While you can see all the various ministries we offer and all about our congregation, there is one invaluable and wonderful thing that we can share with you - the Good News of the Gospel, which is that "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]). It is for this reason that we are a congregation, for it is our purpose to spread this Good News to everyone.
While it is wonderful to know this truth, following Jesus Christ is more than just adhering to a few set beliefs. It is more than praying a prayer. It is a personal relationship with the living God of the Universe through Jesus Christ by means of the Holy Spirit. It is an inward change, and a life of serving Christ with all we do.
The Bible tells us in the book of Genesis that God created the Heavens and the Earth, and everything within them, out of nothing. The last thing that God created was humankind, which He created in His own image (Genesis 1:26-28). And God saw that His creation was good.
The Bible tells us that God is eternal, having no beginning or end. God is almighty, all powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing and all-seeing (omniscient). The Bible tells us that He exists and reveals Himself as one God in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which is what Christians call the Trinity. It was this Holy God who created mankind.
Yet, mankind was tempted in the garden of Eden and became disobedient to God. This brought to the earth separation from God and the only punishment for sin - death. The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans that, "...the wages of sin is death..." (Rom. 6:23).
Through the Old Testament, God promised that one day He would reconcile His people to Him. During this time, blood sacrifices were offered to God for the forgiveness of sins - but this was only a temporary action. God also gave His law to be followed, which told His chosen people, the Jews, how they were to live their lives in accordance with His will.
As God promised, He did indeed reconcile His people to Him. When the time was just right, God Himself came into the world as the Son, to be born of a woman. This Son was none other than Jesus Christ, the only-begotten of the Father. God sent His Son into the world to proclaim the coming of God's Kingdom to earth, and to die for the sins of the people.
There is no one who is sinless, except Jesus. Romans 3:23 tells us that, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We have all rejected God's wishes and laws and because of this, we are all separated from God. This is the root of the confusion, failure, emptiness and lack of purpose that we sometimes experience. Does that describe your life? If you have not already given your life to Jesus, it probably does. Yet, amidst our feelings of pain and hopelessness, there is hope in Christ.
God's purpose for Jesus was to die for the sins of the people. He became the sacrificial lamb which was the once for all atonement for our sins. We deserved to be the ones to suffer the wrath of God and thus eternal separation. Yet when the time had fully come, Christ took the wrath of God, the burden of our sins, upon Himself. He did this because He loves us. And because of his torturous death and the blood shed on Calvary's cross, God offers us atonement (a cleansing of our sin), love and reconciliation (the opportunity for a right relationship with God again). Again, as Paul tells us, "...the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23) Yet still, this is not the whole story.
On the third day that Jesus' body had laid in the grave, the first day of the week, Jesus Christ physically, bodily and literally was raised by God from the dead. This action is the final triumph over sin and death, for the fully human and fully divine Christ was victorious over death - something you and I cannot do on our own. Without His resurrection, Christ's atonement for our sins could not be completed. Christ ascended into heaven shortly thereafter, sending His Holy Spirit to guide His people. He promised to return again one day to bring a new heaven and a new earth, where all who profess and believe in Him will dwell with Him forever. Until then, it is the job of all who call upon Christ for salvation to tell the world about God's act of love in Christ.
That leads to the next question: If you died today, where would you go in the afterlife? If you met God face to face today and He asked you why you should get into heaven, what would you say? Many of us would say heaven because we've been good people, or some variation of that. Yet, the apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved - and this the gift of God - not by works, so that no man can boast." It isn't our good deeds and morality that gets us into heaven. Salvation is a gift from God - it is by His grace expressed in the death and resurrection of Christ alone that we are saved. Paul says in Romans 5:8 that, "...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." We are therefore called to accept this free gift by confessing our sins, and committing ourselves to follow Christ Jesus as Lord.
In our modern world, people often say that Christ is not the only way into heaven. While we as humans in no way know who is saved and who is not in the end, Jesus Himself made it clear that He is the only way. In John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.' " In Acts 4:10 -12, the Apostle Peter testifies, " 'It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone." Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.' ” We tell you what God's Word states, for it is through Scripture that God reveals Himself to us.
Acknowledging that it is by Christ alone that salvation is achieved, in Romans 10:9-10 we are told, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Do you want a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you look for eternal life in heaven? Do you want Jesus Christ to be your own Lord and Savior. Here are some ABCD's for how to make this happen. (adapted from "One to One," by Michael Green):
A = Admit
Like everyone else I break and/or ignore God's direction for living, and reject his love and authority (I John 3:4 & James 3:18). This is the root of the confusion, failure, emptiness and lack of purpose that I sometimes experience. I am willing and wanting to change.
B = Believe
What God did for the world in sending Jesus, He did for me personally (John 3:16). I believe Jesus was born into this world, died and was raised from the grave. In dying, Jesus took the weight of my sin upon Himself. (I Peter 3:18)
C = Consider
Count the cost of following Jesus (Luke 14:25-35). Am I willing to make following Jesus my #1 priority?
D = Do!
I am willing to receive the gift of a relationship with God (John 1:12), to open the door of my heart (= my real self) to Him (Revelation 3:20).
If you are ready to do this, it's time to have a chat with God. You can do that through prayer, even right here in front of your computer! Here's an example of a prayer you might make to God giving your heart to Christ:
Almighty God, I admit that I've ignored You and tried to live my own way;
I confess that I can do nothing on my own to save myself from sin.
But I believe that Jesus Christ came into the world and died for my sins.
I want to turn from my sinful life and I ask you to forgive me in His Name.
I trust in Jesus and confess that He is Savior and Lord.
Gracious Lord, let your Spirit come into my life, and change me,
Making me Your's forever.
Amen.
Congratulations! If you have made Christ your Lord and Savior, and you trust in Him, be assured that you are now a part of God's Kingdom. But this is only the beginning. It is now important to seek out other Christians to help you grow. If you are located in our area, please make a trip to visit us at Bethel.
If you are not nearby or cannot make it to our church, we encourage you to seek a church or community of believers in your area. We also ask that you please email us to let us know of your commitment so that we can be in prayer for you and in contact with you.
Blessings to you in the Name of God, Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.