TLC Lesson 18 - The Living Christ Shows the Way to Heaven

Introduction

Do you want to go to Heaven? Will all people go there? Do you know the way? What must you do? These are questions we want to answer from the Bible as we look at pictures from "The Living Christ." You will need the pictures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 9, 15, 82, 107, 108, 110, 114, and 118. How did the world begin?

Picture 2. God Created all Things

Genesis 2:4-22

God created all things. He created the earth, the heavens, the sun, moon and stars. He made the plants and animals. Then He created man in His own likeness. The first man was called Adam and the first woman called Eve. People and animals lived together in peace. Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the beautiful garden of Eden. They could speak to God like friends. God told them, "You may eat of all the trees except one. You must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of it, you will die." What broke the peace and fellowship?

Picture 3. Satan Tempts Adam and Eve

Genesis 3:1-7

The serpent was very cunning. He caused Adam and Eve to doubt God's word. He said, "If you eat of the fruit you will not die. You will become like God." What are Adam and Eve doing in the picture? They are listening to the words of the serpent who is called Satan. They are eating the forbidden fruit. They are disobeying God. What was the result of their disobedience?

Picture 4. Adam and Eve Cast Out

Genesis 3:8-19

Adam and Eve were ashamed and tried to hide from God. Their fellowship with God was broken. God found them and they had to confess what they had done. God sent them out from the Garden. They had to work hard to get their food. God had told them they would die if they disobeyed. The wages of sin is death. Their bodies did not immediately die, but they did die later. However, they did die spritually. This means separation from God. The worst death is spiritual death. All of us are descendants of Adam and Eve. The judgment of death is upon all of us. How can we be saved from eternal death? How can we again have fellowship with God? God promised that the seed of the woman would destroy the power of Satan. (Genesis 3:15).

Picture 5. God's Promise to Abraham

Genesis 12:1-3, 15:5-6

God chose a man named Abraham. He promised Abraham that his children would be as many as the stars of heaven. He also told him that through his offspring all the people would be blessed. Abraham believed God and he obeyed Him. How could all the people be blessed through Abraham?

Picture 7. The Angel Speaks to Mary

Luke 1:26-38

We see the angel Gabriel talking to a woman of the seed of Abraham. Her name is Mary. She was a pure virgin, and had never slept with a man. The angel Gabriel told her she would have a son. Mary asked, "How can this be because I am a virgin?" Gabriel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Nothing is impossible with God." He said that the son should be called Jesus, for He will save the people from their sins. 'Jesus' means Saviour. Through Mary He was the seed of Abraham. God had promised that through Abraham all people would be blessed.
Now look at Picture 9.
This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. When the baby was born in Bethlehem, Mary called his name Jesus, just as the angel said. We see the baby Jesus with Mary. When Jesus grew up He taught the people and did many miracles. How do you think we can be saved from our sins? Do you think doing good works, praying, fasting, and giving to the poor can take away your sins?

Picture 82. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14

This is the story of two men. They went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, a very religious man. The other was a tax collector, probably a thief. The Pharisee said, "I thank God that I am not a sinner like other people. I give a tenth of all I have, I fast twice a week. "Do you think God forgave his sins because of his fasting and giving? Let us listen to the other man's prayer. He was hunble and beat his breast in sorrow. He prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." He didn't boast about anything he had done. He knew he was a sinner and prayed for God's mercy. Which of these two men do you think God forgave? The Bible says God forgave the tax collector, not the Pharisee. Why? Our good works do not save us. We cannot be proiud and boast about them. The tax collector knew he was a sinner and asked God for mercy. When we are sorry for our sins and ask God to forgive us, He will hear our prayers. We need to be humble, not proud. But praying is not enough. God is a holy God. There must be some way for our sins to be taken away. Then God can forgive us. Let us see how God made a way to take away our sins.

Picture 15. The Message of John the Baptist

John 1:29-34

John the Baptist taught the people that they should repent of their sins. He said, "There is one coming ater me who is greater than I am." When he saw Jesus coming, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." How can Jesus take away our sins? God says the wages of sin is death. Our good works cannot take away our sin. Only death can pay the price for sin.

Picture 107. Jesus Led Out to be Crucified

John 19:16-17

In the picture we see Jesus beaten and carrying the cross. Why was He crucified? He did not sin. He was pure. He died in our place. God put all your sins and mine on Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sin. By dying He took away our sins. That is what John the Baptist had said. We cannot pay for our own sin. Jesus died for us and took away our sin. What must we do? Just as the tax collector did. We must admit we are sinners. We must believe that Jesus died for us. We must ask for mercy. Then God will forgive us. After we have been foriven we will want to do good works. We will fast, pray and give money to the poor.

Picture 108. The Crucifixion

Luke 23:39-43

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus. One thief mocked Jesus. The other thief admitted he deserved to die but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. He then asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. The thief could not give money to the poor nor do any other good works. Jesus knew that the thief trusted in Him and was sorry for his sin. Jesus siad,"This day you will be with me in Paradise." The thief's faith in Jesus saved him. Jesus died and was buried. Can a dead Jesus save us? No. He had to die to pay the price for our sin. But He didn't remain dead. Look at picture 110. (Matthew 28:1-7). On the third day Jesus rose from the dead. The guards were frightened to see Him alive. The women who came to the tomb were surprised but very glad. They went and told others that Jesus was alive.

Picture 114. Jesus Appears to His Disciples

John 20:19-21

That same evening, the first day of the week, Jesus was seen by the disciples. After that, many other people saw Jesus alive. Jesus had power to rise from the dead. This shows us that He is God. He is the resurrection and the life. He is able to give us life too. No one else is able to do that.

Picture 118. Jesus Ascends into Heaven

Acts 1:6-12

After Jesus rose from the dead He walked and talked with people on the earth for 40 days. He told His disciples to be witnesses for Him to all people. Then He went up to heaven and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Two angels told the disciples that Jesus would come back again some day. That will be a wonderful day. Are you ready for Him? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? Are you telling other people about Him? Are you living a life that is pleasing to Him?