First Baptist Church
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Our God Is...INCOMPARABLE!

How To Know Christ

In simple terms...

          The Bible teaches that every human being who has ever lived, except for Jesus Christ, has sinned - done things that displease the heart of God.  The penalty or "wages" or "earnings" of sin is steep....Death.  But God demonstrated His love toward you and me in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  In order for someone to take the penalty away from us, He had to be divine and perfect, and He also had to be human.  God sent His Son Jesus who became human flesh and paid the penalty for your sins and mine.  If we will believe this and accept His sacrifice for us, God takes away our sins, the sentence of death on our lives, and gives us eternal life.  See, Jesus did not stay dead.  He rose again on the third day, just as He had promised.  By that same power over death, God will breathe eternal life into your soul when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  If this is something you are considering, please contact me, Pastor Billy, at your first opportunity - bshaw@fbcstanley.org or 704-263-4783 x. 221.

For a more detailed explanation of the Gospel, you can read the F.A.I.T.H. explanation below.

A Step of FAITH

In your personal opinion... What do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven?
Consider how the Bible answers this question. It is a matter of 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 1:7

A is for AVAILABLE
Forgiveness is available. It is --

  • Available for All. "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
  • But Not Automatic. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the
    kingdom of heaven" Matthew 7:21

    I is for IMPOSSIBLE
    It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
  • Because of who He is: God is loving and just. His judgement is against sin.
    "For judgement is without mercy" James 2:13a
  • Because of who we are: Every person is a sinner. "For all have sinned
    and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
    But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?

    T is for TURN
    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. "If you confess with you mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God 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 have it more abundantly" John 10:10b
  • Hereafter... "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with
    Me 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 trusting in Christ and asking for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him. Then tell someone about the important decision you have made. Grow in your faith and enjoy new friends in Christ by becoming part of His church and attending Sunday School and Worship a church has just for you.
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