Response card: https://forms.gle/EAx4SL97UMY5TfTk6
We see beauty, purpose and evidence of God’s design around us. The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly—where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.
God made each of us with a purpose—to worship Him and walk with Him.
What is some evidence you see of God’s perfect design in this world?
The Bible Says:
“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” –Genesis
1:31
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.” -Psalm 19:1
Life doesn’t work when we ignore God and His original design for our lives.
We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design.
The consequence of our sin is separation from God—in this life and for all eternity.
How have you gone your own way?
The Bible Says:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” –Romans
3:23
“For the wages of sin is death” –Romans 6:23a
Sin leads to a place of brokenness. We see this all around us and in our own lives as well.
When we realize life is not working the way we had hoped, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it our on our own. Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.
Despite our best attempts, we cannot escape this brokenness on our own. Whether we pursue religion, politics, relationships, education, or even addiction as a way out, we always find ourselves right back in this place of brokenness.
The Bible Says:
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and
served something created instead of the Creator.” --Romans 1:25
“We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way;” –Isaiah 53:6
At this point, we need a remedy—some good news.
Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness. Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s design.
Jesus came to rescue us –to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death. Jesus was then raised from the dead—to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God.
This is the good news. God loved you so much, that He sent Jesus to die in your place. Because of His sacrifice, we can be set free from our brokenness and sin!
The Bible Says:
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son.” -John 3:16
“He erased the certificate of debt. . . and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.” -Colossians 2:14
“But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” -Isaiah 53:5
Simply hearing this Good News is not enough.
We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves. We don’t have the power to escape this brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued.
We must stop going our own way and ask God to forgive us. We must trust in Jesus and Jesus alone to save us. This is what it means to repent and believe.
Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.
The Bible Says:
“Repent and believe in the good news.” -Mark 1:15b
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9
When God restores our relationship to Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world. Now we can pursue God’s design in all areas of our lives.
Even when we fail, we understand God’s pathway to be restored—this same good news of Jesus.
God’s Spirit empowers us to pursue His design and assures us of His presence in this life and for all eternity
The Bible Says: “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” –Philippians 2:13
“For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” –Ephesians 2:10
Now that you have heard this good news, God wants you to respond to Him. You can talk to Him using words like these but speak to Him from your heart. God longs to hear from you!
God, I know my life is broken because of my sin.
I have tried to escape on my own, but I can’t do it, I need to be rescued.
I believe Jesus came to live, die, and was raised from the dead to rescue me from my sin.
Forgive me. I turn from my selfish ways and put my trust only in you, Jesus.
I know that Jesus is Lord of all, and I will strive to follow Him.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
The Bible Says: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” –Romans 10:9
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:13
1. Tell someone about your new life in Christ
Jesus changes everything. Tell someone close to you about this
life-changing news. It could be your spouse, a child, a friend,
or a co-worker, but tell someone.
2. Connect with a Bible-believing Church
The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone, that’s why we
gather in local churches. We encourage, challenge, and help one
another pursue and recover God’s design in our lives.
While we would love to have you join us at Parkland. If you would like more information or would like to talk to someone more about what it means to follow Jesus, please fill out the form below.
Response card: https://forms.gle/EAx4SL97UMY5TfTk6
3. Get a copy of God’s Word
The single biggest indicator of spiritual growth for a new
believer is time spent reading the Bible. We would love to give
you a free copy to help you on your journey.