Begin Again

Begin…Again!  How can I begin a relationship with God?

1. God loves you and has an incredible plan for your life.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"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

 

So, why is it that most people are not experiencing God's plan for their life? 
 
2. Man's sin has separated him from God
 
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

 

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:23

Each of us is born with a sin nature. Sin is doing what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do. Our sin separates us from God, because He is holy and cannot allow anything impure in His presence. There is only one way to bridge the gap between man who is sinful, and God who is holy.

3.  Our good works will not bring us into a proper relationship with God

Man is continually trying to reach God through his own efforts—by doing good things, making his own sacrifices, trying different religions—but he will always fail.  Scripture teaches that there is no plan we can make for ourselves to gain salvation because it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not of works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.

4. Jesus Christ, is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.

"God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

God’s heart is to have fellowship with man (his creation), so he made the ultimate sacrifice by sending his son Jesus to the earth 2000 years ago. Jesus lived a life free of sin and then was crucified on a cross to redeem us from our sin. He rose again three days later to show that He has power over all things, including death. Because of what Jesus did for us, we have the opportunity to have a new life—a life of fellowship with God while we live on the earth, and eternal fellowship with God in heaven when we die. Because of Christ, we can know God personally; we can experience his love, joy and peace and know his purpose for our lives.

5. We must individually decide to commit to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

"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." Romans 10:9-10

"Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." Revelations 3:20

6. Prayer of Salvation

This is the most powerful moment in your life. If you understand God’s Plan of Salvation you can be saved this very moment.  Believing the Word of God, pray this simple prayer:

Your Prayer of Salvation

"Lord Jesus, I believe the message I have heard today. I recognize that you are the Son of God. I believe that you came to earth and sacrificed your life so that I can be forgiven of my sins. I believe that you rose from the dead and that you have power over all things, including death. I acknowledge that through you alone I can find forgiveness and a restored relationship with God. I choose today to turn away from my sin nature and to pursue things that are pleasing to you. I am asking you to cleanse me and forgive me of my sins, and I am exchanging my old sin nature for a new life in you. I will live differently from now on. I will go after you with my whole heart. I realize that you gave everything for me, and I want to give all of me to you. I will serve you wholeheartedly from this day forward, and I commit to follow you for the rest of my life."

7. If you have said this prayer of salvation, we congratulate you for making a life changing decision!  We encourage you to grow in your relationship with Jesus by:

1 Reading your Bible (to know the promises of God, to know who God says we are, and because it's the blueprint for life!)
2 Praying (talking with God)
3 Joining us for worship service and bible study at Emmanuel Fellowship!
4 Telling others what Jesus has done in you heart (fulfilling the Great Commission - Mark 16:15)

If you have prayed this prayer, please let us know so that we can welcome you into the Body of Christ!  We are excited about the plan God has for your life.  Please fill out the New Believer Form and allow us to help you develop an Exceptional Faith for a life of Extraordinary Freedom!