1/Discipleship:

Are you born again ??? If you want to go to Heaven you must be! Many people are religious . They like to do religious things. The worlds is full of religions. It is very confusing Hinduism says come this way. Buddhist say this way, Mormons say this way, Islam says this way, 7th Day Adventist this way, there are hundreds of religions and denominations in England. They make men feel better, unfortunately and tragically, many religions deceive.

Religion and its dangers . Religion tries to change the man from the outside. It makes rules. Do not smoke, do not drink, do not take drugs . Go to church, give your money. Sadly, tragically, it is possible to do these things without being ” Born Again”!!

So religion is “rules”. Usually men’s rules. Jesus said “Come unto me” Not to a denomination or a doctrine of man. Jesus did not invite you to the Pentecostal, Baptist or Catholic Church nor to any charismatic group, however likeable or well meaning.
We either have religion or a relationship with Jesus Christ. Christ in our hearts by Faith.

Consider the thief on the cross

He could not be religious. He could not light a candle. He could not go to mass, he could not go to Mecca, he could not be baptised, he could not read a bible, he could not go on a pilgrimage. He was crucified, hanging on a cross and he was dying. He was guilty. He deserved to die How could he be saved?

1/ He looked, a dying man looked,

What did he se? Her saw Jesus, He saw the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the World. He actually saw the Blood. The precious blood of Jesus as he suffered on the cross as a sacrifice a substitute lamb, an innocent lamb slain for sinners.
2/ He believed. For he called Jesus Lord. “ No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit” .

3/ He prayed, It was a desperate prayer. He cried out to God. “Lord when thou comest into thy kingdom remember me” It was a selfish prayer, but it was a dying man, A man without any hope.
Jesus answered the thief’s hearts cry immediately. “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise”. This was a promise There were no rules, no conditions. A sinner cried out to God in repentance, looking to Jesus calling Him Lord and having Faith.

Read: Hebrews 11

Sin

God Hates sin But God loves sinners

Read: Jeremiah 17 v 9-10 Truly the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked ………….
Sin is not always what we do? Sin is what we are. God is Holy . We are sinners.

What is sin? Some comfort themselves saying ”I have not committed murder, I am not a thief, or I have not committed adultery” But Jesus says the heart is full of sin. That is your heart, my heart.

Mark 7 v 21 . For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

A warning is given in the Bible. “But the fearful, and unbelieving and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”. Revelation 21 v 8

“Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14 v 23

Actually the only barrier between you and a Holy God is your un confessed sin!!

All sin can be forgiven by God!!! If we truly…. Repent.

In the Old Testament Tabernacle a curtain separated the priests from the Holy of Holy’s . The High Priest could only enter once a year after blood sacrifice. Yet when Jesus died on the cross of Calvary for sinners the curtain in the temple at Jerusalem was torn in two. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Luke 23 v 45

God thus indicating that access was now made for all sinners to approach God through the shed blood of Jesus . All sin can be forgiven by God !!!

Except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost: Matthew 12 v 31 Therefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.

That is not believing what the Holy Spirit (God) says in His word. The Holy Spirit, “Inspired” men to write the bible. The Holy Spirit wrote the Book.., Read 2 Timothy 3 v 16

So, not believing the Gospel, is sin, and is calling the Holy Spirit a liar!!! Revelation 21 v 8
No Liar shall enter heaven. One more warning about Sin.

If we sin wilfully there is no forgiveness..

This refers to apostasy. For if we sin wilfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, Hebrews 10 v 26-27

There are sins of Omission and sins of Commission

That is things we should have done but have not done = Omission.
Then sins that we have done that we should not have done = Commission.

Sinning wilfully is resisting the Holy Ghost. This is deliberately turning you back on God and though once you believed you deliberately reject God and His Christ.

Read about the Impossible…. Hebrews 6 v 4-6

“It is impossible to those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted of the good Word of God, and of the Powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame”…. This is known as apostasy .