"Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Gospel I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it – unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me – that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles. After that, he was seen by more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, I saw him, too... "

- Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-8 NLT)

Step 1: Gods Purpose - Peace and Eternal Life

God loves you and wants you to live in peace with Him and to receive eternal life.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, -Romans 5:1

"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

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 6:23

Since God planned for us to be at peace with Him and to have eternal life, why are many people not enjoying this experience?

Step 2: Our Problem - Sin and Separation

God did not make us robots to mindlessly love and obey Him. Instead He gave us a will and freedom of choice. But like Adam, we often choose to disobey God by going our own selfish ways (read Gen chapters. 2-3). This side of our nature is called sin, and it separates us from God

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -Romans 3:23

So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. -Genesis 3:23

But your iniquities have separated
       you from your God;
       your sins have hidden his face from you,
       so that he will not hear. -Isaiah 59:2

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"-Romans 3:10.

Our Sin Separates Us From God !

Step 3: The Remedy - The Cross

Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem of separation from God. He died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day to pay the penalty for our sin - completely bridging the gap between us and God

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." -Acts 4:12

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, -1 Timothy 2:5

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. -John 5:24

God has provided us the only way and we must make the choice...

Step 4: Our Response - Receive Christ

We can receive Jesus Christ when we believe in His message and trust in Him to save us.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. -John 14:1

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." -Acts 10:43

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husbands will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" -Romans 10:13

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. -1 John 5:12-13

That 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

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, -Romans 5:1

How To Receive Christ...

1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner)

2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Savior)

What to Pray...

Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner. Please forgive me of all my sins. Thank you for loving me enough to die for my sins. I have heard your word and believe that you will save me. I give my life over to you. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. I will turn from my sin and make you my Lord. Help me to hear and understand your Word. Make me the person you want me to be. Thank You Lord God.

Amen.

Now What?

If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, do you know what He has given you? When you receive Christ, you are born into Gods family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer ... this is called regeneration or "new birth". God bless you as you begin your wonderful new life in Christ.

WHAT NEXT?