God's Bridge to Eternal Life | Shadow Ridge Baptist Church

On the old website this presentation existed only as sixteen pictures. The words are set out here as text so they can be read aloud by a screen reader, searched, translated, and read comfortably on a phone.

God’s Purpose: To Honor and Serve Him

God created man to honor, serve and fellowship with Him. The Bible says:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. — Revelation 4:11

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. — Psalm 16:11

If God’s purpose is for mankind to honor, serve, and fellowship with Him, then what happened that destroyed this perfect relationship?

Mankind’s Problem: Sin

Man chose to sin against God rather than serve Him. The Bible says:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23

What does it mean to sin against God? Sin is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4). We sin by doing what God has commanded us not to do, or by not doing what God has told us to do.

A man stands at the edge of a broken cliff, cut off by a wide chasm from the green land of God's purpose on the far side. The near cliff is labelled "Man's Problem: Sin".

Sin’s Penalty: Death

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Romans 6:23

When man chose to disobey God, the result was death. The basic meaning of death is separation. The Bible teaches there are three types of death, or separation, that result from sin:

Spiritual death separates a person from the life of God (Ephesians 2:1).
Physical death separates a person’s soul from his or her body (Hebrews 9:27).
Eternal death separates a person, both soul and body, from God forever in Hell (Revelation 20:15).

The same chasm, now with flames labelled "Eternal Death" burning in the gulf between the cliff of sin and the far side.

Then How Can We Ever Have Eternal Life?

Throughout history individuals have tried many ways to gain or earn eternal life, but every attempt has been unsuccessful. The Bible says:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. — Proverbs 14:12

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. — Titus 3:5a

For by grace 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

Four short planks labelled Good Works, Religion, Money and Morality reach out from the cliff of sin, but none of them is long enough to span the chasm.

Christ’s Payment: Our Sinless Substitute

Jesus Christ, God’s sinless Son, was sent by the Father to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross in our place. The Bible says:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. — 1 Peter 3:18a

A cross labelled "Christ's Payment" now spans the chasm, bridging the cliff of sin to the far side where eternal life is.

Then how do we cross the bridge to eternal life?

Our Pardon: Turn and Trust

How do we cross the bridge to eternal life? We must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Jesus himself said:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. — John 14:6

In order to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you must repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone as the only hope of eternal life. The Bible says:

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. — Acts 3:19a

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. — Acts 16:31a

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. — Romans 10:13

God’s Promise: Eternal Life

Jesus Christ 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

This verse has one promise with three parts. The person who believes:

Has eternal life
Does not come into judgement
Has passed out of death into life

The complete picture: the cross bridges the chasm, and on the far side a figure stands with arms raised toward the sun, beside the three parts of God's promise.

Will You Receive Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior Today?

To do so you must:

Admit that you have sinned against God and ask Him for forgiveness.
Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who died for you on the cross, rose from the dead, and is Lord.
Call upon Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.

If you have questions, or if you made this decision today, we would love to hear from you. Pastor Twigg answers the phone personally at (919) 557-1725, or you can send us a message.