We’re so pleased that you have taken the time to visit our website and learn more about the packet that we recently dropped off at your doorstep. Yours is one of about 11,000 homes that we delivered such packets to. Why have we undertaken such a large, expensive task? It is for one very simple reason: we care about the souls of the people in our hometown — Franklin, Indiana.

The most important part of the packet that we’ve shared with you is the copy of the Gospel of John. This Gospel is the fourth book in the New Testament, and its purpose is very clearly stated right within its own pages:

Did you know that all men are born dead? That is spiritually dead, separated from God by a sinful nature and practices. The Gospel of John was written to show men how they might be reconciled to God and receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

John begins by explaining that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), “and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a). Christ’s coming as a man was the fulfillment of a prophecy made hundreds of years earlier by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

To understand why God needed to come to earth as a man, you need a little background information. In the beginning, God created all things (John 1:3). He created man, male and female, in His own image, and man’s responsibility was to “fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b). But Adam, the first man, disobeyed God. As the representative head of the human race, Adam brought the condemnation of God upon all men. Sin and death entered the world because of Adam’s disobedience, and every person born after Adam has been born spiritually dead and condemned to eternal separation from God in Hell. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Mankind needed a “second Adam” who could right the wrong done by the first Adam. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, is the Second Adam. “For as by one man’s [Adam's] disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Christ] shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Just as Adam brought condemnation and death upon those whom he represented, so Jesus Christ brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those whom He represents. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25).

Before Christ came, God required men to sacrifice a lamb as a temporary covering for their sins. Because it was temporary, sacrifices had to be made often. But Jesus came to be the final sacrifice for man’s sin. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In order to pay for man’s sins, Jesus had to be sinless Himself. Because the first Adam had disobeyed God, Jesus Christ, the “Second Adam,” had to obey God the Father perfectly. Jesus said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38 and 40).

The Gospel of John records Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross (Chapter 19) and his victorious resurrection from the dead (Chapter 20). Because Jesus lives, those who believe in Him have eternal life as well. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

There is no other way to receive eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). The good news is that Jesus has promised to give eternal life to all who come to Him in faith. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Dear Friend, if you have not repented of your sin and placed your faith in Jesus Christ, then you are still dead. You are under the wrath and condemnation of God. John 3:18b says, “He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Will you not believe today? “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

A Special Invitation

We’d like to extend a special invitation to you to bring your new Gospel of John to our Sunday morning services as Pastor Henry continues preaching through the entire book. If you are unable to attend, please at least visit the audio sermons area of our website and listen to the sermons online. And then let us know if you have received a blessing from them or have any questions that we can help you with.