JESUS
The Man
Each Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born roughly 2,000 years ago into a lower-class family to a teenage virgin named Mary. From what we know he lived a relatively quiet life in a typical rural town called Nazareth. Jesus experienced the full range of human experience: eating, sleeping, joy, sadness, temptation, exhaustion, etc. In all these things, Jesus was subject to weaknesses and limitations of human life. Jesus was like every other member of his community except for one key factor: Jesus was not subject to life in alienation from God which is the result of sin.
 
At the age of 30, he was baptized and at that moment heaven was opened, the Spirit of God descended and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17). At this time Jesus began his public ministry. Over the next three or so years Jesus healed the hurting, performed miracles, preached Good News and proclaimed he was God by his words and actions.  Being human and divine, Jesus was able to save humanity from sin and death through his death on the cross. 
The Mission
Jesus, the very Son of God, entered into human history on a mission to reveal who God is and to reconcile men and women to God.  Jesus was anointed “to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
 
Jesus fulfilled God’s will perfectly so that he was “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) and could say to his followers “whoever has seen me has seen the father” (John 14:9). Christ’s life offers us images by which we are able to interpret our understanding of God. In Christ we see what it is to love God and love others.
 
In reconciling us to God, Jesus lived and died as a sacrificial substitute, living perfectly in the place of sinners, and dying gruesomely in the place of the guilty. In Christ, God took death into his being and overcame that death through Christ’s resurrection, which redeemed us from the power of sin. Through the resurrection, God did not only raise Christ, but defeated the powers of sin and death in all of creation.
The Message

Through word and deed Christ proclaimed the coming Kingdom of God, and in every aspect challenged unjust norms and freely offered the liberating, unconditional love of God to all people.

Jesus’ message covered a multitude of topics from greed to grace and selfishness to selflessness, but most people would say that love was the core message of Jesus.  Love, although essential to Christ’s teachings was not the core of his message (people were not crucified for wanting people to love more).
 
Jesus’ core message was the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus wanted people to change their hearts and lives by trusting in the good news of God’s power, will, reign and love for their life.  Jesus’ life, death and resurrection was not so much about getting us into heaven as it was to get “heaven” into us. Jesus wants us to receive the kingdom of God by allowing God to reign in every aspect of our lives (Mark 10:13-16).
The Messiah
Everyone has faith in something. It’s not the fact we have faith, but what or whom we put our faith. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and proclaimed that true life consisted in following him. Jesus is the one through whom God frees us of our sin and gives us the gift of whole life, eternal life and salvation. It is a gift of atonement, our “at-oneness” or reconciliation with God.
 
In ways we cannot fully explain, Jesus is the all-satisfying savior through his self-giving sacrifice on the cross and his victory of death in the Resurrection. In Christ we have the opportunity to be forgiven of sin and made into a new creation for God’s glory (2 Cor. 5:17).
 

Jesus calls us to repent of our rebellion, and believe in him. For those who believe in Jesus, he promises them reconciliation with God the Father, eternal life, abundant joy, the help of the Holy Spirit. Those who accept Christ as their savior are freed from their sin, guilt and shame, and commissioned to continue Christ’s mission in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

Alive in Christ

You are loved! Jesus Christ is the Son of God and lived to show humanity the unconditional and perfect love of God. Jesus lived, suffered and died on a cross to reconcile us to God, to forgive us of our sin and make us a new creation for God’s glory. Jesus was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Christ is able to conquer death and he is able to overcome the sin in one’s life. If you are ready to repent of your sin and accept Christ’s gift of grace and salvation; here is a prayer of salvation you can pray:

 “Dear Lord, I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my salvation. I admit I am a sinner and have done many things that do not please you. I am sorry and I ask you to forgive me. I come to you now inviting you into my life and ask you to take control of my future. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I am thankful that I am a new creation. Amen”

We celebrate with you in your decision to become a Christian! Wondering what to do next…smile! You are a new creation, forgiven and unconditionally loved by God. You will want to get connected to a Christian community where you can live and share the love of Christ every day. If you would like help with some next steps (learning to pray, reading the bible, finding a church) please do not hesitate to contact us pastor@livinglifechurch.com