 
 
     |
We Believe In:
Salvation
Assurance of Salvation
Baptism
Church membership
Rededication to the Lord
Commitment to God's work
Christian maturity
 Have
you come to a place in your life that you know for
certain that you have eternal life and that you will go
to heaven when you die?
Suppose
you were standing before God right now and He asked you,
"Why should I let you into My heaven?" What
would you say?
God's purpose
God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible
states it this way, "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's purpose is that we
have eternal life.
We receive
eternal life as a free gift (Romans 6:23).
We can
live a full and meaningful life right now (John 10:10).
We will
spend eternity with Jesus in heaven (John 14:3).
Our need
As we search for meaning in life, we discover our sinful
nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our
lives.
We are all
sinners by nature and by choice. "For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23).
We cannot
save ourselves (Ephesians 2:9).
We deserve
death and hell (Romans 6:23).
God's provision
God is holy and just and must punish sin. Yet He loves us
and provides forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
Jesus is
God and became man (John 1:1,14).
Jesus died
for us on the cross (I Peter 3:18).
Jesus was
resurrected from the dead (Romans 4:25).
Our response
The only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to
receive Him. The Bible says, "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).
We must
repent of our sin.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
- Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin (Acts
26:20).
- Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning to
God through Jesus.
We must
place our faith in Jesus.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
(Ephesians 2:8).
- Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus (James
2:19).
- Faith is trusting in Jesus.
We must
surrender to Jesus as Lord. "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. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).
- Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we
give our lives to Jesus (Matthew 7:21).
- Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control
of our lives.
Commitment
As evidence of giving Jesus control we will want to
identify with Him. The New Testament way to identify with
Jesus is to confess Jesus publicly and follow Him in
baptism and church membership (Romans 10:13).
"Does
what we have been discussing make sense to you?"
"Is
there any reason why you would not be willing to receive
God's gift of eternal life?"
"Are
you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in
Jesus right now?"
Prayer of commitment
Dear Lord Jesus ... I believe You are the Son of God ...
and died to forgive me of my sins ... I know I have
sinned I ask You to forgive me ... I turn from my sins
and I receive You as my Lord and Savior... Thank You for
saving me. Amen.
My commitment: Lord Jesus, thank You for
saving me. I want to live for You the rest of my life.
Do you doubt your salvation? Doubts are not uncommon
to Christians.
God's purpose
God
intends for us to know we have eternal life. The Bible
says, "He that hath the Son hath 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" (1 John 5:12-13).
God
intends for us to experience the joy of salvation (John
15:10-11).
Our need
Why do you feel you need assurance of your salvation?
Bible writers also expressed the need for renewal (Psalm
51:12).
Has sin or
disobedience caused you to doubt your salvation?
Has Satan
placed doubts in your mind (Genesis 3:1)?
Have you
neglected prayer, Bible study, worship, and witness?
Do you
have unanswered questions about God or about daily
experiences of life?
God's provision
God has
promised to complete His work of salvation in us
(Philippians 1:6).
Jesus
promises assurance of eternal life. "He that
heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).
Jesus said
no one could take the Christian out of His hand (John
10:28).
The Holy
Spirit tells us we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).
Our response
We receive
God's assurance by faith and express it through obedience
(1 John 2:3-5). Christians are not to trust only their
feelings. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians
5:7).
Confess
all known sin. "If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Commit
yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans
10:9-10).
Claim
God's promises of salvation by faith. Know. Believe.
Commit. (2 Timothy 1:12).
Obey God's
commands (John 14:21; 15:10).
My Commitment: Father, I place my
complete faith in You and thank You for the assurance of
salvation.
Have you been baptized by immersion since receiving
Christ as Savior?
Baptism is a response of obedience to Jesus Christ as
Lord (Acts 2:38,41). Although baptism does not save, it
demonstrates our recognition of the lordship of Christ
over every aspect of our lives. "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20).
God's purpose
We declare
our new life in Christ through baptism (Acts 2:41;
8:35-38; 16:25-34).
The
essentials of the gospel-death, burial, and resurrection
of Jesus - are portrayed in baptism (1 Corinthians
15:1-4).
Your
spiritual death, burial, and resurrection are pictured in
baptism (Romans 6:3-4).
Our need
We need to
confess Christ publicly through baptism soon after we are
saved (Matthew 10:32).
We need to
obey Christ's command (Matthew 28:19).
We need to
join the fellowship of the church family (Acts 2:41).
We need to
follow Christ's example (Matthew 3:13-15).
God's provision
Jesus
began His public ministry with baptism (Mark 1:9-11).
Immersion
in water (placed under) is the proper way to be baptized
(Acts 8:38).
Jesus has
given authority to the local church to baptize (Matthew
28:19-20).
Our response
Request
the local church to baptize you.
Be
baptized as an expression of obedience to Christ (Acts
2:41).
Influence
others through your baptism (Acts 16:31-33). In summary,
the essentials of baptism are: Believe in Jesus for
salvation; ask the local church for baptism; be immersed
in water.
My commitment: Father, I want to obey
You and let others know I have a new life in Jesus
Christ. Bless me as I follow Jesus in baptism.
Are you an active member of a local church? Where?
Jesus built the church (Matthew 16:18) and gave Himself
for the benefit of the church (Ephesians 5:25). The
church is made up of God's people. To love Christ is to
love His church.
God's purpose
We can be
a part of God' s work through the church. "So
we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one
members one of another" (Romans 12:5).
As a part
of the church, we can worship with other Christians
(Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 5:19-20).
As a part
of the church, we can evangelize (share our faith with
people) (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
As a part
of the church, we learn how to become the kind of people
God wants us to be (2 Peter 3:18).
As a part
of the church, we can minister to one another (1
Corinthians 12:12-26).
Our need
We need
the fellowship of other Christians (1 John 1:3). We need
to publicly identify with the family of God (Acts
2:41-42).
We need
strength for daily living, which comes through fellowship
with other Christians (Hebrews 3:13).
We can
express our personal talents and spiritual gifts through
the church (Romans 12:4-8).
God's provision
God
established the church as the body of Christ (Ephesians
4:4; Colossians 1:18).
God
provides for church membership through the invitation of
the local church (Revelation 22:17).
God
encourages every Christian to participate in church
membership (Hebrews 10:25).
Jesus set
the example for us through His custom of regular
synagogue attendance (Luke 4:16).
Our response
You may
become a member of the local church fellowship by
professing your faith and by being baptized (Acts 2:41,
47).
You may
share the fellowship of the local church by joining its
membership.
You may
join a church by a statement that you have been baptized
by a local church of like faith and order.
Will you
commit yourself to become an active member of a local
Bible teaching church?
My commitment: Dear Lord, thank You for
the church. Help me to be a faithful church member and
support my church family.
Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life? Why do you think
you are not as close to Him as you once were?
God's purpose
God wants
to reclaim the usefulness of your life and restore the
joy of your salvation (John 15:10-11).
Christ
wants to be Lord of all your life. "And why
call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I
say?" (Luke 6:46).
God wants
to cleanse you from sin.
God wants
you to live in fellowship with Him (l John 1:7).
God wants
to fill you with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
God will
make you acceptable for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
Our need
Often we
fail to please God.
Personal
sin hinders fellowship with God. "But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not
hear" (Isaiah 59:2).
We feel
the need for a closer relationship with Jesus (Luke
15:21).
God's provision
God is
ready to forgive and restore you (l John 1:9).
The blood
of Jesus will cover sins. "But if we walk in
the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Christians
will forgive you and welcome you back (Galatians 6:1)
Our response
Confess
your sins (Proverbs 28:13).
Recommit
yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:36).
Yield
yourself daily to Jesus Christ and experience the
fullness of His life in you (Romans 6:12-13; Galatians
2:20).
The heart
of the matter is lordship! We are reminded that Jesus
said, "If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow
me" (Luke 9:23). We must so commit
ourselves to Him that reaffirmation will have lasting
significance.
My commitment: Lord Jesus, I want to
acknowledge my sin and recommit myself to You as Lord. I
trust You to provide the strength for me to live for You
the rest of my life.
What do you think God wants you to do with your life?
God wants you to know His will (Ephesians 5:17), and He
will help you discover it (Romans 12:1).
God's purpose
Every
Christian is called to Christian service (Ephesians 4:1).
God
reaches out through His people to the world (2
Corinthians 5:20).
God gives
us spiritual gifts to minister to others (Romans 12:6; 1
Peter 4:10).
God gives
leaders to the church to equip its people for ministry.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:11-12).
Our need
Our need
is to be laborers in the fields that are white to harvest
(Luke 10:2).
We need to
win the world to Christ because the world is lost and
going to hell (Matthew 7:13-14).
Our need
is to do the will of God (Philippians 2:13).
We need to
train others for service (Ephesians 4:11-12).
God's provision
God will
not ask you to do anything He will not equip you to do.
God calls
you to Christian service(l Samuel 3:8; Acts 9:1-20).
God
promises to be with you and to help you (Exodus 4:12;
Joshua 1:9).
The Holy
Spirit will empower you (Acts 1:8).
Anything
He leads you to do is possible in His strength
(Philippians 4:13).
Our response
Prove what
is God's will for vocational service by complete
surrender to Christ as Lord (Romans 12:1-2).
Be willing
to do God's will (Acts 9:6).
Trust God
for guidance. "Trust in the Lord with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
If you are
willing to do God' s will, He will reveal His will to
you. There is no need to be anxious. He will lead you a
step at a time. Respond to each step as He reveals it and
act by faith. Counsel with Christian leaders(l Samuel
3:1-10). Begin serving faithfully where you are
(Ecclesiastes 9:10). Pray for guidance.
My commitment: Dear Lord, thank You for
providing a perfect plan for my life. I am committed to
doing Your will as You reveal it to me.
Do you want to grow in your relationship with God each
day? As a Christian it is natural for you to want to know
Jesus better and to be complete in Him (Colossians
2:10a). Through your obedience Jesus can become involved
in every intimate part of your life (John 14:21). You
will move beyond yourself, letting Christ assume full
direction and control. This will lead you into a
maturing, personal relationship with God.
Abide
in Christ. Then God will help you grow as a
Christian; but you must keep a close relationship with
Him. As a disciple, you must deny yourself (renounce your
self-centered life), take up your cross, and live daily
for Christ (Luke 9:23).
Live
in the Word. You grow as you study the Bible
regularly (1 Peter 2:2). Begin each day by reading the
Bible and you will grow to maturity (2 Peter 3:18).
Pray
in faith. Prayer is worship and conversing with
God (John 15:7). Your prayer delights God. Talk to Him
throughout each day. Believe His promises. Prayer will
help you gain strength and overcome temptation.
Fellowship
with believers. Christ wants you to fellowship
(participate, share) regularly with your brothers and
sisters in Christ in His church. Your love for others
will show that you are a disciple (disciplined follower)
of Christ (John 13:34-35).
Witness
to others. Tell others how you came to know
Christ (Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). God is pleased
when you bear fruit (John 15:8). The greatest fruit is
leading others to Christ.
Practice
faithful stewardship. Giving helps keep your
priorities in order. Start systematically giving
(tithing) 10 percent of your income to Christ' s church
(1 Corinthians 16:2). Practice giving to meet the needs
of others (Luke 6:38). You will reap joy as you sow (2
Corinthians 9:6-7).
My commitment: Heavenly Father, I want
to be more like You. I commit myself to study Your Word,
to pray, to fellowship with believers, to share Christ
with others, and to give faithfully. Help me to grow in
Christian maturity in each area.
|
