“For This I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:37)
I. The Truth about God (Genesis 3)
God is the sovereign Creator of all things. He made the world and everything in it. He made you in His image and for His glory (Isaiah 43:7).
God is the powerful sustainer. He has sustained your life. He gives you every good thing you enjoy (James 1:17).
God is the final Judge. He judges by the standard of His own holy character. He judges by the standard of His own holy law. He judges justly (Genesis 18:25; Psalm 98:9).
II. The Truth about Man (Romans 5:12; Genesis 6:5-6; Romans 3:10-23; Isaiah 8:21-22)
We have turned away from God in our hearts and lives by sinning against Him. Our daily lives are marked by sin. Our hearts are corrupt. Alone, we cannot purify our hearts.
Because of our sin, we now have the just wrath of God hanging over us, with no hope of escape (…apart from change). You are under His wrath now. Wrath is increasing daily. No one can escape if they do not obey.
“For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples.” (Isaiah 60:2a)
But…
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)
III. The Truth about the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2; Matthew 1:18ff)
Jesus Christ reveals God’s character and demands. As God in flesh, Christ is His perfect revelation. We are to obey all that He has said.
He is the sin-bearer who has made the perfect atonement for sin. His righteousness is given to those who believe. His sacrifice turns God’s wrath from those who trust Him.
He is the resurrected Lord who, as King, has the right to rule over all and grant salvation to all that He pleases. He is ruling the world now and for all eternity. He alone has the power and authority to save.
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)
IV. The Truth about This Moment
God calls us to forsake our sin and submit ourselves wholly to His kind, compassionate, kingly authority. God calls all men and women everywhere to repent. Repentance includes turning from our sinful ways. God calls us to put al of our trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation from His coming wrath. We must trust His message. We must trust His work. We must trust Jesus Christ Himself.