On occasion I'm reminded of the elderly lady (evidently a true story) who for years lived in severe poverty and eventually died a broken hearted old women. As they were settling the estate it was discovered that hanging on the wall was a painting worth several million dollars. Had this woman only known what was rightfully hers she could have chosen to live a totally different life!

Theres continues to this day the need to hear, "the full message of this new life". Are we really experiencing Gods best right now? Have we caught hold of Gods vision for this generation?

God's Heart Is Exposed:
In the heart and mind of God, Jesus was crucified before the foundation of the world. This tells us a little something about the Creator. Hes the God of Vision. He not only saw what He wanted for the world at creation, He saw what He wanted for our lives today. He saw us redeemed through Christ. He saw us blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit enjoying the "Jesus Life" now!

Jesus paid a great price to purchase our freedom from sin! The salvation plan of God is certainly beyond human comprehension. The thought that God would leave His place in heaven to become the "God - Man" Jesus Christ is amazing. The humiliation of the Creator taking on the form of the created! To think that Jesus, the sinless One, would take upon Himself the sin of the world; that He who did no wrong would be so brutally and ruthlessly accused, condemned and finally crucified! Can you fully understand this?

During the crucifixion Jesus was so severely beaten that Isa. 52:14 says, "Many were amazed when they saw Him - beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one could scarcely know He was a person." Jesus' death on the cross was extremely brutal. He was mocked and spit upon! The hands that healed the sick were nailed solid, forbidden to reach out in compassion. The feet that carried the Saviour, likewise nailed to the cross, forbidding them to take Him any longer to the lost with the Good News of Gods willingness to forgive sinners. The mouth that spoke such gracious healing words was given bitter vinegar. Jesus endured pain, disgrace, humiliation and physical death to pave the way for eternal life. For what! So sinners like you and I could enjoy the blessings of forgiveness of sin and eternal life!

What would those final minutes, those final seconds prior to His death have been like? What must He have felt when He was aware that He had been left completely alone to bare the punishment of God for sin? The anguish of his soul can be heard through his words on the cross, "My God My God why have you forsaken me." (Math. 27:46) Why endure all this when at any moment He could have called out to the Father and been freed by angels. What was it Jesus was envisioning for our lives? Why tolerate such excruciating pain? What was it all about?

The prophetic words given to Joseph concerning Jesus, were, "He will save His people from their sins." (Math. 2:21) This is still the major concern in the heart of Jesus today. Hes very much interested in saving us from sin. Sin always produces death. Jesus has come to give us life and to give it fully. Salvation is even more than sins forgiven! Its about living free from the bondage and damage sin produces!

Its my sincere desire that as you continue through this Series you will discover something about "This New Life" that will cause you to be both inspired and encouraged to believe God for more of the "Jesus Life" in the "here and now".

Suggestion: Id like to suggest that you follow through the Series in sequence. I think you'll find it the most rewarding approach.

Note: This series has been formatted with the Internet user in mind and is not meant to be an exhaustive Study on this subject. If you have any questions or would like something clarified more fully please feel free to contact us.