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Do You Know Jesus Christ?
Many have heard of Jesus, yet know a little about Him.
Some think of Him as a teacher / rabbi, others a prophet.
DO you know JESUS personally? Do you know that HE suffered, died, and rose again -
Just so ( you ) could have an eternal, everlasting relationship with HIM?
The Bible tells the story of God's love for us. ‘’ People.’’ In the beginning, God created [us] in HIS image so that we could have a relationship with Him.
Then sin entered into the world through satan’s pride and iniquity.
Satan too, is a ‘’ created being.’’ We ( ‘human-kind’ ) are created beings.
Created by GOD THE CREATOR of heaven and earth.
Genesis 1:27
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Satan, (formerly the covering cherub created by GOD), introduced sin, and mankind became separated from GOD. We were created good, and then sin entered the world. We essentially chose to try life on our own without God, instead of living our lives for God as we were designed.
God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins and bring us into a relationship with Him. Through Him, we can know the promise of eternal life and experience the joy of knowing God here on earth!
1 John Chapter 4
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
If you want to have a relationship with God, the Bible tells us that the first step is acknowledging that we have sinned and that there is nothing we can do to earn God's love - Romans 3:23-26 say’s:
Romans Chapter 3
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Next, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord Romans 10:9 -
Romans 10:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
This is how we begin to allow Him to guide our lives. Where we once wanted to control our own futures, we now invite Jesus into our hearts to be Lord over our lives.
Knowing God's purpose for( your ) life begins with a personal relationship
With CHRIST JESUS. JESUS becomes the bridge that spans the divide between us, and GOD ALMIGHTY. In the Gospel of John, JESUS tells us -
John Chapter 10
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.
Knowing God's peace, perspective, and purpose for your life begins with a personal relationship with Jesus.
Would you like to accept Jesus as Lord of your life?
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO A NEW LIFE WITH JESUS
God's purpose is life and peace: God desires for you to have life and peace now and for all eternity."I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b
Recognizing the problem: sin and separation: We were created to know, love and glorify God. When we choose to go our own way, living life in willful disobedience to God, we are choosing to be separated from God both now and for all eternity.The Bible says we are sinners…"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 But God is love…"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 And God is also just…"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
We cannot save ourselves: Because God is Holy, He cannot allow sin to enter into Heaven. Most people attempt to save themselves by their own efforts, good works or church attendance. The Bible says…"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 How then can a sinful person enter Heaven where God allows no sin?
We are saved by grace: { And this is important }
The good news is... in spite of our sin, Christ died for us."For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9" But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Responding to God's gift by faith: "If you declare 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
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD OF YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN PRAY THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You and ask You to forgive me. I'm sorry that my sin has hurt You and other people in my life. I acknowledge that I could never earn salvation by my good works, but I come to You and trust in what Jesus did for me on the cross.
I believe that You love me and that Jesus died and rose again so that I can be forgiven and come to know You. I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I trust You with everything, and I thank You for loving me so much that I can know You here on earth and spend the rest of eternity with You in heaven.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Great ! But what do I do now?
Just like a new baby needs to be cared for and nurtured in order to grow physically, a child of God needs to be nurtured in order to grow spiritually. Here's how you can begin growing in Christ:
Tell someone: Tell a pastor or Christian friend who will help you grow and find your gifts of service. "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:11, 12
Be baptized: This is your first act of obedience. "So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 10:48
Baptism becomes your public commitment to GOD. To JESUS CHRIST.
Your commitment, or ( covenant ) promise and acceptance into GOD’S family!
Join the church: The church is where God's family encourages and supports one another."How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
Pray and read your Bible daily: God communicates His will for your life through His Word and prayer."Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105
Seek a godly mentor: A mentor teaches you the ways of God and how to live a holy life.
THE FATHER, THE SON, THE HOLY SPIRIT...
1 John Chapter 5
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.