PMG Lesson 3 PDF

Preview

Summary

Preach my gospel lesson 3...

Description

Claire Moore Lesson 3 Follow up on commitments Pray How to Begin Teaching 1. Through Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed from sin - God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to the world, so all of his other children could return and live with him again after we die - Only through Jesus’ grace and mercy can we be be clean from sins and be able to live with God again. 3 Nephi 9:13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? - Because of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, all people will be brought back into the presence of God to be judged according to their works and their desires - We will be judged according the laws of justice and mercy 3 Nephi 27: 15-16 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. ○ Justice: the unchanging law that brings consequences for our actions ○ For example, we are blessed when we obey God’s commandments and receive punishment when we sin. ○ Sin makes us clean, and no unclean thing can dwell in God’s presence. 3 Nephi 27:19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. - The Savior satisfied the demands of justice for people who repent and try their best to keep his commandments, when he stood in their place and paid the penalty for their sins. This is called the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Mosiah 15:9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice. - Because Christ did this for us, he can plead with Heavenly Father on our behalf. - Heavenly Father is able to apply mercy by withholding punishment, forgiving our sins, and allowing us to enter back into his presence. - However, Jesus doesn’t take away the need for our own personal responsibility ○ He forgives our sins when believe in Him, repent of our wrongs, and obey His commandments - Through the Atonement and living the gospel of Jesus Christ, we become worthy to live with God again.

-

We show that we have faith and accept Jesus Christ when we follow his commandments and obey the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. 2. The first principle of the gospel is faith in Jesus Christ - This includes have a firm belief that he is the Only Begotten Son of God and that he is the Redeemer of the World - We recognize that we need his grace and mercy to be able to return to the presence of God - When we have faith in Christ, we have accept and apply His Atonement and His teachings - Faith is not just a belief, but it leads to action ○ It leads to sincere repentance ○ It leads us to learn more about the Savior and to become like him ○ It leads us to want to be obedient and to do our best to keep His commandments - It isn’t always easy, but we can pray for strength to conquer temptation Moroni 7:33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. - As we obey God, He blesses us. He gives us power to meet life’s challenges. He helps us change the desires of our hearts. 3. The second principle of the gospel is repentance. - Our faith and love for Christ leads us to repent - Repentance means changing things, our thoughts, desires, and behaviors that are not in line with God’s will - When we repent, we feel godly sorrow, then we stop doing things that are wrong and continue doing things that are right. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. - Then we confess our sins to God. We do this by praying to him and asking him to forgive us. Sometimes, when we have committed serious sins, it is necessary to confess to authorized church leaders (like a Bishop), who help us repent. D&C 58:43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them. - Then, we do all we can to correct any problems our actions may have caused. This is called restitution. - As we repent and change, our view changes: ○ We recognize that we are children of God and that we need not continue making the same mistakes over and over. ○ We resist any desire to commit sin. ○ Our desire to follow God grows stronger and deeper. - When we sincerely repent, our guilt and sorrow is replaced with peace. - We feel God’s love for us and that he has forgiven us. Alma 36:

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! 21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy. - Even after we repent, sometimes we fall short again. But because we love him, we continually improve and repent. - As we do this, we will see that our lives change and improve. We will notice that we are becoming more like Jesus Christ. 3. Faith and repentance lead to the first ordinance of the gospel, Baptism - An ordinance is a sacred ceremony or rite that show we have entered into a covenant with God. - A covenant is a binding promise made between man and God. God sets the terms and we either accept or reject them. We promise to obey the covenant, and God promises to bless us. Keeping our covenants brings blessings in this life and eternal life in life to come. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be a born of b water and of the cSpirit, he cannot d enter into the kingdom of God. - Through the ordinance of baptism, we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and being born again. - We are baptized by immersion for the remission of sins. It represents the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. - It also symbolizes our re-birth. We give up our old life of sin, and commit to a new life of following the Savior. We are in essence “born again”. Mosiah 5:7-8 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the a children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are b changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are c born of him and have become his d sons and his daughters. And under this head ye are made a free, and there is b no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other c name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should d take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. - When we are baptized, we become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints and eventually to enter into God’s kingdom. Because they are a law of God, these ordinances need to be performed by someone with Priesthood authority. - After we are baptized, we show our faith by keeping our covenants. This means we regularly renew our baptismal covenant by partaking of the sacrament each week. It helps us to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us and reminds us of our covenant to always remember him and have his Spirit with us. 4. After we are baptized, we receive the 2nd ordinance of the gospel, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost - Jesus taught that we need to be baptized of water and also of the Spirit, and one without the other is incomplete. 3 Nephi 27:20 Now this is the commandment: a Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be b baptized in my name, that ye may be c sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand d spotless before me at the last day. - Only when we receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can we receive a remission of our sins and become completely spiritually reborn - After baptism, an authorized Priesthood holder places their hands on the person’s head and confirms them a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They then confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. - People who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost can then have the Spirit as a constant companion. 2 Nephi 2:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will ashow unto you all things what ye should do. - There are many blessings that come from this precious gift: ○ The Holy Ghost has a cleansing or purifying effect on us ○ The Holy Ghost helps us recognize truth and testifies of Christ ○ He provides spiritual strength to do what is right ○ He provides comfort during trial or sorrow ○ He warns of spiritual or physical danger ○ It helps us feel God’s love and direction for us 5. The last principle of the gospel is enduring to the end. - This means that after we have entered into the straight and narrow path by developing a faith in Christ, repenting, and choosing to be baptized and confirmed, we continue to stay on the right path - This means that we continue exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, making commitments, and following the Spirit. - After we have been forgiven of our sins, we should do our very best to remain free from sin so that we can have the Spirit with us. - When we are baptized, we promise to keep his commandments for the rest of our lives. If we fall short and make mistakes, we need to repent and renew our covenant to be able to retain the promised blessings.We also promise to serve others, do good works, and follow the Savior. - As we do these things, we will not only be happier and feel closer to Heavenly Father, but we will eventually qualify for eternal life. -

2 Nephi 31:15-16 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the a words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that b endureth to the c end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall a endure to the end, in following the b example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. -

Will you continue to develop faith in Jesus Christ by continuing to learn about His gospel by coming to church with us this Sunday? Will you repent and pray for forgiveness of sins? When could we come back?

Any questions? Why is it important for you to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?...