| Plan of Salvation |
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What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?
Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing why. They exist year after year with no idea of why they live or what God’s purpose is for their lives. The most basic question a person can ask is, “What is the meaning of my life?”
Everyone wants to be happy. People try many ways...
Some look for happiness through POSSESSIONS.
REAL happiness comes when you understand LIFE’S PURPOSE.
Why Are You Here?
1. God made you so He could LOVE you!
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3b NIV
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV
2. You were created to ENJOY a personal relationship with God.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b NKJV
3. When you know and love God, and live in harmony with His purpose for your life, it produces tremendous BENEFITS…
1. Clear Conscience - Romans 8:1 2. Life and Peace - Romans 8:6 3. Help with Weakness - Romans 8:26 4. Purpose - Romans 8:28 5. Confidence - Romans 8:31 6. Security - Romans 8:38-39 7. Power and Strength - Philippians 4:13 8. Fulfillment - Philippians 4:19 9. Freedom - John 8:32
What’s The Problem?
People have a natural desire to be in charge and ignore God’s principles for living.
“You have to look out for #1” “Do your own thing” “If it feels good… do it – despite what God says about it” “It’s my life and I’ll do what I please”
The Bible calls these attitudes SIN.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 NIV
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 NIV
Sin breaks our close relationship with God. It causes us to fear God and try to live our lives outside His Will.
“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
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 NIV
When our relationship with God is not right, it causes problems in every area of our lives – marriage, career, relationships, finances, etc. When people have problems, they often try many different ways of coping before turning to God.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 16:25 NIV
Even when we know that our deepest need is God, we often try wrong ways of getting to know Him…
“My parents were Christians, so…” “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just be sincere.” “I’ll give up all my bad habits.” “I’ll work really hard and earn it.” “I’ll be religious and go to church.”
These are all attempts to receive Salvation by SUBTRACTION.
What’s The Solution?
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.’” John 14:6 NIV
God came to earth as a human being in the form of Christ the Son in order to bring us back to Himself. If any other way would have worked, Jesus Christ would not have had to come and die. Jesus has already taken care of our sin problem!
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NIV
God did this for us because He loves us and wants us to know Him.
“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 already done His part to restore our relationship to Him. He took the initiative. Now He wants us to individually accept what He has done for us.
What Does God Want Me To Do?
1. Admit that God has not been in first place in your life and ask him to forgive your sins.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
2. Believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that He rose again and is alive today.
“…If you confess with your mouth that ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NIV
3. Accept God’s free gift of salvation. Don’t try to earn it!
“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
4. Invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and be Lord of your life.
“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13 NIV
“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
You can take these steps by praying a prayer of commitment:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for making me and loving me, even when I’ve ignored you and gone my own way. I realize I need you in my life and I am sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please help me to understand it more. As much as I know now, I want to follow You from now on. Please come into my live and make me a new person inside. I accept Your gift of salvation. Please help me grow now as a Christian. AMEN.”
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NIV
You Are Secure
The Bible teaches that once you enter into relationship with God in faith, He will continue to mold you into His perfect image.
“…because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14 NIV
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37 NIV
Salvation means you are saved from every enemy of your relationship with God. The Scripture assures you of being secure in Christ against all of the enemies of your soul.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.” Romans 8:1-3 NIV
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
“Being confident… that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
“I give [my sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28 NIV
Spiritual growth doesn’t mean becoming more saved as you become more like Christ. It means you’ll become more like Him because you have been saved. This spiritual growth is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual growth isn’t just conforming to certain behaviors; it’s a spiritual transformation that starts on the inside. Conforming to expected behaviors merely shows what we can do.
True spiritual transformation results in outward righteousness and demonstrates what God can do.
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
You Are An Important Member Of A New Family
“Capturing the Culture of Christ!” You will find that phrase on about everything we publish at Town East, but what does it mean?
As a new Christian and/or church member you have been adopted into a family of faith through the sacrifice symbolized by the cross! You will worship, pray, fellowship, and minister with this new family. These activities help bind us together as we strive in, “Capturing the Culture of Christ!”
In order for the family to function smoothly and harmoniously, each member must make a positive contribution. It is important, and God expects for you, to participate in the life and ministry of the church. As a result of your commitment and participation the church will benefit and you will grow to be more like Christ.
You Are A Witness
Your salvation experience is personal and no one else can tell it like you can. Christ has commanded you to be a witness to His saving power. Take some time this week to write down your testimony of how God has changed your life. Then think of people you can share it with such as immediate and extended family members, coworkers, neighbors, friends, etc. As you read your Bible and pray this week ask God to give you opportunities to be a witness.
You are also a witness through daily living. Asking the question, “What would Jesus do?” before acting, reacting, or speaking is an effective way of altering sinful behavior. Each of us needs help to consistently do what Jesus would do in every situation. |
