2. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psalm 51:5
For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
When we are born, we are born separated from God.
All are sinners. We have no power on our own whereby
we can reach God. Yet, if we continue in sin, all we
have to look forward to is death.
3. Even though we could not reach
God, He could reach us. He
provided a ladder in order for us to
reach Him.
4. For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
That ladder came in the form of a cross. The cross
reached across the void that separated us from God
and allowed us to reach Him.
5. But as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even to
them that believe on his name.
John 1:12
In order to take advantage of the cross, we have to
believe Him and receive Him into our hearts.
6. And, having made peace through the
blood of his cross, by him to
reconcile all things unto himself; by him,
I say, whether they be
things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:20
As this passage of scripture shows, the cross brought
peace between us and God.
7. The Sinner’s Prayer
…whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them (sins) shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner.
Please forgive me and come in and be
the Lord of my life. You are God.
I want to belong to you.
Thank you!
In order to receive Him, we have to ask Him into our heart.
We have to confess our sin. You can pray a prayer like the
one above. But remember, it comes down to the sincerity of
the heart, not the correctness of the words.
8. Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood,
to declare his righteousness for the
remission of SINS THAT ARE PAST,
through the
forbearance of God.
Romans 3:25
This passage points out that God has satisfied His Own anger
over our sin. He has paid for it Himself. There is therefore
no reason for us to remain separated from Him any longer.
9. Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood,
to declare his righteousness for the
remission of SINS THAT ARE PAST,
through the
forbearance of God.
Romans 3:25
This passage also points out that He has forgiven us for the
“sins that are past.” But what about any sins I commit in
the future? God actually provides a means whereby we can
live free from sin.
11. Wrong
Right
The Conflict
Though you are now saved, there is a war going on
inside of you. You want to do right because you know
Jesus would like this. But there is still a desire, a pull,
toward that which is sin.
12. The Conflict
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no
good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to
perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do.
Romans 7:18, 19
Paul writes about this inner conflict that goes on within the
new Christian. It is clear that your soul feels as if it is at war!
13. The Conflict
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the
other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:17
Another passage that talks about what is going on inside of
you is found here in Galatians. It talks about the pull, or lust,
of the flesh as it works against the move of the Spirit in
our lives.
14. The Need for a Second Work
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and
to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3, 7
This passage points out three things we need to remember.
15. The Need for a Second Work
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and
to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3, 7
First, notice that Paul is writing to Christians. He calls the readers
“brethren.”
16. The Need for a Second Work
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and
to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3, 7
Next, Paul tells these brethren that they need something else.
They need “sanctification.”
17. The Need for a Second Work
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and
to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3, 7
Last, Paul shows that “holiness” is required of the Christian. This
type of living is made possible when the “desire to sin” is killed.
18. The Need for a Second Work
Having therefore these promises,
dearly beloved
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Another passage that points out the need for sanctification, which
removes the desire to sin, is found here. In this passage, Paul is again
writing to Christians because he calls them “dearly beloved.”
19. The Need for a Second Work
Having therefore these promises,
dearly beloved,
dearly beloved
let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Then he tells them that as Christians we need a second experience
with God. We need to “cleanse ourselves.”
20. The Answer
Right Wrong
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of
this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord….
Romans 7:24, 25a
Romans asks the question of how to deal with this problem. Then it
tells us how to deal with it. We must go back to “Jesus Christ our
Lord.” Jesus takes away the desire to sin.
21. The Answer
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the
people with his own blood, suffered without the
gate.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the
camp, bearing his reproach.
Hebrews 13:12, 13
Hebrews 13 shows again that we must go to Christ for the
cleansing that comes with sanctification. All we have to do is ask.
23. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20
“…I am with you alway(s),
even unto the end of the
world.”
Jesus gave this promise, and then immediately ascended into heaven.
Here He is telling the disciples He will never leave them, and then He
leaves them!
24. John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth,
is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will show
you things to come.
Jesus had already prepared for this situation.
He told them beforehand that He would send the Holy Ghost,
Who would lead them into the knowledge of Spiritual things.
25. Jesus knew that after His ascension
into heaven, His Presence in this
world would be strictly Spiritual. But
the church did not have the ability to
see the things of the Spirit.
Therefore, Jesus sent the Holy Ghost
to fulfill John 16:13 and help the
disciples to see the things of the
Spirit. It takes the baptism of the
Holy Ghost to see Jesus in His Spirit.
26. Of equal importance to being able to see
the things of the Spirit was doing the will
of God on the earth. Even though Jesus
appeared to the disciples after His
resurrection for several days explaining the
scriptures as they applied to Him,
according to John 21:3 they were not yet
ready to begin the work assigned to them.
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing.
They say unto him, We also go with thee.
They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately;
and that night they caught nothing.
27. But as He was about to ascend up into
heaven, He told them specifically in
Acts 1:4 to
…wait for the promise of the Father,
which, …ye have heard of me.
28. In Mark 16:17, He told them they
would “speak with new tongues.”
Isaiah 28:11 says, “For with
stammering lips and another tongue
will he speak to this people.”
29. In order to fulfill the commission to “go into all
the world and preach the Gospel,” we must
receive the Holy Ghost with the
evidence of speaking in tongues.
30. Acts 8:17 says, “Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 10:44 says, “While
Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all
them which heard the word.” These two verses indicate
that there is no one method by which we can obtain the
Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:14, the church was gathered
together in prayer to wait for the Holy Ghost. Later
disciples would no longer have to wait, but it does seem
that the Day of Pentecost illustrates the need to come
before God for this experience. We can receive this
blessing by asking. If we are with other believers as we
seek for the Holy Ghost, they can lay hands on you and
pray, though you can receive the Holy Ghost as you pray
alone at home.
32. In order to help you grow in the Lord,
there are a few things you should do
to open the door for God to continue
to work in your life. Only God could
save you, and only God can keep you.
But it is also possible to close the
door and resist Him. In order to open
the door for more opportunities for
growth in the Spirit, you should…
33. Study God’s Word
Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of
Truth.”
Reading the Word opens the
door of communication
between you and God. He
speaks to us through His
Word and reveals more of
Himself to us.
34. Attend Church
Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not
forsaking the assembling of
yourselves together….”
You should attend church. In church you
gain the support of other believers. You are
also a support to them, even though you are
still young in the Lord. Church is also a good
place to go and worship God with other
believers. Avoid the tendency to jump from
one church to another. This will cause you to
be unstable. Committing to a local body will
enable you to connect with others in
relationships that will facilitate the growth
you need.
35. Pray
First Thessalonians 5:17 says,
“Pray without ceasing.”
This verse points out that we should always be in prayer.
It demonstrates is that we can pray anywhere, anytime.
Of course, it is sometimes important to find a quiet place where
you and the Lord can be alone. But you should always find time
for prayer.
36. Witness
Witness to others of what you have experienced.
Acts 1:8 says, “Ye shall receive Power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me….”
Witnessing will help others see the miracle that has happened in you. It will also help you to get
stronger. Avoid trying to be a theologian. Quoting scripture is good. But your primary
responsibility is not quoting one hundred verses. A witness tells what he or she has seen or
experienced. Focus on what God has done for you, and you will grow in the Lord. Also, others
will sense the passion of your heart and be more eager to meet Christ.
37. These steps will help you in
your walk in Jesus Christ.
Please let us know of your
decision to follow Jesus.
You can contact us at any of the methods listed on our homepage.
We would love to hear from you.
May God bless you!
