Are you looking for hope?
Are you looking for hope? We are living in unprecedented times and people, just like you, are looking for hope. You might be looking for an answer to a sickness, a job loss, family struggles or something else. You are not alone and we’re so happy you’ve reached out. We believe ultimate hope is found by following Jesus. That’s right, hope is found when you become a Christian.
Are you a Christian? Has anyone ever asked you that? If you’re like most people, when you are asked to share something about yourself, you share something about where you live, where you’re from, what types of food you like, or one of many other things that are true about you. When it comes to matters of faith, people might identify with a belief system, or as is ever increasingly true, people identify with nothing at all. However, Christians identify with Jesus and the gospel message. What is the gospel message? It is the story of the Bible and God’s plan to redeem sinful man through His Son Jesus Christ! It is the ultimate story of hope!
You've probably heard the word 'gospel.' Did you know that it literally means ‘good news.’ People usually associate ‘gospel’ with the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Why is this? These books focus on the person and works of Jesus Christ, and while we believe the entire Bible to be true, it is clear that Jesus is the focal point. In other words, the Bible points to Jesus and the hope that God brings to people because of Jesus.
Why does the ‘good news’ of Jesus bring hope. Let’s let the Bible speak for itself, and if you have any questions, please contact us. We’d love to talk to you about finding hope in Jesus.
The Apostle Paul summarized the gospel this way in First Corinthians 15:1-4:
Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,
that He was buried,
that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures...
This is the message of the Church, and this is message that is central to all of Christianity. Many people have heard it, and many people haven't. However, you must believe it in order to become a Christian. This is where we come in, we'd love to help you understand the gospel and how it can apply to your life.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask!
Applying the gospel to your own life...
Understand that you are not here by accident.
You're not looking at this page by accident, nor are on on this earth by accident. God created the world and that includes you. He had a plan for all of humanity, and He has a plan for you. The reality is that God wants you to understand this plan and begin to live life the way that He, the creator of the the heavens and the earth, intended. We try to do things our own way and that just doesn't work. But if we strive to understand His plan, then we begin to understand that the Bible tells us that His plan includes the reality that He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. Why don't we understand God's plan? Why do we follow our own plan instead of His? That's the problem...
The problem is sin.
The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.
People tend to divide themselves into groups - good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don't seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there's nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment - the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.
The answer is Jesus.
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5
The joy of grace.
It's God's grace that allows you to come to Him - not your efforts to "clean up your life" or work your way to Heaven. You can't earn it. It's a free gift.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."Ephesians 2:8-9
For you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God's gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you when He died on the Cross.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God's offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is "repentance" - to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God's.
All that's left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.
Will you strive to follow Jesus with your whole life for the rest of your life?
"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." Romans 10:9-10
God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.
"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
Let God know the desire of your heart.
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let's review what this commitment involves:
I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior - this is to repent or turn away from sin.
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead - this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins.I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God - this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus.I receive Jesus as my Savior forever - this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised.
If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:
Here's a Suggested Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life."
If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know. We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually.
If you have questions or concerns you would like help with, please call or write and let us know. We're here to help you understand the love that Jesus is offering you for free, no matter who or where you are. E-mail us or call 440-845-1133.