Four F’s of Christianity!

INTRODUCTION: I love being a Christian! It is the most wonderful thing in this world. But what makes Christianity SO attractive and enjoyable? It is the four F’s all Christians can enjoy. So get excited about the following principles:

1. FORGIVENESS. Cf.

a. Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and zyou shall call his name Jesus, afor he will save his people from their sins.”

b. Luke 19:10 - For mthe Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

c. John 1:29 - The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, xthe Lamb of God, who ytakes away the sin zof the world!

Why do we need forgiveness? First, sin separates us from God (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Isa. 59:1-2).

Isa. 59:1-2

Behold, bthe Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,

or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

2 cbut your iniquities have made a separation

between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you

so that he does not hear.

 Have you even been separated from your family for a lengthy period of time? Sadness, loneliness and despair set in. Imagine being separated from God because of sin. It’s frightening to consider. However, Jesus died to reconcile man to God

a. 2 Cor. 5:18-21 All this is from God, lwho through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us mthe ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling1 the world to himself, nnot counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us mthe message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, owe are ambassadors for Christ, pGod making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 qFor our sake he made him to be sin rwho knew no sin, so that in him we might become sthe righteousness of God.

 And that reconciliation grants forgiveness of sins to those that repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38). Thank God for forgiveness.

2. FATHER. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). Our heavenly father cares, loves and blesses us

Eph. 1:3 - Blessed be fthe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing gin the heavenly places.

 I have a friend whose father died. One day he said, "I wish I could just talk to him.” Christians, however, can talk to their heavenly father through Jesus every minute of every day. Thank God for being our Father.

3. FAMILY. Christians are blessed with a spiritual family. Love, care and concern are rich blessings from those of "like precious faith.” The Family of God is the great-est support system on earth. We have a common bond in Jesus Christ. One day we will enjoy the great family reunion in heaven. Are you ready for the day to come?

Romans 8:14-17  - For all who are^(A) led by the Spirit of God are^(B) sons^[a] of God. ¹⁵For^(C) you did not receive^(D) the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of^(E) adoption as sons, by whom we cry,^(F)"Abba! Father!" ^16(G) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then^(H) heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,^(I) provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1 Peter 1:14-17 - As obedient children,^(A) do not be conformed to the passions^(B) of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but^(C) as he who called you is holy, you also be holy^(D) in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written,^(E) "You shall be holy, for I am holy." ¹⁷And if you^(F) call on him as Father who^(G) judges^(H) impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves^(I) with fear throughout the time of your exile,

Ephesians 2:19-22 

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

4. FUTURE. Heaven is described as reward and inheritance. It’s "incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved...for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Heaven can be your future if you will live faithfully to the Lord from here to eternity. Death is not final but WILL seal our destiny. Is your future happy or sad?