The S.O.S. Lesson Materials
 Why we need a Savior

Introduction: Some people do not immediately accept the `good news' of salvation because they have not seen their need for a Savior. They do not realize their which can only be remedied by Christ. They do not see their separation from God, that they are spiritually dead. They cannot see the NEED TO BE SAVED. Read Genesis 3:4-10.

  1. HOW THE HUMAN RACE BECAME LOST
    Man could have remained in right standing with God, innocent and untainted through obedience. Eve & Adam disobeyed God by listening to the Devil. Disobedience broke the happy relationship between man and God. It was to this "lost world" that Jesus came, Luke 19:10.

  2. THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST SIN ON THE HUMAN RACE What came into the heart of Adam and Eve after they sinned?
    1. GUILT, being aware that they have violated God & His Law.
    2. FEAR, Why were they afraid? Because they knew that God knew they have sinned. God rightly have something against them.
    3. SEPARATION, SIN raised a barrier between God and man. It broke the fellowship between God and man. Illustration: Disobedience to parents breaks closeness with them. You know they rightly have something against you!
    4. DEATH, Sin brought death! Man's soul (his spiritual nature) became dead towards God (like an animal, without spirit). Man is no longer alive unto God, which means he cannot respond to Him! Death as a result of sin, does not mean that man stopped existing. IN THIS LIFE he exists in a state of separation from God (Who is Life) until he repents and is saved. If not, he will be eternally separated from God AFTER THIS LIFE! 2TH 1:8-9;9.
    5. CONDEMNATION, or judgment, JOH 3:18, 36, "already condemned", positioned under the wrath of God, like rebels doing their own thing.

  3. RESULTS OF THAT FIRST SIN UPON US PERSONALLY
    1. WE ARE DEAD IN SIN. The part of us that could love and have fellowship with God is destroyed. We lost the ability to live in oneness with God. The sinner's body is alive but the part that knew God (the human spirit) is dead (Eph.2:1).Illustration: Anesthesia deadens the jaw to pain for a while, yet the body is still alive.
    2. WE ARE BORN WITH A SINFUL NATURE. Born with a sinful heart, easy to do wrong and so hard to do right (PSA 52:3). Children of wrath by nature (EPH 2:3).
    3. WE ARE GUILTY. ROM 7:18-21 - Because of our sinful nature, we commit sinful acts. Then, because we sin we're guilty!
    4. WE ARE BOUND. ROM 6:16 JOH 8:34 - in yielding to sin, we became its slave. We are under its control and influence!

  4. WE MUST HAVE A SAVIOR BECAUSE NO ONE CAN SAVE HIMSELF.
    We must let Jesus save us. GAL 3:21-22 God Himself saw the need: There is no other way that we can receive life. God concluded that ALL are under SIN. This means that any human attempt to save self will fail. It also means that no human being can pretend to save another human being. So God sent a Savior, Jesus. MAT 1:21 JOH 4:42 EPH 2:1-10. Illustration: A person bitten by a snake is helpless to fight the poison spreading in his the body system. He needs antitoxin injections.

CHALLENGE: Illustration: every drowning in the sea. We all need a Savior who is not drowning with us in the waters. Jesus Christ is ready to save you now!