Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

Chapter 3: New Beg i nn i ngs i n Chr i s t , Ser i es 1 61

III. Good Advice for a Strong Beginning

2 Cor. 5.17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

A. Make Jesus the foundation of your life and faith.

Col. 2.6-7 – Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

1. Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3.18.

2. Seek to please him in all things, 2 Cor. 5.9 --So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

3. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever; he won’t let you down, Heb. 13.8.

B. Become a strong member of the family of God.

1 John 3.1-3 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. [3] And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

1. If you haven’t already been baptized, join a local church and be prepared for baptism, Mark 16.14ff.