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
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!
…whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them (sins) shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
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
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.
The Conflict
12. 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
The Conflict
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. 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
The Conflict
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. 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
The Need for a Second Work
This passage points out three things we need to remember.
15. First, notice that Paul is writing to Christians. He calls the readers
“brethren.”
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
The Need for a Second Work
16. 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
The Need for a Second Work
Next, Paul tells these brethren that they need something else.
They need “sanctification.”
17. 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
The Need for a Second Work
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. dearly beloveddearly beloved
Having therefore these promises,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
The Need for a Second Work
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. 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
The Need for a Second Work
dearly beloveddearly beloved
cleanse ourselvescleanse ourselves
Then he tells them that as Christians we need a second experience
with God. We need to “cleanse ourselves.”
20. WrongRight
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
The Answer
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. 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
The Answer
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 28:20Jesus said in Matthew 28:20
“…“…I am with you alway(s),I am with you alway(s),
even unto the end of theeven unto the end of the
world.”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 16:13John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth,Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth,
is come, he will guide you into allis come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak oftruth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will showthat shall he speak: and he will show
you things to come.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 seeOf equal importance to being able to see
the things of the Spirit was doing the willthe things of the Spirit was doing the will
of God on the earth. Even though Jesusof God on the earth. Even though Jesus
appeared to the disciples after Hisappeared to the disciples after His
resurrection for several days explaining theresurrection for several days explaining the
scriptures as they applied to Him,scriptures as they applied to Him,
according to John 21:3 they were not yetaccording to John 21:3 they were not yet
ready to begin the work assigned to them.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 upBut as He was about to ascend up
into heaven, He told them specificallyinto heaven, He told them specifically
in Acts 1:4 toin 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 theyIn Mark 16:17, He told them they
would “speak with new tongues.”would “speak with new tongues.”
Isaiah 28:11 says, “For withIsaiah 28:11 says, “For with
stammering lips and another tonguestammering lips and another tongue
will he speak to this people.”will he speak to this people.”
29. In order to fulfill the commission to “go into allIn order to fulfill the commission to “go into all
the world and preach the Gospel,” we mustthe world and preach the Gospel,” we must
receive the Holy Ghost with thereceive the Holy Ghost with the
evidence of speaking in tongues.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,In order to help you grow in the Lord,
there are a few things you should dothere are a few things you should do
to open the door for God to continueto open the door for God to continue
to work in your life. Only God couldto work in your life. Only God could
save you, and only God can keepsave you, and only God can keep
you. But it is also possible to closeyou. But it is also possible to close
the door and resist Him. In order tothe door and resist Him. In order to
open the door for more opportunitiesopen the door for more opportunities
for growth in the Spirit, you should…for growth in the Spirit, you should…
33. Study God’s WordStudy God’s Word
Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Study toSecond Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, ashew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to beworkman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the Wordashamed, rightly dividing the Word
of Truth.”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 ChurchAttend Church
Hebrews 10:25 says, “NotHebrews 10:25 says, “Not
forsaking the assembling offorsaking the assembling of
yourselves together….”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. PrayPray
First Thessalonians 5:17 says,First Thessalonians 5:17 says,
“Pray without ceasing.”“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 to others of what you have experienced.Witness to others of what you have experienced.
Acts 1:8 says, “Ye shall receive Power, after that the Holy Ghost is comeActs 1:8 says, “Ye shall receive Power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me….”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 getWitnessing 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 primarystronger. 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 orresponsibility 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, othersexperienced. 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.will sense the passion of your heart and be more eager to meet Christ.
WitnessWitness
37. These steps will help you inThese steps will help you in
your walk in Jesus Christ.your walk in Jesus Christ.
Please let us know of yourPlease let us know of your
decision to follow Jesus.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!
Editor's Notes
Insert and play as soon as slide comes up
Welcome. We at the Villa Rica Church of God of Prophecy are glad you have chosen to view this presentation about the plan of salvation. We hope you will find it helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us by any of the methods made available on the home page.
The story is simple. When we are born, we are born separated from God. We could never reach God through our own power.
So God, in His mercy, built a ladder that would make Him available to us.
That ladder was in the form of a cross. His Son died on the cross to pay for our sins and open the way for us to reach God.
Colossians 1:20 says “And having made peace through 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 says “And having made peace through His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
Romans 3:25 says, “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.” Propitiation means God appease His Own anger over our sin by paying for it Himself.
God cleared our record. He cleansed us of all sins that are past. But what about any sins I may commit in the future?
Romans 3:25 says, “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.” Propitiation means God appease His Own anger over our sin by paying for it Himself.
God cleared our record. He cleansed us of all sins that are past. But what about any sins I may commit in the future?
Romans 3:25 says, “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.” Propitiation means God appease His Own anger over our sin by paying for it Himself.
God cleared our record. He cleansed us of all sins that are past. But what about any sins I may commit in the future?
The next step is to deal with the inner man. Even though you are now saved, there is something within you that has to die.
There is something a lot like a war going on inside of you. You want to do right because you believe and feel this would please Jesus. But there is still a very strong inner desire toward that which is sin.
Paul wrote of this inner conflict in Romans 7:18, 19. He writes
“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 I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
Paul went on to write in Galatians 5:17
“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.”
First Thessalonians 4:1-7 says,
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 ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know
not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have
forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
There are three things we need to understand from this passage:
He is writing to Christians. He uses the word “brethren.”
He uses the word “sanctification”, which is indicative of a need for further cleansing.
Last, but not least, he tells them God has called for holy living.
First Thessalonians 4:1-7 says,
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 ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know
not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have
forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
There are three things we need to understand from this passage:
He is writing to Christians. He uses the word “brethren.”
He uses the word “sanctification”, which is indicative of a need for further cleansing.
Last, but not least, he tells them God has called for holy living.
First Thessalonians 4:1-7 says,
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 ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know
not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have
forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
There are three things we need to understand from this passage:
He is writing to Christians. He uses the word “brethren.”
He uses the word “sanctification”, which is indicative of a need for further cleansing.
Last, but not least, he tells them God has called for holy living.
First Thessalonians 4:1-7 says,
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 ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know
not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have
forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
There are three things we need to understand from this passage:
He is writing to Christians. He uses the word “brethren.”
He uses the word “sanctification”, which is indicative of a need for further cleansing.
Last, but not least, he tells them God has called for holy living.
Second Corinthians 7:1 confirms what we have already seen. It says
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
This passage show that Paul felt it necessary to write to “brethren” about furthering “cleansing.”
Second Corinthians 7:1 confirms what we have already seen. It says
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
This passage show that Paul felt it necessary to write to “brethren” about furthering “cleansing.”
How do we get this further cleansing? Romans 8:24, 25 asks this very question. Paul writes, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer is “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When we go to Him, He cleanses us and helps us to turn away from the desire to sin. He crucifies this desire so that we can now desire and do the will of God.
Hebrews 13:12, 13 verifies that it is through going back to Jesus that we receive the experience of sanctification. It says,
“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.”
After we receive the experiences of salvation and sanctification, there is a gift we can receive that will help us live the Christian life to the fullest. It is called the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said “I am with you always, (or always) even unto the end of the world.”
In John 16:13, He had already told the disciples that the Spirit would be needed so that they could understand Jesus, Who would then be among us in a Spiritual state.
Though Jesus said He would always be with us, it was necessary for we humans to have some help to see Him. After all, since He was resurrected, His Presence in this world is strictly Spiritual. It takes the baptism of the Holy Ghost to see Him.
Even after Jesus had begun to appear to the disciples in His resurrected state, the disciples were not ready for a revival. At one point, they decided to go fishing.
“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.” (John 21:3)
This was an indication that they were having second thoughts about their calling.
But Jesus understood this. He told them as He was about to ascend up into heaven,
“wait for the promise of the Father, which…ye have heard of me.”
He wanted them to be prepared for the work ahead, and He knew better than they did that they needed something else.
This extra Power would come in the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The evidence of the Presence of the Holy Spirit would be the new tongues that would come when He did.
Mark 16:17 specifically says the disciples would “speak with new tongues.” Isaiah had prophesied this when He wrote “For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.”
It is obvious that the church needed the Holy Ghost to do the work Jesus had left for them to do. Today, we must also receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
In Acts 8:17, it 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 them which heard the word.” These verses point out a very important point. There is no one method to use in receiving the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:14 tells us the church was waiting for the Holy Ghost They prayed and waited. But later in the book of Acts, those seeking did not have to wait. They did, however, have to come to God to get the Holy Ghost.
You can receive the Holy Ghost at home alone. However, if You are gathered with Holy Ghost-filled believers, they can lay their hands on you and you can receive this gift.
After you have received salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, what do you do next?
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 can save you, and only God can keep you saved. But it is possible for you to resist Him as He attempts to move in your heart. In order to open he door for more opportunities for growth in the Spirit, you should…
Study God’s Word, the Bible. 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.”
Studying the Word under the supervision of the Holy Ghost will lead you to greater knowledge of Jesus and what it means to live in Him.
Next, be sure and attend church. Seek the Lord in this decision, but then settle where He leads you. Hebrews 10:25 speaks a word of warning by saying, “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together.” The reasons for this are several. First, you need the support of others as you grow in the Lord. The fellowship of other Christians will be of great importance as you seek God for a fuller life. Second, you should attend church because others can and will be blessed by you. Your attendance will be of great importance to Christians of all ages.
Settle in a church. Going from one church to another defeats the purpose of fellowship. Demonstrate that you are willing to commit yourself to God by serving others. The independent spirit can be a detriment to Christian life when it keeps you from committing to the group.
Be sure to pray. While it is good to fellowship with people, your Life comes from you connection and communion with God. First Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” This shows we can pray anywhere, anytime. Talk to God. He wants to talk to you.
Acts 1:8 tells us we receive “Power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon (us)”. This is so that we can tell others what we have experienced. The Bible specifically uses the word “witnesses.” A witness tells what he or she knows. Avoid trying to tell others only what has happened to other Christians. Be sure to tell them what has happened to you. You will be more passionate about your own experience, and people will see this. You are not required to be a theologian and quote hundreds of scriptures passages. Quoting the Bible is helpful, but you mainly are responsible for telling your story. This will strengthen you and help others see the Lord.
Please use these steps to open the door to what God wants to do in your life. We at the Villa Rica Church of God of Prophecy want to hear from you. If you have asked the Lord to save you or to give you any one or more of the experiences talked about in this presentation, please let us know. You can contact us by email, phone, or snail mail at the numbers and addresses listed on o9u5r home page. May God bless you! See you in church!