Expanded salvation presentation

 

            Here is a salvation presentation and study in with both old and new testament bible passages with all together show man’s fallen state and our need for a savior and but that it is God’s will for ALL to be saved and how He out of His love sent Jesus to come and save the world, by dying on the cross and then being raised on the third day again, paying the price and atoning for our sins, which is something NO man could do for Himself.

Here is a teaching passage of the Romans road now to give the message, explaining how all have done evil and fallen short of God’s glory but Jesus came and died for all, so that we all may have relationship with God once more.

I am starting this teaching with the last six verses in Genesis chapter 1 where God declares let us make man in our own image with the trinity which they do and are given authority over other things, and even said it was very good.

(Genesis 1:26)  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 

(Genesis 1:27)  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

(Genesis 1:28)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

 

(Genesis 1:29)  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

 

(Genesis 1:30)  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

 

(Genesis 1:31)  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 

Then these verses in Genesis chapter 2 describe the actual creation and early life of man and woman and a garden in which He placed man, including every tree but also the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which will play in man’s fall. They were naked but not ashamed of it either.

(Genesis 2:7)  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

(Genesis 2:8)  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

 

(Genesis 2:9)  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

 

In these 11 verses of Genesis chapter 2, God gives man the freedom to eat of every tree except the tree of knowledge of good and evil, threatening death if he does. He then makes Adam a wife, Eve and Adam goes on to name everything

(Genesis 2:15)  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

 

(Genesis 2:16)  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

 

(Genesis 2:17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

(Genesis 2:18)  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

(Genesis 2:19)  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

 

(Genesis 2:20)  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

 

(Genesis 2:21)  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

 

(Genesis 2:22)  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

 

(Genesis 2:23)  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

 

(Genesis 2:24)  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

(Genesis 2:25)  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

As started I am starting this teaching with the fall of man, which is in Genesis 3 where Adam and Eve succumb to temptation by eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil- they could have eaten of all the other trees but Satan tricks them. They get kicked out of the garden as a result and mankind ends up inheriting sin because of this one act of disobedience.

(Genesis 3:1)  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

 

(Genesis 3:2)  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

 

(Genesis 3:3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

 

(Genesis 3:4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

 

(Genesis 3:5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 

(Genesis 3:6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 

(Genesis 3:8)  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

(Genesis 3:9)  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

 

(Genesis 3:10)  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

 

(Genesis 3:11)  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

 

(Genesis 3:12)  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:13)  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:14)  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

 

(Genesis 3:15)  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

(Genesis 3:16)  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

(Genesis 3:17)  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

 

(Genesis 3:18)  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

 

(Genesis 3:19)  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

(Genesis 3:20)  And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

 

(Genesis 3:21)  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

 

(Genesis 3:22)  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

(Genesis 3:23)  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

 

(Genesis 3:24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

Even that did not work after cycles of punishment and repentance and so forth, even captivity, God would send His Son Jesus to die and atone the sins which He did and was raised on the third day. Here is scripture form Proverbs 1 encouraging repenting but also states consequences for not repenting

I am now going on to some proverbs to give warning and encourage repentance for things. Here is a powerful message in Proverbs chapter 1 encouraging repentance and stating the consequences for not repenting:

(Proverbs 1:20)  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

 

(Proverbs 1:21)  She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

 

(Proverbs 1:22)  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

 

(Proverbs 1:23)  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

 

(Proverbs 1:24)  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

 

(Proverbs 1:25)  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

 

(Proverbs 1:26)  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

 

(Proverbs 1:27)  When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

 

(Proverbs 1:28)  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

 

(Proverbs 1:29)  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 

(Proverbs 1:30)  They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

 

(Proverbs 1:31)  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

 

(Proverbs 1:32)  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

 

(Proverbs 1:33)  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

 

Here are a few other warning messages in the proverbs

(Proverbs 14:12)  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

(Proverbs 16:25)  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Note the repletion and take heed, as repletion stresses a point made

(Proverbs 21:16)  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

 

(Proverbs 27:20)  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

 

In verse 10 above it does say it is written none is righteous. Here are the verses from Psalms 14 and 53,  which say that none is righteous and are nearly identical to one another so I am putting both of them in this teaching to really drive home the point of God’s word about none being righteous, not even one. This all is a result of the fall, described in Genesis chapter 3, above.

(Psalm 14:1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

(Psalm 14:2)  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

 

(Psalm 14:3)  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

(Psalm 14:4)  Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

 

(Psalm 53:1)  To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

 

(Psalm 53:2)  God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

 

(Psalm 53:3)  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

(Psalm 53:4)  Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

 

Here is a promise to us for HE DOES want to forgive us

(Isaiah 1:18)  "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool

 

The problem is the condition of heart in the lost

(Jeremiah 17:9)  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

In chapter 18 of Ezekiel  the Lord here also implores all to repent for he takes no pleasure in the death of anyone but also sharply warns against falling away from the Lord too.

(Ezekiel 18:1)  The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

 

(Ezekiel 18:2)  What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

 

(Ezekiel 18:3)  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

 

(Ezekiel 18:4)  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:5)  But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

 

(Ezekiel 18:6)  And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

 

(Ezekiel 18:7)  And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

 

(Ezekiel 18:8)  He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

 

(Ezekiel 18:9)  Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

 

(Ezekiel 18:10)  If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,

 

(Ezekiel 18:11)  And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,

 

(Ezekiel 18:12)  Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

 

(Ezekiel 18:13)  Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

 

(Ezekiel 18:14)  Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

 

(Ezekiel 18:15)  That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,

 

(Ezekiel 18:16)  Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

 

(Ezekiel 18:17)  That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:18)  As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.

 

(Ezekiel 18:19)  Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:20)  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

 

(Ezekiel 18:21)  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:22)  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:23)  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

 

(Ezekiel 18:24)  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:25)  Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

(Ezekiel 18:26)  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:27)  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

 

(Ezekiel 18:28)  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:29)  Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

(Ezekiel 18:30)  "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.

 

(Ezekiel 18:31)  Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?

 

(Ezekiel 18:32)  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live."

 

He promises a new heart to us, too to replace the old deceitful one that is in the unregenerate man.

(Ezekiel 11:19)  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

 

(Ezekiel 11:20)  that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

 

This further promise of a new heart is made in Ezekiel 36

 (Ezekiel 36:25)  I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your

uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

 

(Ezekiel 36:26)  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

 

(Ezekiel 36:27)  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

 

Here is the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming Jesus who would come to die for all of our sins, to grant us eternal life, which is in Isaiah chapter 53, which I am including the entire chapter.

(Isaiah 53:1)  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

 

(Isaiah 53:2)  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

 

(Isaiah 53:3)  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

(Isaiah 53:4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 

(Isaiah 53:5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 

(Isaiah 53:6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

(Isaiah 53:7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

(Isaiah 53:8)  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

 

(Isaiah 53:9)  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

 

(Isaiah 53:10)  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

 

(Isaiah 53:11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

(Isaiah 53:12)  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

 

I am also adding this passage in Romans chapter 1 stating well my own feelings that I am not ashamed of the gospel and want to see the message of salvation shared so people can accept the same by faith so that people can know and be without excuse

(Romans 1:13)  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

 

(Romans 1:14)  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

 

(Romans 1:15)  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

 

(Romans 1:16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

(Romans 1:17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

(Romans 1:18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

 

(Romans 1:19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

 

(Romans 1:20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

In Hebrews it is pointed out that Jesus has appointed to put away sin and it is for man to die once and be judged but people can look to Him for salvation

(Hebrews 9:26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

(Hebrews 9:27)  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

(Hebrews 9:28)  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

I am continuing this  teaching with the passage in Romans 3 which states how nobody does righteously not even one person at all.

 

(Romans 3:9)  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

 

(Romans 3:10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

(Romans 3:11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

(Romans 3:12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

This next passage, also from Romans chapter 3 later on says while all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory they are then justified through grace and what Jesus did for them at the cross and this is through faith and it excludes boasting

(Romans 3:21)  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

 

(Romans 3:22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

(Romans 3:23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

(Romans 3:24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 

(Romans 3:25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

(Romans 3:26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

(Romans 3:27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

 

(Romans 3:28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

Here ultimately are the wages of sin that the above verse speaks about- the second death in the lake of fire. Remember that accepting God’s gift of salvation through Jesus WILL enable you to avoid the hell, the white throne judgment and the lake of fire.

Here are some bible verses describing hell, which indeed is where the dead go without Jesus

(Isaiah 66:24)  And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

 

Jesus warns in these verses in Mark 9 that you should want to do anything at all to avoid entering hell.

(Mark 9:43)  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

 

(Mark 9:44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

 

(Mark 9:45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

 

(Mark 9:46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

 

(Mark 9:47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

 

(Mark 9:48)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.’

 

Here are the verses describing the great white throne judgment are thrown into the lake of fire, as at this stage death and hell are thrown into the lake of fire and  these verses pertain to all those who die without Jesus. Please do NOT be one of them. If you have not already done so, please accept Jesus today.

(Revelation 20:11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

 

(Revelation 20:12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

(Revelation 20:13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

 

(Revelation 20:14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

(Revelation 20:15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

This warning of the second death is repeated, for evil doers who are unsaved but Jesus also promises those who overcome will inherit all things in these verses in Revelation chapter 21

(Revelation 21:5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

 

(Revelation 21:6)  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

 

(Revelation 21:7)  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

 

(Revelation 21:8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

God is patient with us so none would perish and all come to repentance as stated in 2 Peter 3

(2 Peter 3:8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

Next in this study this passage  in this teaching are from 1 Timothy state that it is important to pray because God does indeed want all to be saved for that is His will for all to be saved

(1 Timothy 2:1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

 

(1 Timothy 2:2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

(1 Timothy 2:3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

 

(1 Timothy 2:4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

(1 Timothy 2:6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

These verses in Titus remind us that the grace of God brings salvation to all men and that Jesus gave Himself for us

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

 

(Titus 2:12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

 

(Titus 2:13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

(Titus 2:14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

(Titus 2:15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

In John chapter 3 is the powerful dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus where Jesus relates how we MUST be born again- of the spirit and of the blood- in order to see and enter into the kingdom of God, as that which is born of the flesh is flesh and of the spirit, spirit. Jesus then reminds us God sent Jesus so the world might be saved and not condemned as He loves the world that much to send His Son. Those who do not believe are condemned already. John the Baptist then echoes Jesus’ words at the end of the chapter.

(John 3:1)  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

 

(John 3:2)  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

 

(John 3:3)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

(John 3:4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

 

(John 3:5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

(John 3:6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

(John 3:7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

 

(John 3:8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 

(John 3:9)  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

 

(John 3:10)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

 

(John 3:11)  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

 

(John 3:12)  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

 

(John 3:13)  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

 

(John 3:14)  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

 

(John 3:15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

 

(John 3:16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

(John 3:17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

(John 3:18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

(John 3:19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

 

(John 3:20)  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

 

(John 3:21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

(John 3:22)  After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

 

(John 3:23)  And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

 

(John 3:24)  For John was not yet cast into prison.

 

(John 3:25)  Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

 

(John 3:26)  And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

 

(John 3:27)  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

 

(John 3:28)  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

 

(John 3:29)  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

 

(John 3:30)  He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

(John 3:31)  He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

 

(John 3:32)  And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

 

(John 3:33)  He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

 

(John 3:34)  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

 

(John 3:35)  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

 

(John 3:36)  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

John chapter 10 is the teaching where Jesus then tells the Jews how that He is the door to the sheep and the good Shepherd and that those who come to Him enter in and find pasture. He also gives His sheep life everlasting. Jesus says how He will lay down His life for His sheep too, which He does later, atoning for all mankind’s sins. Jesus then also states how He and His Father are one.

(John 10:1)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

 

(John 10:2)  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

 

(John 10:3)  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

 

(John 10:4)  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

 

(John 10:5)  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

 

(John 10:6)  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

 

(John 10:7)  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

 

(John 10:8)  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

 

(John 10:9)  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 

(John 10:10)  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

(John 10:11)  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

(John 10:12)  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

 

(John 10:13)  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

 

(John 10:14)  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 

(John 10:15)  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

 

(John 10:16)  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 

(John 10:17)  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

 

(John 10:18)  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

 

(John 10:19)  There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

 

(John 10:20)  And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

 

(John 10:21)  Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

 

(John 10:22)  And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

 

(John 10:23)  And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

 

(John 10:24)  Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

 

(John 10:25)  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

 

(John 10:26)  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

 

(John 10:27)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

(John 10:28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

 

(John 10:29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

 

(John 10:30)  I and my Father are one.

 

(John 10:31)  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

 

(John 10:32)  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

 

(John 10:33)  The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

 

(John 10:34)  Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

 

(John 10:35)  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

 

(John 10:36)  Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

 

(John 10:37)  If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

 

(John 10:38)  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

 

(John 10:39)  Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

 

(John 10:40)  And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

 

(John 10:41)  And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

 

(John 10:42)  And many believed on him there.

 

While we were yet weak and in sin God in love sent Jesus to die for us as stated in this passage in Romans chapter 5 as while one mad us all sinners through disobedience one’s obedience also brought all back to righteousness and also reminds us through the offense one many are sinners but through the obedience of one many more were made righteous

 

(Romans 5:6)  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

(Romans 5:7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

 

(Romans 5:8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

(Romans 5:9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

(Romans 5:10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 

(Romans 5:11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

(Romans 5:12)  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

 

(Romans 5:13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

 

(Romans 5:14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

 

 (Romans 5:15)  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

 

(Romans 5:16)  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

 

(Romans 5:17)  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

 

(Romans 5:18)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

(Romans 5:19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

The gift of salvation is one of grace and not by works so any should boast but we were created for good works as this passage states in Ephesians chapter 2

(Ephesians 2:8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

(Ephesians 2:9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

(Ephesians 2:10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Here in 1 John 2 Jesus is indeed the propitiation for all of our sins

(1 John 2:1)  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

(1 John 2:2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

These two verses in 1 John chapter 4 remind us how Jesus did give Himself for us to be a propitiation for our sins:

(1 John 4:9)  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

 

(1 John 4:10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

These ten verses in 1 John 5 speak of those who believe in the Son overcoming the world and having eternal life as a result

(1 John 5:4)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

(1 John 5:5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

(1 John 5:6)  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

 

(1 John 5:7)  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

 

(1 John 5:8)  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

 

(1 John 5:9)  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

 

(1 John 5:10)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

(1 John 5:11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

 

(1 John 5:12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

 

(1 John 5:13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

And here is the verse in John 14 which reminds us that Jesus is the ONLY way to God and heaven

(John 14:6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

This verse in Revelation reminds us that Jesus IS at the door and seeks us to open to Him

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

The final passage here from Romans chapter 10 explains that the word is near us, how to be saved by confessing Jesus as Lord by mouth and believing that God raised Him from the dead and of the virtues of those who preach the gospel for faith comes by hearing the word of God.

(Romans 10:8)  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

 

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

(Romans 10:11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

 

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

(Romans 10:14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

 

(Romans 10:15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

(Romans 10:16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

 

(Romans 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

God did not appoint us to wrath but unto salvation to live together with Him so I leave you with these words in 1 Thessalonians 5 to comfort you

(1 Thessalonians 5:9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

 

Here in these verses in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 Paul reminds us when we are new in Christ old things are put away and all things are of God

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

(2 Corinthians 5:18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

Here in these first five verses of Romans 5 we now have peace with God being reconciled by Jesus justified by our faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

(Romans 5:2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

(Romans 5:3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 

(Romans 5:4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

 

(Romans 5:5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

Paul reminds us in the first two verses of Romans 8 that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

(Romans 8:31)  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 

(Romans 8:32)  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

(Romans 8:33)  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

 

(Romans 8:34)  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

(Romans 8:35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

(Romans 8:36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

(Romans 8:37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

(Romans 8:38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 

(Romans 8:39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Finally in Romans 12 we are now to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and are not to be conformed by the word but transformed by the renewing of our mind. We also are now all part of one body.

(Romans 12:1)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

(Romans 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

(Romans 12:3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

(Romans 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

 

(Romans 12:5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

The passages in this teaching above are there to show our need of a savior. As it is written God did love the world enough to send His only begotten Son- Jesus to die for our sins on the cross though He was nearly stoned in the gospel of John on two occasions. Jesus makes powerful points in these chapters about how He is indeed the one to take away the sins and also bring everlasting (eternal ) Life to all to all those who believe in Him. This was all done so the sins of man, which had separated man from God could be atoned for, which Jesus did by dying o0n the cross, and the love relationship with God then is thus restored. There is nothing like a love relationship with God at all, nothing can even come remotely close to it. I am now including a prayer which you can pray and then invite Jesus in your heart to begin this wonderful relationship to which nothing can compare. Please pray this prayer with me now.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

God bless you and yours