Loved but Lost
We are all born as 'lost' people, but through trusting in Jesus, we can receive new life and become 'found'.
Charles Stanley preaches about the lost state of humanity due to Adam's sin, emphasizing that all people start life as lost individuals with a sin nature passed down through generations. He highlights the spiritual death and separation from God that mankind experiences, stressing the need for a new birth to have a relationship with God and be saved. Stanley underscores the eternal nature of human souls and the importance of accepting Jesus as Savior to avoid eternal separation from God.
Text
JOHN 3:15-17
1. All human beings start life as "lost" people.
Since he was the first man, Adam served as representative of the human race. When he sinned against God (Genesis 3), his spirit became one of rebellion and sinfulness. (Romans 5:12) That "sin nature," which is passed along to each generation, results in our being "lost." Neither our deeds nor the fact of God's love are the determining factors.
2. Mankind is dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) When Adam sinned, his intimate relationship with God died. We, his descendants, are born into that state. Although we are physically alive at birth, our spirit--the only part of us that can relate to God--is dead.
3. We are eternal beings. Because we are made in God's image, our souls are eternal. Yet Scripture tells us that those who reject Christ as Savior will perish. (John 3:16) This does not mean annihilation; it means that the "lost" will live forever but eternally separated from God.
4. New birth is required. (1 Peter 1:3) To have a relationship with God requires that the part of us which has been dead to God now become alive. When we trust in Jesus, the very life of God is born in us, and we move from being spiritually dead and lost to being alive and saved.
God, out of love for us, provided just what we needed--a Savior. Start spreading the truth!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - All human beings start life as 'lost' people - Adam's sin resulted in a 'sin nature' passed to each generation
- II points: - Mankind is dead in trespasses and sins - Our spirit is dead, but we are physically alive
- III points: - We are eternal beings - Those who reject Christ will live forever, separated from God
- IV points: - New birth is required - Trust in Jesus to become alive and saved
Key Quotes
“God, out of love for us, provided just what we needed--a Savior.” — Charles Stanley
“Start spreading the truth!” — Charles Stanley
“When we trust in Jesus, the very life of God is born in us,” — Charles Stanley
Application Points
- We must recognize our need for a Savior and trust in Jesus to be saved.
- We should spread the truth of God's love and salvation to others.
- We can experience new life and become 'found' through trusting in Jesus.