What Makes Me A Christian? 12:13 Series -- Fall 2007

This Week’s Contests THANKSGIVING EXTREMES  Most family and friends gathered for the Thanksgiving meal  Furthest distance traveled (round- trip)  Funniest Thanksgiving moment  Most family and friends gathered for the Thanksgiving meal  Furthest distance traveled (round- trip)  Funniest Thanksgiving moment

Quick Review  Artificial tree vs. real tree  External things (speech, actions, etc.) can point to a Christian but cannot produce a Christian  A Christian is a new creation made alive by the mercy of God through Jesus Christ  Artificial tree vs. real tree  External things (speech, actions, etc.) can point to a Christian but cannot produce a Christian  A Christian is a new creation made alive by the mercy of God through Jesus Christ

In The Beginning… In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… (Genesis 1:1)

Where It All Began Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:3-4)  Salvation begins with God’s choice Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:3-4)  Salvation begins with God’s choice

Why It Matters  Because God never changes,  He won’t change his mind about me  Because God knew me completely,  He won’t be disappointed with me  Because I didn’t earn my salvation,  I can never lose it!  Because God never changes,  He won’t change his mind about me  Because God knew me completely,  He won’t be disappointed with me  Because I didn’t earn my salvation,  I can never lose it!

Before There Was Time  Before there was time  There were visions in your mind  There was death in the fall of mankind  There was life in salvation’s design  Before there was time  There were visions in your mind  There was death in the fall of mankind  There was life in salvation’s design

Before There Was Time  Before there were days  There were nights I could not see your face  But the night couldn’t keep me from grace  When you came and you took my place  Before there were days  There were nights I could not see your face  But the night couldn’t keep me from grace  When you came and you took my place

Before There Was Time  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises  Of the One who saved me  And the promises He made  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises  Of the One who saved me  And the promises He made

Before There Was Time  Before there was time  You counted the hairs on my head  You knew all the words that I said  You purchased me back from the dead  Before there was time  You counted the hairs on my head  You knew all the words that I said  You purchased me back from the dead

Before There Was Time  Before I was made  You searched me and knew my ways  You numbered all of my days  And set forth the steps that I’d take  Before I was made  You searched me and knew my ways  You numbered all of my days  And set forth the steps that I’d take

Before There Was Time  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises  Of the One who saved me  And the promises He made  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises  Of the One who saved me  And the promises He made

Before There Was Time  You saved me  You raised me  You saved me  You pulled me from the grave!  You saved me  You raised me  You saved me  You pulled me from the grave!

Before There Was Time  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises  So I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises

Before There Was Time  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises of the One who saved me  And the promises He made  Before there was time  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God, Ancient of Days”  I cry, “Holy, only begotten Son of God”  And sing the praises of the One who saved me  And the promises He made  Before there was time

The Book of Life  Is my name in it?

Next Week’s Contest THE 1-SENTENCE GOSPEL  In your own words, define the gospel in one sentence.  your definition by NOON on Friday to  In your own words, define the gospel in one sentence.  your definition by NOON on Friday to