Living In Christ

Beginning Your New Walk of Faith

(Follow-up from the “My Hope” Project)

Lesson 1

Over the next few weeks we will be reviewing a booklet given through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, to those who make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  The following is a copy of that book so we will be prepared to take advantage of the excellent material that is offered.  I have added some of my own notes and have normally put those in brackets [ ] to distinguish them from the booklet, “Living in Christ”.

This will be a review for many of you who have attended Bible teaching churches and who know Jesus Christ as your Savior, but it is an excellent review of the Biblical instruction regarding how a person who has broken God’s Laws can be reconciled with God.

Billy Graham’s Introduction

The very beginning of the booklet gives a four-point introduction to the Christian life, by Billy Graham, which is as follows:

God wants you to enjoy a full and rewarding life and has made every provision for this.  Here are some basic facts about this life.

First, the Bible is food for spiritual life, and your spiritual life needs to be nourished, just as your body does.

•Start with the book of John [the 4th book in the New Testament], if you are not in the habit of reading the Bible.  Try to read a chapter a day.

o[The Bible is divided into two primary sections:

1. • The books written before Christ came are called “The Old Testament”, which are stories and statements pointing to the promised Messiah.
   

1. • The books written after Christ came are called “The New Testament”, which reveal Jesus Christ as the prophesied Messiah, Savior from sin, and the coming Eternal King.]
   

•[Since the Bible is God’s Word, it is wise to redirect our ordinarily carnal minds by forming a daily habit of reading and meditating on passages from the Bible.  It is good to meditate on several verses or a chapter a day, so our hearts will be filled with His Word and our daily lives transformed by His Thoughts (Romans 12:1-2).]

•The booklet we are reviewing is a follow-up study for those who have recently accepted Christ as their Savior or who are returning to Christ.  It has four Bible Study lessons for us to study, including Bible verses for us to memorize.

o[The verses to memorize for this first lesson are:

1. •  John 3:16, and
   

2. •  1 John 1:9]
   

Get started right away reading the Bible and working on the verses emphasized to be memorized.  [If memorizing is difficult for you try reading the verses you wish to memorize out loud every day all month, and you will be surprised on how embedded they can become in your mind].  As you study and memorize, the Bible will help you grow and become a useful and fruitful Christian.

Second, prayer is your lifeline to God. 

Form the positive habit of starting each day with a few minutes in prayer.  Conversation with God may seem strange at first, and you may find it hard to know what to say.

•[You can also read a Psalm as your prayer and use its words to express your thoughts to God.]

As you continue to pray, your prayers will become more personal and meaningful.  So start each day with prayer, and then learn to pray throughout the day as needs arise.  Take all of your problems and burdens to God, because He is interested in everything you do.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!” (1 Peter 5:7)

Third, a Christian is to be Christ’s witness.  You are to be an ambassador for Him wherever you go. 

This doesn’t mean that you go up and down the street confronting everyone you meet.  It does mean, however, that you start living a life that is different; then pray each day that you might share Christ with others, and watch God bring the opportunities!  As you faithfully study and memorize the Scriptures, you will become better equipped to do this.

Fourth, you can’t be an effective Christian on your own.

[You must rely on the power of God’s Holy Spirit within you to empower you to be a spiritual witness for Him, if you have invited Christ into your life and have been born again by His Spirit.] 

If you are not already involved in a church, get involved where the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed.

The step of faith you have taken does not mean that all your problems are automatically solved.  In fact, you may find you have some new ones!  You will find that the devil, who is God’s enemy and yours, will try to spoil the work God is doing in you.  He will try to make you seriously doubt your faith in Christ.  There is only one way to defeat Satan, and that is through the Word of God.  Follow the example of Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness.  Each time the devil tempted Him, He reminded Himself of God’s Word by quoting Scripture (see Matthew 4:4,7,10).

[Lesson One’s Four Promises

Following the Introduction by Billy Graham, the “Living in Christ” Booklet, in its first lesson, emphasizes our need for Salvation, and then gives four promises that God offers to His Children in Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.]

Lesson 1:  Knowing Christ

This is a review of some basic truths about Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers.

Our Need for Salvation

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

All people are sinners and are under God’s judgment.  The Bible shows this clearly, and common sense shows it as well.  Though you may know many people who seem to be morally “better” than others, you probably don’t know anyone who never makes a mistake.

The consequence of human sin and imperfection is eternal separation from God, who is holy and perfect.  And since God is the very source of life, eternal separation from Him means eternal death: 

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

[What is “Salvation”?

•God’s Unparalleled Love:  Unmatched Love from God for the world – to whom He gave the ultimate sacrifice of His Son for sin, and an unconditional love for those who receive His Gift of Life, which is awesomely deep, Sacrificially redemptive, and eternally profound.

•God’s Complete Forgiveness:  Total cleansing from the guilt and penalty of our sin, because of Christ’s Sacrifice.

•God’s Incomprehensible Mercy and Justice:  God bestows eternal and comprehensive Mercy for those who receive the Salvation provided by His Son’s Sacrifice.  But, in serious contrast, God will also deal severely in justice and judgment against the unrepentant and rebellious for their wrongs, abusiveness, and carnal destructiveness.]

Four Promises that God Gives His Children through His Son, Jesus Christ

Promise 1: The Promise of Salvation

The Bible talks about something called “salvation,” which means being set free from the consequences of sin (eternal death) and experiencing peace with God and the assurance that we can live forever with Him.  John 3:16, perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible, explains clearly how you can have salvation and eternal life:

“For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish

but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

John 3:16… One Phrase at a Time

Let’s look at this verse one phrase at a time to better understand the simple but profound truth it proclaims: 

“For God so loved the world…”

The “world” includes you and every other individual on the face of the earth.  God does love you, and the next part of the verse shows just how much He loves you: 

“…that He gave His one and only Son…”

How did God give His Son?

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid the penalty for your sins when He died on the cross.  He took all your sins and died once for all.  As He died He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), meaning that He had truly done everything necessary for your salvation.

As the Son of God, Jesus is equal to God Himself.  He is part of what theologians call the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Amazingly, however, even though Jesus was equal to God the Father (John 1:1-3; 10:30).  He freely chose to become a human being and die for us (Philippians 2:5-8).

How should you respond to Christ’s death on the cross?

“…that whoever believes in Him shall not perish…” 

If you believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and accept Him as your Savior, you will not have to pay the eternal penalty for your sins – because Jesus paid that penalty for you when He died on the cross.

“…but have eternal life.” 

Instead of eternal death and separation from God., you will have eternal life.  Eternal life is a present possession for all who believe.  The moment you trust Christ.

•Your sins are forgiven (Colossians 1:14).

•You become a child of God (John 1:12).

•You possess eternal life (John 3:16).

Have you personally trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

If so, then on the authority of God’s Word you have eternal life.  If not, you can trust Him right now!  The Bible says,

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

You can receive Jesus Christ into your life right now by praying a prayer such as this. 

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.  I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I turn from running my own life, and now I ask you to run it.  I invite You to come into my heart and life. 

I trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

To be assured of salvation, simply take God at His Word.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”  (John 3:16).

Commit John 3:16 to your memory…to your heart, and if you ever have occasion to doubt your salvation, use this verse as an anchor for your faith!

Promise 2: The Promise of Victory Over Temptation

If Satan cannot make you doubt your salvation, he will concentrate on some area of spiritual weakness in your life.  Don’t be surprised when this happens!  Rather, learn to take your eyes off your own weaknesses and put your trust in Jesus Christ, who is able to help you:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

When you are troubled by temptation, remember:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

You may think that you are the only one who is tempted, but all believers go through similar tests.  Temptation is not a sin.  Even Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15).  The sin comes only when you give in to the temptation.

To overcome temptation, take the problem to God immediately, before it has a chance to take root.  Be positive in your prayers.  Don’t concentrate on the thing that is tempting you, but think about godly things:

“…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Ask God to bring such experiences and thoughts into your life.  Meditate on

1 Corinthians 10:13 (quoted earlier) and rely on its promises whenever you are tempted.

Promise 3: The Promise of Forgiveness

You will find that learning to live the Christian life is like learning to walk.  There will be many ups and downs, especially in the beginning.  This is natural, as the psalmist point out:

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; thought he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).

The devil wants to trip you up and cause you to fall.  Sin hinders our relationship with God, and Satan would love to keep you in a constant condition of being out of fellowship with God!

When you were learning to walk, you often fell down.  But did you stay down long?  No, you reached out to the extended hand of your mother or father, who put you back on your feet.  This happened often, until finally you learned to walk.  You can learn to walk with God the same way:  When you fall, reach out to God through prayer, and accept His merciful helping hand:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 – one of our memory verses).

Whenever you do something that displeases the Lord, as soon as the Spirit of God has made you aware of it, make things right with God.  As you do this again and again, you will come to know – firsthand! – the mercy and forgiveness of God and the joy of walking in constant fellowship with Him.  Memorize 1 John 1:9 and practice it daily.  Take God at His Word and believe Him for forgiveness and cleansing.

Promise 4: The Promise of His Presence

Because you are human, it will be natural for you to doubt, to be frustrated at times, and to feel weak and all alone.  But you are never alone; Christ is in you (Colossians 1:27), and He wants to help you become the kind of person He wants you to be:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6)

God will meet your every need and will take care of you daily. [It may not be met the way we want it to be met, or fulfilled the way we might expect, but as His children, we can cry out to Him, who is our Heavenly Father, for His daily, moment-by-moment provision and help!]

“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b).

You can also experience God’s presence through His indwelling Holy Spirit.  Jesus knew His followers’ weaknesses and need for greater spiritual strength.  He wanted them to know that even though He would not be present with them personally, the Holy Spirit, whom we have seen is a part of the Trinity, would take His place and meet their every need.  He gave them this promise.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16, HCSB)

The Holy Spirit can be your Counselor or, as some Bible translations read, your “Comforter.”  He can also be your teacher.  As you read your Bible and ask God to help you understand this wonderful truth…

•The indwelling Spirit will “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). 

•He will also lead you (Romans 8:14), enrich your spiritual life (John 6:63; Romans 8:11);

•He will empower you for Christian living (Galatians 5)

•And for dynamic witness to others about your faith (Acts 1:8).

The promises of salvation, of victory over temptation, of forgiveness, and of God’s abiding presence are yours this very day.  Practice God’s presence, believe His promises, and walk in absolute dependence on His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Lesson 1:

Your Response

1.  What did Jesus come into the world to do?

John 1:29

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29 ____________________________________________________________________

2.  How did Jesus take away the sins of the world? 

John 19:16–18

16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

John 19:16-18________________________________________________________

3.  God loved the world and gave His Son to die on the cross. 

John 3:16 tells how we can personally benefit from what God has done.

(a)  Fill in your first name in each of the following blank spaces:

“For God loved _______________so much that He gave His only Son (Jesus) so

that if _______________ believes in Him, _______________ will not perish (pay the

penalty for sin), but _______________ will have eternal life.”

(b)  Physical life will end someday, but the life, which God wants to give each one of us is eternal life, which means that it will never end.

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

What must you do to have eternal life?

John 3:16 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

4.  What new relationship do you now enjoy by believing in Christ?

John 1:12

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 1:12_______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

5.  What happens to those who do not believe in Christ?

John 3:18

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

(a)  John 3:18 __________________________________________________________________

John 3:36

36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

(b)  John 3:36  __________________________________________________________________

6.  Eternal life is not obtained by being religious, keeping a set of rules, or doing good works, but by believing in a person, Jesus Christ.  What does Jesus say in

John 11:25-26?

John 11:25–26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26__________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

7.  What happens the moment you believe in Christ?

John 5:24

24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24 ___________________________________________________________________

8.  Now, review your answers and state briefly how you know that your sins are forgiven and that you have eternal life.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Final Thought:

Now that you have received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, claim the assurance of your salvation.  As a child needs physical food each day to grow, a child of God needs daily spiritual food.

1.  Memorize the two verses for Lesson 1.

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.