In Luke Chapter 16, in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, it was clear that the Rich Man did not know how to get to heaven.

Twice, the Rich Man pleaded for someone to go and tell his brethren so that they would not be like him and end up in hell! Yet, the same answer is repeated twice to the Rich Man, that all a person needs to understand how to get to heaven is found in God's Word.

The question is not what the Rich Man did know, but what the Rich Man should have known, because from cover to cover, the overall message of the Bible tells us how sinful man can be in a right relationship with Holy God and not go to Hell, but how to go to Heaven, all because of faith in Christ, the Promised One alone.

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

In Luke Chapter 16, through the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Lord Jesus dispels four myths about death:

Myth 1: The teaching of universalism at death

Myth 2: The teaching of annihilation at death

Myth 3: The teaching of a second chance for the unbeliever after death

Myth 4: The teaching of purgatory for the believer after death

What was the reason why Jesus told this story/parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

It is because the Lord Jesus wants us to know not only the reality of heaven, but also the reality of hell for all those who refuse to hear His Word and trust in Christ alone for their salvation.

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

This one parable depicted in three parts, as told by our Lord Jesus, was to drive home three main points:

* One sinner has GREAT VALUE!

* One sinner is worth the GREATEST SACRIFICE!

* And over one sinner who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus, there is GREAT REJOICING!

This pointed parable reminds us that we were THE ONE for whom Christ came and died for our sins, so that we can be no longer LOST, but FOUND in a right relationship with Him!

But also, this parable points us to now be THE ONE -- like a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, a diligent seeker looking for their lost coin, or a compassionate parent longing for their lost son--to go and seek out others so that they too would be no longer LOST, but FOUND in Christ!

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

How can people in one moment be waving Palm Branches shouting out to the Lord Jesus, "Hosanna, Hosanna," but then less than a week later... some of those very same people may have been part of the crowd shouting, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"

Why the sudden turn? Many of the people back then, and even people yet today, do not understand WHO JESUS IS and WHY JESUS CAME.

Christ came to SET US FREE from our greatest problem which is SIN,--both past, present, and one day in the future. As Galatians Chapter 5:1 states, it was for FREEDOM that, "Christ hath made us free."

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

One of the key texts for the Biblical basis for reaching children is found in Matthew Chapter 18.

This passage is one of the foundation texts that the Lord used in the life of the Rev. Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, the founder of Child Evangelism Fellowship almost 90 years ago in 1937.

Matthew Chapter 18:1-14 are powerful verses that continue to build one upon another until the Lord Jesus reaches the climax of unveiling the will of the Father concerning one of these little ones saying, "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

The Biblical Basis for reaching children does not begin in the New Testament, but in the opening pages of the Bible in Genesis and throughout the Old Testament.

Three key passages found in the Old Testament are Deuteronomy Chapter 6, Judges Chapter 2, and Psalm Chapter 78.

The LORD GOD's desire for the children, including for the future generations yet to be born, is to KNOW GOD, LOVE GOD, and WALK WITH GOD all of their days and to pass on their knowledge of the true and living God and how to be in a right relationship with Him, to each succeeding generation.

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

There are many methods in how to share the Gospel, but there is only ONE GOSPEL MESSAGE which never changes because it is rooted and grounded in God's Word.

If you were to summarize the Gospel message, it would rest upon FOUR FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS:

1) Who God Is

2) Who Man Is

3) Who Jesus Is and What Jesus Did

4) And What Jesus Provides... for all those who by God's Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone trusts in Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life!

The bottom-line message of the Gospel is simply this: The Gospel is God's righteous way to save unrighteousness sinners, so that sinful man can be reconciled to Holy God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

This is the Gospel Foundational message of all of Scripture!

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.

Over 160 years ago in the mid-1880's, an unknown minister shared with the Rev. Charles Spurgeon a three-leaf booklet that contained only three colors which reminded him of the precious truths of the Gospel of Christ.

Over time, that three-leaf booklet developed into a full, 5-color booklet, known as the Wordless Book:

1) GOLD which stands for God and the street of gold in heaven.

2) DARK for sin which points us to the darkness within each of our hearts.

3) RED for the precious blood of Christ shed for our sins.

4) CLEAN for the forgiveness of our sins through faith alone in Christ.

5) GREEN for our new life in Christ and ongoing spiritual growth!

That simple, yet clear presentation of the Gospel shared through the method of the Wordless Book has been used by God to share the message of salvation with countless others, including many children who have trusted in Christ!

We hope you enjoy listening to the story of the Wordless Book!

Go to our website to learn more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois.