Salvation

Salvation
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LIFE’S GREATEST DISCOVERY

GOD had a plan when he designed the universe in which we live. HE also had a plan when HE designed you. The most wonderful experience you can have is to discover and participate in GOD’S plan for your life.

1.        Life’s greatest discovery begins when you realize God loves you, and has a
           wonderful plan for your life.
           (A life with meaning and purpose now and in the life to come.)

The Bible says,
“God loves you.” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:16.

God wants you to know His plan for your life.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (a life full of meaning and purpose) – John 10:10b.

From the Bible you see that God loves you and wants you to enjoy the abundant life. Why do you suppose most people are not experiencing GOD’S love and enjoying an abundant life?

2. Because. . .

          Man is a sinner and sin has separated him from God. God created man in His
          image and gave him an abundant life. He did not make him as a puppet on a
          string to love and obey Him automatically; but gave him a will and freedom of
          choice.

Man chose to disobey God and go his own self-willed, sinful way. Man is still making this choice today. Everyone of us, you and me included, has chosen to disobey God in many ways . . .

Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you . . . – Isaiah 59:2.

The Bible says that there is not one perfect man.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not – Ecclesiastes 7:20
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23.

Sin is missing the mark of perfection, a falling short of God’s plan for your life and results in spiritual death. For the wages of sin is death (separation from God in Hell) – Romans 6:23.

Man through the ages has tried to bridge the gap which separates himself from God by doing works . . . living moral lives . . . devising profound
philosophies . . . even being religious. But he has always failed.

There is only one remedy for the problem of sin and separation.

3. Third . . .

God’s remedy for sin is Jesus Christ crucified.

When Jesus died on the cross. He paid for our sins and bridged the gap that separates us from God.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just and the unjust, that he might bring us to God – 1 Peter 3:18a.

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved – Acts 4:12.

The Bible says that Jesus died a humiliating, agonizing death. His death paid the penalty for all our sins. But He didn’t stay dead. He rose again that we might be right with God. The gap created by our sin has been bridges by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

He died for our sins.
But God commendeth (proved) His love towards, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8.

He rose from the dead.
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 – Romans 10:9.

                    Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
                    Jesus said unto him, :I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh
                   unto the Father, but by me” – John 14:6.

It is not enough to discover that God loves you and has a plan for your life . . .
that man is a sinner . . . and Christ is God’s remedy for sin . . .

4. Fourth . . .

You must receive Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour.

It is your decision.
Receiving Christ involves turning over control of your life to Christ.

WHO CONTROLS YOUR LIFE?

On which side are you?
On which side would you like to be?

Here’s how you can personally receive Christ.

Trust Jesus and receive Him by personal invitation.

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name – John 1:12.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved – Romans
10:13.

Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice, and open the
door I will come in to him – Revelation 3:20.

Jesus is seeking entrance into your life at this moment.

Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?

It’s really very simple, much like taking . . .

FOUR STEPS

Step One – Face the fact that your sins has separated you from the God who
loves you.
Step Two – Be willing to turn away from your sin ad toward God. This is
called repentance.
Step Three –Place your trust in (Believe) the fact that Jesus died for you,
and that he arose in victory over death.
Step Four – Invite Jesus to take control of your life, forgive your sin and make
you right with God.

     Trusting Christ is more than mentally recognizing Him as the Son of God or
     having an emotional experience. You must receive Him as your Lord and Saviour
     by faith.

     You can express these steps to God by talking to Him in prayer. He isn’t
     particularly concerned with great words, but with the meaning that comes
     from your heart.

      The following is a suggested prayer:
      Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Thank you for dying on the cross for
      my sins. I open the door do my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord.
     Take control of my life and help me be the kind of person you want me to be.
     Amen.

    Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
      Right now you can pray this prayer and Jesus Christ will come into your life as
     He has promised.

   Here’s how to KNOW Jesus Christ is in your life!

     1.    Did you invite Christ into your life?

     2.    According to Revelation 10:13, where is Christ right now?

3. What does Romans 10:13 say God will do when a person prays and
invites Christ into their life?

4. Would God lie to you?

5. Eternal life is promised in the Bible to all who receive Christ as personal
Saviour.

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is
     in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of
    God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the
    name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that
    ye may believe on the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:11-13.

Eternal life is a gift and cannot be earned. It is a part of God’s wonderful plan
for your life.

Many people wonder about feelings.
FEELINGS CHANGE . . .

     But God and His Word will never change. We are to live by faith, (trusting in the
     promises of God found in the Bible). For without faith, it is impossible to please
     God.

Will you live your life by feelings (which constantly change) or by faith in God and
His Word which cannot change?

Many wonderful things happen when you receive Christ. Here are a few:

1. Christ came into your life. Revelation 3:20 . . . I will come in to him .

2. You become a child of God. John 1:12 . . . Power to become the Sons of God.

3. Your sins were forgiven, Colossians 1:14 . . . The forgiveness of sins.

4. You have eternal life. Romans 6:23 . . . The gift of God is eternal life.

  Nothing more wonderful could happen to you than receiving Christ.
   It would please God for you to thank Him through prayer right now for what He has
   done for you.

This prayer of thanksgiving demonstrates your love for God.

What’s next?

   As a newborn baby has a lifetime of learning and growth ahead of him . . . so you,
   a new child of God, have an exciting life of spiritual growth ahead of you. Here are
   some ways you can grow spiritually:

1. Tell someone what you have done, then continue telling others about Christ.
(Acts 1:8)

2. Be baptized. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ.
(Acts 8:35-40)

3. Read your Bible. (II Timothy 2:15). You need to study your Bible daily to
become aware of what God wants to do for you and through you.

4. Talk to God often in prayer. Share with Him your joys, sorrows, needs . . .your
whole life. (Philippians 4:6-7)

5. Come to church regularly and share in the growth, worship and fellowship.
(Hebrews 10:25)

Here’s what the Bible says about Baptism!

WHY?

Because . . .

1. God commands it. (Matthew 28:19-20)

2. Jesus was baptized. (Mark 1:9-11)

3. Baptism illustrates our salvation. (I Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 6:3-5)

HOW?

By Immersion in water because . . .

1. Jesus was immersed. (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11)

2. The Greek work baptizo means immersion.

3. The early church immersed. (Acts 2:41; 8:35-39)

When?

1. After Conversion. (Acts 8:35-39)

2. At your first opportunity. (Acts 8:38; 16:25-34)

You can see from the Bible the why, how, and when of baptism. This is part
of God’s plan for you and you should follow Christ in believer’s baptism as
soon as possible.

Here is what the Bible teaches about . . . The Church!

         The Bible commands us to attend church regularly. (Hebrews 10:25). You need
          to meet with others who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ and be taught from the
          Bible. You need the church for several reasons: worship, teaching, fellowship,
          counsel.

Several logs burn brightly together, but put one aside on the cold hearth and the
fire goes out. So it is with your relationship to other Christians. You need to
belong to a Bible-believing church. Do not wait to be invited. Take the initiative;
call the pastor of a nearby church where Christ is honored and His Word is
preached. Start this week, and make plans to attend regularly.

Share your discovery today!
Tell your friends and let us know.

Buckley Road Baptist Church
4962 Buckley Road
Liverpool, New York 13088