Jesus Christ is a man. Jesus Christ is also "very God of very God," as the ancient Nicene Creed of the church states. The Bible clearly reveals that Jesus Christ is both God and man– he is God in the flesh! This is one of the great wonders of history and is one of the essential truths of Christianity. This confession sets Christians apart from every other religion.

Jesus Christ is the beloved, only-begotten Son of God. From all eternity he has been God. He created all things, and yet in time he took on a created body and became a man. He did this because the world he had created in splendor and perfection was corrupted by man's sin and cursed. The Son of God became a man to save his world.

For the world to be saved, the Son had to die. The curse for sin was death, just as God had warned Adam in the Garden of Eden. God had told Adam if he sinned against him by disobeying him, he would "surely die." (Genesis 2)

Not only did Adam disobey God, but everyone since this first man is equally guilty of disobedience towards God. The Bible clearly states what we all know to be true, "all have sinned." (Romans 3). And since we have all sinned, the same curse of God hangs over each of our heads– the curse of death.

Death is a universal human reality. We will all die. And we will die because of our sins. As terrible as this reality is, there is another kind of death that is even worse. The Bible speaks of a "second death" that comes after the death of our bodies. This second death is the eternal death of judgment and separation from God and all his goodness. This second death is also called "hell."

The Son of God became a man so that he could die. And Jesus did die on a Roman cross. Jesus also rose from the dead, showing that he had indeed conquered death! And by conquering death he has made it possible for all mankind to be saved from eternal death and to receive eternal life instead.

John 3:16 expresses this truth clearly, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

This verse also explains how we, as individual sinners who would otherwise be destroyed in our sin, can receive the life and salvation that God is extending to everyone through his Son Jesus Christ. What must I do to be saved and receive eternal life, you may ask? The answer is not hard: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved!"

When the Bible says "believe", it means that we are to receive as true everything the Bible tells us. It also means that we are to put our trust and hope in God's Word, too. Belief and trust (or "faith") go hand in hand. Believing in Jesus Christ is putting all your confidence in him and in what he has done for you. This also includes confessing your sin and repenting of it. Those who come to Jesus turn away from their sin.

If you have believed in Jesus Christ in this way, you have become one of his brothers and disciples. Jesus has many disciples in the world and a true disciple always wants to be joined together with other disciples and brothers. The church is the gathering of Christ's disciple – his family of brothers and sisters.

If you have become one of Christ's brothers then you need to join yourself to a local congregation of fellow brothers of Jesus. You need the protection and care of his family, and you need to join with them in serving the Lord Jesus.

Please join us for worship on the Lord's Day. We would be delighted to help you as you begin your new life as one of Christ's disciples.