Peace with GOD results from "being justified by faith" (Romans 5:1).

Question 3 then comes to mind:  What happens after the sinner is saved ? The answer is in chapters seven and eight. While struggles in the Christian life are not uncommon and the old nature still seeks to assert control, GOD is at work in the believer through sanctification. Having been set apart unto GOD in CHRIST, the saint has the assurance of victory and the promise of Romans 8:4 - "that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the SPIRIT."

The Final, but no less vital, question is:  Will the sinner remain saved ? Will he be preserved in salvation, assured of never being separated from GOD ?  Paul assures us in Romans 8:38-39 (picture at top of post) that absolutely nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD." Rest in the provision of GOD; HE will keep you safe and secure. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org