"For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16 (NIV)
"I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
-- John 10:10 (NIV)
Why don't
most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to
have?
Step 2
The Problem: Our Separation
God created us
in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to
automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose
to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today.
This results in separation from God.
The Bible
says ...
"For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -- Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"For the
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord." -- Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Our
Attempts to Reach God
People
have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ...
The
Bible says ...
"There is a
way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." -- Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
"But your
iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from
you, so that he will not hear."
-- Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
No
bridge reaches God ... except one.
Step 3
God's Bridge:
The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and
rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin
and bridged the gap between God and
people.
The Bible says ...
"For there is
one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." -- 1
Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
"For Christ
died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to
God." -- 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
"But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us." -- Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God has provided the only way. Each
person must make a choice.
Step 4
Our
Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible
says ...
"Here I am! I stand
at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come
in and eat with him, and he
with me."
-- Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
"Yet to
all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God."
-- John 1:12 (NIV)
"That if you
confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." --
Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Where are you?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is
how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need - (I am a
sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins - (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, ask Jesus Christ to
save you.
Step 5
Prayer
How to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness.
I
believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins.
Save
me Lord Jesus; for I know I can no longer live without you.
I
want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
Amen.
God's Assurance: His Word
If you prayed
this prayer from your heart,
The Bible
says ...
"Everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
-- Romans 10:13 (NIV)
Did you sincerely ask Jesus
Christ to save you?
Where is He right now?
What has He given you?
The Bible
says ...
"For it is by grace
you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God -- not by works, so that
no one can boast."
-- Ephesians 2:8,9 (NIV)
Receiving Christ, we are born into
God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every
believer.
This is called the "new birth." or
as Jesus described it being "born again."
Remember... because of
Jesus your are...
Having just
accepted Jesus as your Savior; you are
now at the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ.
Does this mean that
that every problem you have is instantly solved? NO!
But if you continue
to follow God and you build strong relationships with other brothers and sisters
in Christ... You will find that you begin to have victory over the things
that have been wearing you down; and before long you will look back and see that
your life has been put on a path that Jesus calls ABUNDANT LIFE
SO THEN...
To strengthen
your walk with God you should:
1. Read
your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Ask God to
help you find other Christians you can build real relationships with.
4. Tell
someone else about your decision to trust Jesus as your savior.
If you have just
accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior,
Click Here
so we can send you some free materials, to help you in your new walk with the
Lord.
If you live in the Holmes - Stark - Wayne
county area of Ohio...
and would like to learn more about
Jesus...
and build genuine relationships with other
Christians...
Let us know that as well!
We
Like to meet in our homes
Usually on Sundays
If You want to know more
about
Shilohouse Ministries