He offers this relationship as His free gift to us. Romans 6:23

We can do nothing to earn or deserve it. Ephesians 2:8-9

2. We have a serious problem because we are all sinners. Romans 3:23

We are alienated from God, eternally separated from Him. Colossians 1:21

We are spiritually dead and cannot change our relationship with Him.
Ephesians 2:1-2

3. God is our heavenly Father. Matthew 6:9

God is just and must punish sin. Deuteronomy 32:4

God is loving and wants all people to come back to Him. 2 Peter 3:9

4. God, our heavenly Father, sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth for us. John 3:16

Jesus Christ is both God and Man. John 20:28

Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead to offer us restored relationship with God. Romans 4:25

5. The Holy Spirit uses God's Word and Baptism to bring us back to God. Titus 3:4-7

·The spirit convicts us of our sinfulness. John 17:8

·The Spirit assures us of Christ's forgiveness. Colossians 1:13-14

The Spirit moves us to trust in Jesus Christ and restores our relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 12:3

6. The Holy Spirit gathers those who trust in Christ into the fellowship of Christ's Church. Acts 2:41

The Spirit endows all believers with His gifts so all can minister to one another and to others as they serve God. 1 Corinthians 12:7

The Spirit transforms them as He leads and shapes them through His Word, Holy Communion and prayer. Acts 2:42

The Spirit empowers and equips all Christians so that together they can build up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13