There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

 

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike--the necessity of repenting from your sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.  

Acts 20:21

 

This is what we celebrate at Christmas – God coming to earth in the form of man.  

Colossians 2:9

 

 

People often ask, "What makes Jesus different from all the other religious leaders who ever lived?"
 
The Bible – God’s authoritative word – makes it very clear that Jesus was more than just another religious teacher or prophet. It tells us, instead, that Jesus was unique.
 

He was unique in His person.
He wasn't just an unusually spiritual individual. He was more than that; He was God in human flesh. Yes, He was fully man, but He was also fully God. The Bible puts it this way: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form".

Jesus was unique in His purpose.

Why did He come to earth? He came for one reason: to save us from our sins. As Jesus Himself said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). He did this by becoming the final sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross. We know His promise of eternal life is true because He did something no other person has ever done: He rose from the dead – what we call the resurrection – and still lives today. 

 

*http://goingfarther.jesus.net/basics-of-christianity/
 

 

Relationship, not religion.

God's Grace, not individual works.

 

Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to find truth."

  -Jesus says, “I am the truth.”  John 14:6

 

Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I’ll show you the way to salvation.”

  - Jesus says, “I am the way to eternal life.”  John 14:6

 

Other religious leaders tell people, "Follow me and I’ll show you how to become enlightened.”

  - Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”  John 8:12

 

Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I’ll show you many doors that lead to God.”   - Jesus says, “I am the door.”  John 10:9  

 

All other religions are based on “you doing something” to earn the favor of God.

These are the attempts of people to reach God.

 

Christianity is based on what Christ has done for us on the cross.

Christianity is God reaching out to us. 

 

Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life, it is a relationship with God.

 

Only Jesus – because He is the unique and perfect Son of God – is qualified to offer himself as payment for our wrongdoing.

 

No leader of any other major religion even pretends to be able to do that.

Moses could meditate on the law…

Mohammed could brandish a sword…

Buddha could give personal counsel…

Confucius could offer wise sayings…

but, none of these men was qualified to offer an atonement for the sins of the world.

 

Example of "personal works" versus God's forgiving Grace:

Buddha tells a parable of an “errant son” who became rebellious and left home, later to recognize his error and return home. The errant son is required to work off the penalty of his past misdeeds by spending years in servitude.

 

Christ’s prodigal son sins, but returns home to a warm welcome, celebration and undeserved forgiveness; grace.   Luke 15:11-32

 

God did not create religion.

Religion was created by mankind; man's attempt to reach God.

Jesus is not interested in religion and is reaching out to you.

He is interested in an ongoing relationship, with you.

 

*Lee Strobel: God’s Outrageous Claims