Interested in Becoming a Christian?
We often ask people in our community, "In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven?" We typically receive responses such as "be a good person," "live by the golden rule," "keep the Ten Commandments," "you gotta believe in the man upstairs" and "you just do the best you can and hope it is good enough in the end!"
We would like to share with you how the Bible answers this question. There is a word that can be used to answer this question: FAITH.
F is for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. "In Him (meaning Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" - Ephesians 1:7a.
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available. It is AVAILABLE FOR ALL - "For God so loved the world that He gaver His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" -- John 3:16. BUT NOT AUTOMATIC - "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven" -- Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. GOD IS - LOVE -- John 3:16; JUST -- "For judgment is without mercy" -- James 2:13a; MAN IS SINFUL -- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. You may be asking yourself, "But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?"
T is for TURN. Suppose for a moment that you were driving down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? They would be asking you to change direction, wouldn't they? Turn means repent. TURN from something -- sin and self -- "But unless you repent you will all likewise perish" - Luke 13:3b. TURN to Someone; trust Christ only -- The Bible tells us that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the thrird day according to the Scriptures" - 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" - Romans 10:9.
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. HERE - "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" - John 10:10b. HEREAFTER - "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" - John 14:3. HOW? How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By placing your FAITH in Jesus... Forsaking All I Trust Him.
Pray sincerely this prayer. This will be your step of FAITH. "Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that you arose from the grave. I now ask you to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul. Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer and saving me today. Amen."
God's Plan for you is to grow. Way to grow in your journey of faith are to: Read the Bible; Pray; Fellowship with other believers. God's Place for doing these important things is His church and the Sunday School. Here you will make friends, enjoy fellowship, and grow in your faith. You will learn more about how God wants you to live each day. Our church and Sunday School want to offer you the warmest and friendliest invitation to join us. Come GROW with us!
Growing Together,
Pastor Shane
