Antonio Stradivarius lived in Italy from The violins he made are now the most prized instruments in the world because of the rich,

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2 Antonio Stradivarius lived in Italy from The violins he made are now the most prized instruments in the world because of the rich, resonant sound they produce. But Stradivarius did not use expensive wood for his violins. Instead they were carved from discarded lumber. Stradivarius was very poor and could not afford fine materials like his contemporaries, so he picked up waterlogged pieces of wood from the dirty harbors where he lived and cleaned them up. From such trash he created instruments of rare beauty. Today we know that while that wood floated in those dirty harbors, microbes were eating out the center of those cells, leaving just the fibrous infrastructure. The hollow chambers made the wood more resonant. From wood that nobody wanted, Stradivarius produced violins that everybody wants. And that is what God does with us. God wants to transform the trash of our lives into the treasured image of His Son, Jesus Christ, making us instruments of beauty and grace. 2

3 or seeks medical assistance, he will eventually die. Just so is the fate of the sinner who fails to recognize his spiritual condition and seek aid. 3. Why will our sins or iniquities cause us to die? Isaiah 59:2 "Your sins have his face... that." God is the source of all life, and when the relationship between God and man was severed by Adam's sin, he began to die. Paul describes the result of Adam's sin: "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 LIVING FOREVER A GIFT 4. What good news are we given concerning eternal life? Romans 6:23 "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 5. Think for a moment! If you could earn salvation, would it be a gift? Your answer: Paul said, "For by grace [free love and favor of God] are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9 6. Why didn't God abandon rebellious man and leave him to suffer the consequence of sin? John 3:16 "For God so, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God's love for man who is terminally ill with the disease of sin perhaps can best be understood by a human illustration: A young couple brought home their firstborn from the hospital. Within a few days the baby was crying day and night. They followed their physician's advice but the baby kept crying. They walked the floor until they were exhausted, but not once did they consider giving the child away or leaving it to suffer alone. Why? They loved 3

4 it! In fact, they loved the child all the more because of the pain and suffering it had to endure. That's what God is like. It was never in God's preplanning to leave us to perish without a means of salvation. A PENALTY MUST BE PAID 7. How did Jesus solve the sin problem? Romans 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Jesus came to live on earth as a man, facing the same problems and temptations that every human has faced. He proved by His perfect life that there is no excuse for sin. Then as the one sinless representative of the human race, He voluntarily took upon Himself the guilt of every person who would ever live and died in their behalf. It is man's privilege to accept this great salvation. 8. What did the jeering crowd around the cross shout as Christ was dying? Mark 15:31 "He saved others; himself he." And that was true. He could not save Himself and still save others. He was incarnate God, paying the price for a lost race, a broken law the wages of sin. 9. As Jesus hung upon the cross, what does the Bible say that God did? Isaiah 53:6 "And the LORD hath the iniquity of us all." RECEIVING SALVATION 10. How do we receive forgiveness and salvation? Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins." This belief, this faith, is the very heart of salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved, Paul answered "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,..." Acts 16: What power is given to the person who accepts Christ as his or her Saviour and Lord? John 1:12 4

5 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,..." Receiving salvation is so simple, yet many make it seem so complex. We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. But a God of love wants to give it to us, if we will only reach out and accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord. 12. When we receive Christ, what does God give to us? 1 John 5:11 "God hath given to us." 13. What loving invitation does Jesus extend to everyone everywhere? Matthew 25:34 "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Yes, you can live forever! You may feel that you are a hopeless sinner, but that is not true. God can turn the most impossible situation into victory. No life is too bad, no sin too great that Christ will not forgive if you truly want forgiveness. 5

6 14. What prayer did Jesus pray as the soldiers were nailing His hands and feet to the cruel cross? Luke 23:34 "Father, ; for they know not what they do." On the cross Jesus hung between two sinners, both common criminals. And while they were hanging side by side in excruciating pain, the Bible tells us that at first the two thieves made fun of Jesus. But, as the day wore on, one thief, who must have seen Jesus teaching and healing at one time, now caught a glimpse of the love Jesus demonstrated that day on Calvary amid the jeers and mocking of the frenzied crowd. He witnessed Jesus' hands and feet being nailed to the cross without a word of protest from Jesus. And then he heard a most unusual prayer. "Father, forgive them." It broke his heart. He sensed his helplessness; he recognized his sinfulness. 15. What heartfelt cry came from the depths of the repentant thief's soul? Luke 23:42 "Lord, when thou comest into thy kingdom." 16. What was Jesus' instant response to the thief's request? Luke 23:43, NIV "You will be with me in paradise." What a promise! Looking into the future when all who love Him will be gathered into His kingdom, Jesus promised to remember the repentant thief, who reached out in faith to Him and in reaching out found salvation. Today Jesus longs to give you the same assurance. In fact, in the last book of the Bible Jesus pictures Himself knocking at your heart's door waiting to be invited in. He is listening and waiting Will you open your heart's door today and invite Him to come in and be your Saviour and Lord? He is waiting.... Your answer: Once you have made the commitment to claim the wonderful gift of salvation maybe you can share the feeling behind these words written by a young pastor 6

7 (name unknown). I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, live by prayer, and labor by His power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up, for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me for we have walked together all the days of my life! Reflection If we are saved by grace, do we still need to work for the Lord? Remember to fill in the quiz sheet and return it for grading. Your next lessons will be sent with your corrected quiz. Do not return lesson booklets. 7

8 Beatitudes Matthew 5: 3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. If you have questions regarding this lesson, please call (909) or The Way of Life Bible lessons are produced and distributed by The Quiet Hour. For information please write: The Quiet Hour, Box 3000, Redlands, CA or us at: Cover Art: Palimor Studios Inside Design & Layout: T.E. Grafx 2001 The Quiet Hour