God created man in His own image and with His own likeness and set the first man, Adam, in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. But Adam sinned by disobeying God and became corrupted, and because we are all his descendants, we have inherited his sinful nature. Sin is the violation of God’s Law, and the “wages” of sin is death. Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and death through sin, so death spread to all mankind because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Thus, we are all justly deserving of everlasting punishment—the destruction of soul and body in hell. But even so, in His love, God already had a plan to save and redeem us.

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, paying the debt for our sins, so that through Him we may be saved. Unlike us, Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the Holy Spirit of God and therefore did not share Adam’s sinful nature, but rather He had God’s nature. Jesus, in every respect, was tempted as we are yet He remained without sin—like a “lamb without blemish or spot”, the perfect and only sacrifice worthy of taking our place. For by the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was scourged, mocked, crucified, and killed for our sins, taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve. He was then buried and raised back to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures. He then appeared to more than five hundred individuals in the forty days post-resurrection before being taken up into heaven out of their sight and returning to His Father. Fulfilling every one of the many Old Testament prophecies pertaining to Him, He now sits at His Father’s right hand and is awaiting His Father’s instruction to return. This was all recorded in the scriptures contained in the Holy Bible, which is the word of God and is able to save our souls.

Jesus Christ promised that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace and not by any merit of our own. Upon His return, all the dead will hear His voice and come to life—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and later, those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart in rebellion. Whoever conceals his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Making sure to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.

If you repent and believe in the gospel, placing your faith in Jesus Christ, you will inherit salvation, which leads to everlasting life. With this salvation comes a necessary spiritual rebirth; God will give you a new heart and His Holy Spirit, which will give you wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, put His Laws on your heart and mind, guide you into all the truth, help you, and comfort you. By the blood of Jesus, sanctifying you and cleansing you of all unrighteousness—conforming you to His image.

In an act of faith, all believers are called to be baptised in water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. To be buried with Christ by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, you also might walk in newness of life. Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power towards those who believe. To be called children of God and to dwell with Him for all eternity.

We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the present darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The devil, who is called Satan, and all his angels, which are also referred to as demons, have been cast out of heaven for their choice to sin and rebel against God. They are our greatest threat in this world, even though at times it may seem like it’s each other. Satan is the spirit that is now at work in all those who are living in disobedience to God. We must be very careful about what we hear and believe, verifying everything against God’s word in the Bible, for many false prophets, teachers, and brethren are in the world and among churches, like wolves in sheep’s clothing. But fear not, for God is greater and with us always.

We now await our blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is coming soon with eyes like a flame of fire and all His angels with Him, and every eye will see Him. But concerning that day and hour, no one knows—not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Therefore, those of us who are eagerly awaiting His appearance must be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish and at peace. Counting the patience of the Lord as salvation. There are some things in the scriptures that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction. Take care that you are not carried away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.