Introduction: How to Be Saved.
If you died today are you 100% certain you would go to Heaven?
If not, then the first thing you need to know is what will keep you out of Heaven.
If not, then the first thing you need to know is what will keep you out of Heaven.
Step 1: What Might Keep Me From Going to Heaven?
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that ALL HAVE SINNED." -- Romans 5:12
ALL DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD IS SIN.
ALL DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD IS SIN.
Step 2: All Have Broken God's Law.
A. Every person inherited from Adam a natural tendency to sin. That nature is condemned by God.
"Forever who shall keep the whole law, yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." -- James 2:10
B. All have sinned.
1. Have you ever told a lie?
2. Have you ever lost your temper?
3. Have you ever done anything wrong?
...and so have I.
Since God's word says "All have sinned," I must admit that I am a sinner.
If you are honest about what the Bible says about you, you must admit that you are what?
"Forever who shall keep the whole law, yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." -- James 2:10
B. All have sinned.
1. Have you ever told a lie?
2. Have you ever lost your temper?
3. Have you ever done anything wrong?
...and so have I.
Since God's word says "All have sinned," I must admit that I am a sinner.
If you are honest about what the Bible says about you, you must admit that you are what?
Step 3: Is There a Penalty for Sin?
C. There is a penalty on sin... DEATH.
This is not only a physical death, but also a spiritual death, for even those who go to Heaven die physically.
"And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to die..." -- Hebrews 9:27
This is not only a physical death, but also a spiritual death, for even those who go to Heaven die physically.
"And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to die..." -- Hebrews 9:27
Step 4: What Is the Second Death?
The final penalty on sin is the second death.
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the SECOND DEATH." Revelation 21:8
If I were to die in my sin without Christ as my Lord and Savior to forgive that sin, where would I go?
TO HELL!
If you die in your sin without Christ, where will you have to go?
TO HELL!
I don't want to go to Hell, do you?
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the SECOND DEATH." Revelation 21:8
If I were to die in my sin without Christ as my Lord and Savior to forgive that sin, where would I go?
TO HELL!
If you die in your sin without Christ, where will you have to go?
TO HELL!
I don't want to go to Hell, do you?
Step 5: ...anything Else?
The Bible tells us that there is something else awful about dying in our sin.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." -- Revelations 20:12
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." -- Revelations 20:12
Step 6: ...what About My Works and Deeds?
"For God shall bring EVERY WORK into judgment, with EVERY SECRET THING, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:14
A. Someday God will open a book with your name on it, and
B. YOUR sin will be exposed.
1. Every evil thought.
2. Every evil word.
3. Every evil deed.
C. It will be as vivid as a full-color movie for your family and friends to view.
It would be awful to face other people with my sin, but how much more awful will it be to face a holy God?
A. Someday God will open a book with your name on it, and
B. YOUR sin will be exposed.
1. Every evil thought.
2. Every evil word.
3. Every evil deed.
C. It will be as vivid as a full-color movie for your family and friends to view.
It would be awful to face other people with my sin, but how much more awful will it be to face a holy God?
Step 7: ...and Then an Accounting?
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." -- Romans 14:12
Sin is an attack on God and puts us at enmity with Him.
"Ye adulterers an adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." -- James 4:4
I'd be His ENEMY.
If you die in your present state, you won't be able to face Him and His son or friend either, would you? No! You would be His ENEMY!
You don't want to be the enemy of God, do you?
Sin is an attack on God and puts us at enmity with Him.
"Ye adulterers an adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." -- James 4:4
I'd be His ENEMY.
If you die in your present state, you won't be able to face Him and His son or friend either, would you? No! You would be His ENEMY!
You don't want to be the enemy of God, do you?
Step 8: Okay, Here Is the Payoff, the Good News...
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
God's Son has already paid the debt we owe, which is DEATH, for our sins.
Do you believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again?
God's Son has already paid the debt we owe, which is DEATH, for our sins.
Do you believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again?
Step 9: Is Just Believing, All I Need to Do?
God wants you to go a step further than simply believing.
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name." -- John 1:12
Believing in marriage does not automatically make one married, nor does believing in God and the Bible automatically make one saved.
Just as marriage partners must willfully receive one another at a definite time and place, we must receive Jesus Christ at a definite time and place.
Salvation is a simple transaction.
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name." -- John 1:12
Believing in marriage does not automatically make one married, nor does believing in God and the Bible automatically make one saved.
Just as marriage partners must willfully receive one another at a definite time and place, we must receive Jesus Christ at a definite time and place.
Salvation is a simple transaction.
Step 10: ...you Mean That If I Beleive I Can Still Be Refused?
Not as many as joined the Church.
Not as many as were baptized.
Not as many as lived a good life.
But as many as RECEIVED HIM.
These other things are important AFTER we receive Christ, but have nothing to do with being saved or salvation itself.
Receiving Christ, however, is as simple a task as receiving a Christmas gift from God.
Not as many as were baptized.
Not as many as lived a good life.
But as many as RECEIVED HIM.
These other things are important AFTER we receive Christ, but have nothing to do with being saved or salvation itself.
Receiving Christ, however, is as simple a task as receiving a Christmas gift from God.
Step 11: ...a Christmas Gift From God?
Yes, a Christmas gift from God! Just as most gifts come packaged God's gift of eternal life to us is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -- Romans 6:23
If I offered you a gift, it would not become yours until you did what?
Until you received it.
If God offers you Jesus Christ, He will not be yours until you do what?
Until you receive Him.
"...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -- Romans 6:23
If I offered you a gift, it would not become yours until you did what?
Until you received it.
If God offers you Jesus Christ, He will not be yours until you do what?
Until you receive Him.
Step 12: ...so How Do I Receive Christ?
The Bible tells us how to receive Christ as our Lord and Savior.
"Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." -- Revelation 3:20
If I knocked at your door and you did not invite me in, I would not force my way in.
Jesus only comes into our hearts by invitation.
"Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." -- Revelation 3:20
If I knocked at your door and you did not invite me in, I would not force my way in.
Jesus only comes into our hearts by invitation.
Step 13: ...and What Next?
A. Jesus is now knocking at the door of YOUR heart, ready to pay the debt of YOUR sin.
B. He has promised that if anyone would invite Hin into his heart,... "I will come in." You do believe in God's promise, don't you?
C. His promise hinges on your willingness to open your heart and RECEIVE HIM.
Are you willing to claim God's promise for your very own and invite Jesus Christ into your heart, as your Lord and Savior?
If so please join me in this prayer...
Lord Jesus.
I know I am a sinner and I deserve to go to Hell, but I beleive that you died to take away my sin. Please come into my heart and save me. I am trusting you to take me to Heaven when I die, and help me to live my life for you. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me.
In Your name,
Amen
B. He has promised that if anyone would invite Hin into his heart,... "I will come in." You do believe in God's promise, don't you?
C. His promise hinges on your willingness to open your heart and RECEIVE HIM.
Are you willing to claim God's promise for your very own and invite Jesus Christ into your heart, as your Lord and Savior?
If so please join me in this prayer...
Lord Jesus.
I know I am a sinner and I deserve to go to Hell, but I beleive that you died to take away my sin. Please come into my heart and save me. I am trusting you to take me to Heaven when I die, and help me to live my life for you. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me.
In Your name,
Amen