Introduction

·        Illustration: The Friday the 13th Club scoffs at bad luck and deliberately defies superstitious rules, like stepping on a sidewalk crack or walking under a ladder.

·        Illustration: Both Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to sit at a table with 13 people because it was bad luck.

·        Our modern culture, ironically, picks and chooses what they believe about things that are mutually exclusive, such as religion and faith.

      -     Illustration: Several people are interviewed who believe Jesus was a moral      teacher, but dislike his exclusivity as the Son of God.

·        Jesus alone is the pathway to salvation.

Sin is a problem for every one of us.

·        Illustration: A humorous story of two boys who learn the definition of sin.

·        The God of the Bible defines sin as breaking his rules of conduct.

·        Every major religion that exists today has developed a philosophy of how sin can be gotten rid of and how salvation can be gained.

·        Most plans for salvation have the premise of doing good to counterbalance the bad.

When sin is introduced into God’s presence, his holiness produces wrath.

·        Why couldn’t God have said, “I forgive your sins,” and be done with it?

·        Holiness is not a choice for God like it is with us; he is bound by his own nature, which is perfect and holy.

·        Sin is absolutely contrary to God’s nature and cannot be overlooked or denied.

      -     Illustration: When Helt's father stepped on a nail, the problem could not be put to        the side or ignored; it had to be dealt with immediately.

Humans and God are at an impasse that only Jesus can resolve.

·        Illustration: A bedridden woman calls the pastor to come and help her make a list of all she is willing to do if God heals her.

·        God’s holiness is tempered by his love.

·        Jesus, who is perfect and divine, could die as punishment for human sin, and God would accept us back into his presence.

·        Illustration: A Max Lucado quote summarizes Jesus' perfect solution to our sin.

·        Acts 4:12

Conclusion

·        Jesus’ primary mission was not to teach us how to be more godlike; that was his secondary mission.

·        Jesus’ primary mission was to come to Earth and live in such a way that he satisfied God’s standard of holiness and dies so that God might overlook our sin.

·        Only the blood of Jesus will take away our sins.