Everyone who trust in Him alone, has eternal life.

John 3:16–18 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

What do people say or think that makes them a Christian?

When people say all you have to do is believe and that’s it.

What do you thi

Why do people expect it to be more involved or complicated?

What kind of things do we try to add to faith in Jesus?

There are 3 areas one can go with this.

Christ or Works can save you.

Christ and Works can save you.

Christ alone can save you.

With #1, this breaks down because in this picture one doesn’t necessarily need Jesus for salvation. One can go that route or just achieve it on their own. This is what we see with people just coming to Church or reading the Bible, thinking that makes them a Christian.

#2 Option presents the problem that one needs Christ but what He did on the cross was not enough. For salvation, we need Jesus plus my efforts.

Other religions have this concept like Islam for example.

#3 Option, gives us what the writers of scripture communicate throughout the NT. Even in the OT, it was still faith in the Messiah (Jesus) to provide redemption.

John 3:

John 3:16–18 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Scripture lays it out clearly here when it comes to belief in Jesus—belief is at the very core of His message of salvation. But I think it’s important that we spend a little time exploring what “believing” really means.

In the original language of the New Testament—Greek—the word believe carries a larger connotation than just “intellectual agreement.” It means “trusting in, depending on and relying upon completely.”

So “belief” means “trust.” Let’s talk a little bit about “trust.”

What am I trusting in?

How am I depending on Jesus for salvation?

How am I relying upon Jesus completely?

Upward

Ask (Stand next to a stable chair as you ask the following questions.)

• What does it mean to trust? Can anyone take a stab at describing what trust is?

• If I put one finger on the back of this chair, am I demonstrating that I fully trust it to hold me?

• How about if I put my whole hand here on the back of the chair? Am I fully trusting it?

• Or what if I put my foot up on the seat?

• What do I need to do to demonstrate that I fully trust the chair to hold me?

When I stand on the chair, like I am now, I’m totally relying on the chair to hold me. I’m trusting it fully.

Explain

If I were to turn around and without seeing where Im going, fall backwards, that is showing complete trust.

I demonstrated my trust by taking the plunge and being willing to go all in, right?

Jesus’ gospel message, it requires us to fully put our trust in something that is unseen.

All that’s required of us is to respond in faith to this free gift Jesus offers.

EVERYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM ALONE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.

Why is the word “alone” important?

Is there anything I could possibly do that would bring so much shame, that God could not forgive me or love me?

Say someone’s had an abortion or

they’ve been into internet porn or

they’ve tried to commit suicide or

they’ve done something they feel is totally unforgiveable…

what about people who feel like that?

Does God just want the “good” people on His team?

As we’ve been watching these videos and discussing these issues, maybe it’s news to you that God wants a relationship with you. Perhaps you never knew that your sins can’t be removed by good deeds. The Bible tells us they can only be removed by the work Jesus did on the cross. But all it takes is to put your faith and trust in Him and you can receive the free gift of eternal that starts now and lasts forever.

What does this truth mean to us personally, if we’re believers in Jesus?

The same faith that saved you from the penalty of sin also saves you from the power of sin. When Jesus died on the cross He made it possible for you to walk in victory over sin in your life.