The Message of Jesus

The Message of Jesus
Key Passage: Matthew 4:12-17

Topic: Salvation
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17, KJV)

The core message of all Jesus said can be summed up in His statement, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because His Kingdom is near."

It was a simple but very serious command. Jesus basically told people if they wanted to know God they had to turn away from their sins. Or, to put it simply, stop doing bad things and start doing good things, stop living for yourself and live for God.

Now Jesus knows that we are all selfish people. We like to do things we want to do, things that make us happy, things that make us feel good. But Jesus tells us this is not what's best for us. What is best is to know God, to have a relationship with Him.

In order to do this, we must turn from doing bad things and turn to God. The Bible says we need to give up control of our life and give it to God. We need to live for God and not for ourselves. But we can't do it on our own. We need God's help.

So, if you want to really know God, if you want to have a relationship with Him, then start by admitting your need. Confess that you have done those things which are wrong.

Second, express your desire to turn from your old life and begin to live for God and not just for yourself. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for you and was raised back to life again (Romans 10:8-9).

Next, invite Jesus to come into your heart and life and save you from your sins (receive Him as your personal Savior). Thank God for making all this possible through His Son.

That's it! It's not complicated, but God never intended for it to be. It's God desire for all to come to a saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). So do it today.