MEET JESUS
We all want to feel loved and valued, and we all desire our lives to have a purpose. The following steps are ways to help you see how all of those things can be fulfilled by having a relationship with Jesus. Take a moment to open your heart, be honest with yourself, and seek the truth that only Christ provides. It is our hope and prayer that once you finish walking through these steps you will be introduced to and begin a relationship with the Savior of the world, Jesus.
Step 1: our sin
Sin is the great separator and was never part of God’s original plan. God created us to have a relationship and to live in full fellowship with Him (Gen.1&2), but sin destroyed that relationship. Like cancer enters and destroys the body, sin entered the world, destroying all of God’s creation and separating us from him. Isaiah 59:2 says, “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Sin destroys our soul, world, and separates us from Jesus. We cannot run from it (Romans 10:10). It is who we are and determines our eternal destination (Romans 3:23), but it does not have to end this way.
Put Into Practice:
What do I do? Admit to yourself and to God that you are a sinner.
Step 2: God’s love
Sin is the destroyer, but God’s love has the power to destroy Sin. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God demonstrated his love by restoring mankind to the relationship and fellowship he intended by dying on a cross for the sins of mankind. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Do you want the love of Christ in your life?
Put Into Practice:
Tell Jesus you want His love and ask Him to forgive you of your sins.
Step 3: free gift
Jesus offers his love to all who believe. Believing takes faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth, he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Believing involves action and the action Christ requires is one that is influenced by faith in Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Following Christ through faith means allowing him to save you from sin and turning from the life you are living so you can have a relationship with Jesus.
Put Into Practice:
Tell Jesus that you believe He is Lord. That you believe He died on the cross to save you from your sins and that you believe He defeated sin and death three days after His crucifixion by resurrecting from the dead. Ask Him to come into your life and to save you from sin. Simply follow Him by having faith that you believe in Him and need Him to save you.
Step 4: new life
If you have accepted who you are in sin, understand who Jesus is, entrusted your life to Him through Faith, and want to turn from the person you use to be to become the person Christ wants you to be, then we believe you are saved. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Through Christ, we have the ability to live as Christ intended. He brings us back into relationship and fellowship with him. We are saved from Hell and are secured in Christ for all eternity! This is a reason to celebrate and rejoice!
However, we still live in a world manifested by sin, so it does not mean we will not be tempted or have bad things happen. This will continue until Jesus comes again, takes his followers home, and creates a new heaven and a new earth. This does not mean we will magically stop sinning, but it does mean we have a new desire to not sin. Psalm 37:4 says, Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” In Christ, our new delight is in him and our desire to delight in him is shown through our lives. Jesus reminds us in the book of John, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”
Put Into Practice:
Thank Jesus for saving you from sin and eternal Hell. Thank Him that He has now opened His home, Heaven, and a new life (second chance) to you. Share this news with us and someone else. Let them know what Jesus has done for you.
Final Step: Living the New Life
Christ does not want us to do life alone. John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” In Christ, we are not only a new creation, but we are a new family. A godly family loves each other, lives life together, and worships Christ together. This is the beauty of God’s local church. We hope you will let us know about the decision you made today to follow Jesus by contacting us by submitting the information below. We want to rejoice with you, pray for you, and give you a special gift. We also want you to join us on Sunday as we gather together to praise Jesus. Service times and information about activities are located on our homepage.
Put Into Practice:
Contact Village Church or your local church to share with them about your relationship with Jesus. Find out how you can serve and be a part of what Jesus is doing in your church. Find a bible study or ministry you can be a part of and tell someone else about your new relationship with Jesus.