I. What’s the Solution to the World’s Problems?

a. BIBLICAL = Change HEARTS!

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

II. Dealing with the Heart of the Matter

1. HUMILIATION (guilt)

Psalms 40:12 (MSG) I was so swamped by guilt I couldn't see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.

2. COMPULSION

Romans 7:15-25 (MSG) ¹⁵What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. … ²⁵The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ . . . acted to set things right in this life of contradictions

3. ALIENATION

Colossians 1:21 (NIV) Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

4. CONFUSION

Matthew 9:36 (MSG) When He looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.

5. APPREHENSION (worry)

Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) An anxious heart weighs a man down.

III. Cross Benefits (of Jesus’ sacrifice)

1. Replacement - HE TOOK MY PUNISHMENT

Romans 3:25 (TLB) For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger against us.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (NLT) ⁴Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God for His own sins! ⁵But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! ⁶All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (TLB) For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange, He poured God's goodness into us!

2. Redemption – HE BOUGHT MY FREEDOM

1 Timothy 2:6 (NLT) He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.

2 Peter 2:19 (NLT) For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

Galatians 5:1 (TEV) Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

3. Reconciliation HE RESTORES MY RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

Romans 5:10 (TEV) We were God's enemies, but He made us His friends through the death of His Son.

4. Rebirth – HE GIVES ME A NEW IDENTITY

Titus 3:5 (GW) He saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain His approval. Instead, because of His mercy He saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.

Romans 6:2-4 (TLB) ²For sin's power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through His death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. ^{3 4}Your old sin-loving nature was buried with Him by baptism when He died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought Him back to life again, you were given His wonderful new life to enjoy.

5. Repudiation – HE DEFEATS DEATH (& the DEVIL)

1 John 3:8 (NCV) The Son of God came for this purpose: to destroy the devil's work.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. ¹⁵Only in this way could He deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

Romans 6:9 (MSG) We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word.

Going Deeper: Read Chpts 21-25 in “The Good Life” by Chuck Colson. Go even farther with “Diving Deeper” using our “pdf” study guide. Go to www.4salem.org/fyw.htm for all resources and group possibilities.

Daily Doses: For those with extremely busy schedules: Take just a minute a day to start out with a Word from the Lord. Read it! Listen Again! Write down how it applies to you. Finally pray about it.

qMon. Prov. 4:23	qWed. Heb. 2:14-15	qFri. Rom 5:10
qTue. Rom. 3:25	qThr. 1 Tim.2:6	qSat. Titus 3:5