DiscoverGodsGrace.org
Images from God's Creation
Insights into God's Grace
Images from God's Creation
Insights into God's Grace
"The Good News"
5 Minutes Could Change Your Life!
5 Minutes Could Change Your Life!
God offers forgiveness of sins & eternal life to you freely & without cost!
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Due to our sin and disregard for God commands, our relationship with God has been broken and we are at risk of facing His righteous judgment, justice and condemnation. The Bible says, "There is no one who is righteous [in God's sight], not even one...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." (Romans 3:10&23, Hebrews:9:27)
Filled with love and compassion for us, God sent His Son into the world to pay the full penalty for our sins. On the cross, Jesus willingly became our substitute, taking upon Himself all of the judgment and condemnation we rightfully deserve. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...Christ died for our sins...He was buried and He rose again the third day...God demonstrated His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Romans 5:8)
After His death and resurrection (before He returned to heaven), Jesus appeared to hundreds of eyewitnesses offering extensive and irrefutable proof that He was indeed alive. His resurrection was so obvious, even His enemies did not deny it. "After His suffering [on the cross], He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days...He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time." (Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:6)
Because Jesus paid the full price for your sins on the cross, God offers you complete forgiveness and eternal life without cost or effort on your part. This is true no matter who you are, where you live, or your family religion. It is the gift of God's undeserved grace. We receive this gift through simple childlike faith in Jesus Christ alone. In the Bible, the word "faith" means to believe in or rely on someone other than yourself. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life...Whoever believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name...For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not the result of your works." (John 3:16, Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8&9)
The moment that you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again the third day, God declares that you are are no longer guilty in His sight. He forgives your sins once and for all and He pronounces that you are 'perfectly righteous' because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ which God credits to you freely by His undeserved grace. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified [declared righteous] freely by His grace through the redemption [the price paid] that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in His blood...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." (Romans 3:22-25, Acts 16:31)
Essential Issues & Answers
Short Video Insights from Dr. John Clark
"Born Again"
What it Means & Why it Matters
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 48 sec.)
What it Means & Why it Matters
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 48 sec.)
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"Born Again" transcript
"Born Again" What it Means & Why it Matters A brief informal discussion with Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 48 sec.) What Does It Mean to Be “Born Again?” by Dr. John Clark Well, first of all we must know that the phrase “born again” is a biblical term. Although this phrase became more popular in America in the late 1960’s, the term existed much longer than that. In John 3:3, Jesus uses the term and He attributes great significance to it – He says to Nicodemus, a super-religious person, the following: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The Greek word that Jesus uses for the word translated “again” means “from above” OR “another time, i.e. again.” So, it could literally be translated either “born from above” or “born another time/again.” Additionally, the word “born” is in the passive voice. This means that the action happens TO you and is NOT done BY you! Now, the significance of this event cannot be undersold as Jesus says that if this birth DOES NOT happen for an individual, they can never SEE (or enter) the kingdom of God. So, each person needs a birth “from above,” that is different than our physical birth, and we cannot do it ourselves. To a thinking person, that must seem extremely frustrating! However, each person – every man, woman, and child – is given an offer by the God of the universe. Because He does NOT want anyone to miss out on an eternity in heaven with Him, He offers the birth “from above” as a FREE GIFT. Going further in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus states in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This NEW BIRTH is enacted on any person who simply places their faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone! Jesus died for your sins, in your place, taking your penalty upon Himself so that you would “never perish,” and He rose from the dead to guarantee you eternal life, life that never ends. Believing in Jesus Christ and His finished work for you is HOW you are “born again.” |
"10 Commandments"
What Most People Don't Know About God's Law
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 23 sec.)
What Most People Don't Know About God's Law
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 23 sec.)
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"10 CommandmenTs" Transcript
TRUE OR FALSE? You Must Keep the 10 Commandments to be Saved (by Dr. John Clark) The answer to this statement is a BIG “FALSE.” Now, that may shock the most religious among us! But, instead of catering to religion, or man’s philosophy, we want to find our answer from the Bible. Now, let’s be clear – there is absolutely nothing WRONG with the 10 Commandments. They are part of the perfect expression of God’s holy standard. The problem with this is NOT the law, but the problem is us. Nobody in history has ever kept the 10 Commandments perfectly! After saying that no one is righteous (i.e., law-abiding), Paul says the following about the Law in Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The Law simply shows each one of us that we are law-breakers, and that we are guilty before a Holy God. Now, before we say, “Yeah, but I have only lied and have not broken any of the other BIG commandments,” consider what James 2:10 says: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Unless a person keeps the 10 Commandments perfectly, then they are just as guilty as a person who breaks them all. The simple fact is NO ONE can be saved by keeping the 10 Commandments, because it would require complete perfect obedience your entire life. This is why the Bible teaches that there is a Savior who took the penalty for your sin upon Himself (i.e., the death penalty for breaking God’s Law) so that you the law-breaker would not have to face it. Will you trust in the Savior today and stop trusting in your failed law-keeping? |
"The Danger of Hell"
Does God send people to hell?
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 25 sec.)
Does God send people to hell?
Dr. John Clark (Length: 2 min. 25 sec.)
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"Danger of Hell" Transcript
Does God Send People to Hell? by Dr. John Clark This question is equivalent to another question that is asked often – “Why would a loving God send anyone to hell?” First, before I answer this question, I need to make a quick clarification between Hell and the Lake of Fire. “Hell” is a term used to describe a temporary place of torment for unsaved human beings, until the final Great White Throne Judgment, where they will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. “Hell” is where unsaved people go when they die NOW, the lake of fire is what unsaved people await at a point in time in the future. This teaching is found in Revelation 20:14-15 where it says, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Either way, the question is “Why would God send someone to a place of eternal torment?” Initially, we need to understand that the place of eternal torment (i.e., the lake of fire) was originally designed for Satan and the fallen angels (i.e., his demons). Speaking to unsaved people Jesus says this much in Matthew 25:41, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” So, eternal punishment was NOT originally created for mankind, but rather rebellious angels, especially their ringleader, Lucifer or Satan. However, when Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan’s word over God’s word in the Garden, they sealed their fate to join him in his destiny. This should be the fate of every sinful man, woman, and child who have ever lived. However, God does NOT want anyone to go to hell, and so He provided a solution through His Son Jesus who died for our sins and rose again. Based upon His finished work, NO ONE has to go to eternal torment anymore – the only ones who do are those who reject what Jesus Christ has done for them. |
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You can find more of John Clark's excellent teaching on the Grace Community Fellowship YouTube channel here. This channel includes many wonderful studies from various books of the Bible and is updated with new content every week. We also highly recommend subscribing to this channel once you have had the opportunity to check it out for yourself.
John Clark is the pastor of Grace Community Fellowship in Newnan, Georgia (USA). In addition, John serves on the board of directors for Disciple Makers Multiplied International where he is also the Mission's Director for Libera, Africa. John regularly travels to Libera to conduct Bible training workshops for pastors and church leaders. In 2019, John received his doctorate of ministry (D Min) from Dallas Theological Seminary.
John Clark is the pastor of Grace Community Fellowship in Newnan, Georgia (USA). In addition, John serves on the board of directors for Disciple Makers Multiplied International where he is also the Mission's Director for Libera, Africa. John regularly travels to Libera to conduct Bible training workshops for pastors and church leaders. In 2019, John received his doctorate of ministry (D Min) from Dallas Theological Seminary.
"Are You Thirsty?"
(Audio Presentation)
(Audio Presentation)
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