How To Know God
Starting a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the most important decision that anyone will ever make. We were all created by God to know God and have an ever growing relationship with Him. Today, God has made this possible through His Son Jesus Christ. God is reaching out to you!
A lot of people are searching for purpose and meaning to their life not to mention the answer to the big question "what is the meaning of life?" We believe that all of those questions find their meaning in God because He is the author of life and declares, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 29:11
If you have never come to a knowledge of truth and an abiding relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ His Son, today is the day to make that happen. Below is what you need to know to start your relationship today. If you would like to speak with someone about following Jesus Christ please feel free to call during business hours.
Part 1: God's Plan for Life on Earth
The Bible tells us God's intended plan for humanity on earth. in the beginning God created man kind. He created them male and female and created them in His image and likeness.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. Genesis 1:27-30
God created mankind to have dominion over His creation to steward it like He would, to live in peace and love and to do this through relationship with God.
Part 2: The Plan Got Derailed
The first man Adam sinned against God. He disobeyed God's only do not do, and lost connection with God. Adam's mate Eve was deceived by God's enemy (Satan) and Adam willfully disobeyed and listened to Eve instead of God and sinned. Man took on the nature of God's enemy and his nature was changed.
"So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."" Genesis 3:10-13
Because Adam and Eve were the first parents of the world, this sin nature spread to every person born after them.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come." Romans 5:12-14
Part 3: God's Plan to Redeem Us
We all were much too precious to God to leave us without a way back into relationship with Him. God had an awesome and humbling plan to redeem us from the beginning.
"And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."" Genesis 3:15
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."" Matthew 1:21
Jesus the Son of God and the Son of man came as God's final answer for redeeming us back to the relationship we lost in the beginning as well as the nature we lost from the beginning. It is through Jesus sacrifice alone that we can find forgiveness and removal of our sins, we can follow His example of love for God and others and be an example for others through our new life in Jesus Christ. Jesus took the penalty for our sin upon Himself so that we can go free. He died in our place and raised from the dead so that we have victory over death and victory in life. He is our healer, our peace, our strength, our wisdom and our friend in this life and forever.
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."
Romans 5:19
"who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
"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 6:4
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:8-10
Part 4: Our Response
God made His move on our behalf to give us forgiveness of sins and a new life through Jesus. Next is our move. Jesus made it clear as to what we must do to inherit salvation (freedom from sin, everlasting life, healing and deliverance).
1st We believe that God is and He is Who He says He is.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
"God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" Numbers 23:19
"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:31-33
2nd We Acknowledge God's plan for salvation.
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."" Acts 4:12
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11
"AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.'" Acts 2:21
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" Ephesians 1:7
3rd We Accept God's Plan
"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."" Romans 10:9-11
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16
"and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."" Mark 1:15
"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38
4th We Follow Jesus Example
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
""And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25
"He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."
Matthew 28:18-20
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."" Mark 16:17-18
Summary:
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Believe in your heart that God is real, Jesus is the Son of God, our salvation and only way to Relationship with the Father God
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Repent of your sins toward God and others
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Receive the forgiveness of your sins
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Forgive others their sins against you
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Be baptized in water into Christ Jesus
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Receive the Holy Spirit
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Follow Jesus' example everyday