SLICE OF HEAVEN

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What is….Life’s Greatest Question?

You may have answered this question, Yes. That is not enough. 

When you stand before God, and God says to you, “Why should I let you into heaven?”, what reason would you give? 
The following facts can give you assurance of eternal life…

FACT #1: 
EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. 
Why? Because We Have Sinned Against God. 
1. SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S LAW, AND EVERYONE HAS BROKEN GOD’S LAW. 
The Bible says… 
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 
Romans 3:23

2. SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD! 
Your sins have separated you from your God and have hidden His face from you…
Isaiah 59:2 

SIN MEANS MISSING THE MARK 
And the person who keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is. James 2:10
God’s standard is perfection (the bull’s eye), and we have ALL missed the mark. (No one is perfect.)

FACT #2 
GOD LOVES SINFUL PEOPLE AND HAS PROVIDED ONE WAY TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. 
God’s way to heaven is not Religion (church membership), Ritual (baptism), or Righteousness (doing your best)…God’s way to heaven is Jesus!

The Bible says…
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name (except Jesus) under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”  John 14:6

THE EQUATION OF SALVATION:
Jesus’ Death + His Resurrection = Full Payment for my sin when Christ died and arose from the grave, He paid the penalty for ALL our sins. This makes it possible for everyone – including you – to receive eternal life. However, Jesus’ death and resurrection will not save you automatically.

EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS A DECISION TO MAKE, A STEP OF FAITH TO TAKE.

FACT #3 
YOU MAY RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE NOW BY FOLLOWING THESE STEPS:

1. Recognize that eternal life is a GIFT: The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
You can only have the gift of eternal life by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. Realize that to receive this gift, you must turn from your sin and ask Jesus into your life, admit your need (you are a sinner)
and be willing to turn from your sin (repent). Repentance is turning away from your sin and turning toward Jesus Christ. Repent and be converted that your sin may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

3. Receive Jesus Christ personally into your life by inviting Him into your heart.

The Bible says…
Behold I (Jesus) stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I Will Come In to him and live with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

THE KEY QUESTION: Is There Any Reason You Could Give God, That God Would Accept, As To Why You Cannot Ask Jesus Christ Into Your Life Right Now?

If You Will Pray This Prayer To Jesus, He Will Come Into Your Life RIGHT NOW. 

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and need to be saved. I admit that I cannot save myself. I accept your death and resurrection as payment for my sin. I repent of my sin. I open the door of my heart and invite you to come in. Thank you Jesus, for hearing my prayer, saving me and giving me eternal life. In your Name I pray. Amen. 

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
If it does, pray it right now! The Lord Jesus will instantly save you, for the Bible says… …if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:9

This verse is a promise from God, and you can count on God to keep His Promises! 

How Can I Be Sure God has Given Me Eternal Life? 

Did I mean what I just said to God in prayer?
Did I confess that I am a sinner and repent of my sin?
Did I call upon the Lord to come into my heart?

If You Can Say “Yes” To These Questions, Then, Based Upon God’s Word, You Can Be Sure That You Have Eternal Life. 

Why? Because God keeps His Word.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me has eternal life. John 6:47

For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God, that you may Know that you Have eternal life… I John 5:13

God Said It! I Did It! That Settles It!
Note: This is not the end of the Christian life, it is only the beginning!

Now That I Have Prayed To Receive Christ, What Does God Expect Of Me? 

1. Make your profession of faith in Jesus Christ public by following Jesus in believer’s baptism by immersion. 

Why be baptized by immersion? 
 

A. Jesus commands it. It is the first step of obedience to Him. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples…and Baptize them.” Matthew 28:19

B. Jesus was baptized to set an example. Jesus was baptized (by John the Baptist) and God was well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
 

If it pleased God when Jesus was baptized, how do you think it will make God feel when you get baptized?
 

C. Baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of God’s Son. Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4

D. It is the first step of a New Christian They that gladly received His Word were baptized… Acts 2:41
Note: Baptism is to be after salvation, not before.

2. Get actively involved in a local New Testament, Bible-believing church. Let us not neglect our church meetings… Hebrews 10:25

3. Read your Bible, beginning with the gospel of John, pray, and share Jesus with others who need Him. 
Sin will keep you from the Bible, or the Bible will keep you from sin!Psalm 119:11

You can e-mail the Pastor, Don Benton at:  dbenton@mail.icongrp.com
You can also e-mail one of our teachers, Brian Benton at:  brian795@juno.com
You can also phone Lowell Southern Baptist Church at:  (219) 696-6222