THE GOSPEL
Creation
In His love, God created everything, including you. He designed humanity for a perfect relationship with Him—intended for a loving union with our Creator. Our purpose was to enjoy an eternal, all-satisfying connection with God, where He would be our God, and we would be His people. We were made to glorify Him by delighting in His presence and walking in obedience, partnering with Him to care for His creation. In the beginning, there was harmony and peace.
Genesis 1:1-14, 2:1-24; Revelation 4:11
However, the first humans, Adam and Eve, chose to disobey God’s good will and rebel against Him. They desired to be the rulers of their own lives, determining for themselves what was right and wrong. This rebellion, known as sin, broke our relationship with God. As a result, humanity was cast out of His presence, and all of creation fell under a curse. Now, every human is born into sin, separated from God, and at enmity with Him. In our disobedience, we deserve God’s judgment, which means eternal separation from His presence in hell. Unable to restore ourselves to Him, we are helpless to earn His forgiveness and return to the relationship for which we were created.
Genesis 3; John 3:36, Romans 3:23, 6:23
Fall
Salvation
Though we are helpless in our sin, God didn’t leave us hopeless. In His love, He sent Jesus to earth as both fully God and fully man. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose three days later, conquering death. For those who trust in Him, Jesus takes the punishment we deserve and gives us His perfect righteousness. This exchange is the only way we can be reconciled to God. Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life, because God sees them as if they lived Jesus’ perfect life, while He treated Jesus as if He lived our sinful lives.
John 3:16; Romans 6:23, 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:1-10; Galatians 2:15-21
The good news of the Gospel does not stop with our personal redemption, but God promises that all things will be made right. By His grace and according to His good will, God is working out a plan of redemption in which His people will dwell with Him for all eternity in a new heaven and new earth. There will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears, no injustice, and no sin anymore! For those who place faith in Christ, an eternity of delight in God is waiting for them. Do you want to be restored to a right relationship with God? Jesus has done all that you need, would you put your trust in Him?
John 14:1-7; Romans 8:18-30; Revelation 21:1-27