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VBS - 2008
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Welcome to First Lutheran! When visiting us, the thing we hope you
hear and remember most is the Gospel. But what is it and why is it so
important?
The Gospel
The Gospel is about Jesus Christ—it's the story containing promises given
us because of Him. The content of the Gospel is summarized in the second
part of the Apostle's Creed concerning Jesus Christ who was:
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose
again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of
God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the
dead.
But the Gospel isn't Gospel without seeing who we are under the law. The
law is God's revealed desire and command of good works of thought, word,
and deed. It says we are to live holy and blameless lives, just as God our
Father created us. More specifically, the law tells you to love God with
all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as
yourself. The law also tells us of God's wrath and punishment for being
unloving and wayward from His will and ways.
How are you doing? What does your own conscience tell you? Are you living
and loving God and your neighbor as you should? Or better yet, compare
your life to God's revealed law in Scripture—summarized by the Ten
Commandments. When being honest, we all know (and Scripture tells us) that
we do not keep God's law as we ought, perhaps not even close. Even if we
think we can keep it outwardly, then we struggle (and fail) to keep it
inwardly. Scripture tells us that we are by nature unable to do what the
law demands; therefore, everyone falls short. "Cursed is everyone who does
not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law" (Gal. 3:10).
The Gospel, therefore, becomes important when we hear the promise from God
that salvation and eternal life comes apart from the law.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). And:
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law"
(Romans 3:28).
God, out of pure love, offers salvation as a gift because of Jesus and the
forgiveness of sins in His name. The good news is that God freely offers
you forgiveness and life on account of the perfect life, death, and
resurrection of His Son Jesus. All your sins and debts are paid in full.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have God's blessing and assurance of His
love now and for eternal life. Repent, believe and be baptized, everyone
of you, and you will be saved. Because of this Gospel we proclaim, the
glory of God is here for you right now.
Want to know more? We encourage you to take a class at First Lutheran.
Call us today to enroll.
Confirmation Class 2008
First Lutheran Church and School -1207
Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
Telephone 865-524-0366 - School 865-524-0308
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