Question:
In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to
heaven?
We would like to share with you how the Bible answers this question. There is a word that can be used to answer this question, that word
is FAITH (spell it out on your fingers).
F
is for Forgiveness:
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. The Bible
tells us: "In Him (meaning Jesus) we have the redemption through His blood
the forgiveness of sins." That takes us to A.
A
is for Available:
What's available? Forgiveness is available and it is available for all. In
the Bible, John 3:16 says: "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". However, it is not automatic. Jesus said: "Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven".
That takes us to I.
I
is for Impossible:
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. Why? God is LOVE, just as
we read in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world", but God is also
JUST. The Bible tells us, "For judgment is without mercy". Judgment on
what? Judgment on sin. The Bible also says, "For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God". When I think of ALL, I think of myself, my
wife, my pastor, my parents, everybody that I know. So how can a sinful person
enter heaven, where God allows no sin? That takes us to T.
T
is for Turn:
If you were driving down the road and your spouse asked you to turn, what
would they be asking you to do? That's right, change direction. In the Bible
turn, means repent. When you turn, you turn from something, which is sin and
self. The Bible says, "But unless you repent you will all likewise
perish".
Now if you turn from sin and self you turn to Trust Christ only. The Bible
tells us that, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and
that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the
Scriptures." The Bible also says, "If you confess with your mouth the
Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will
be saved". That takes us to H.
H
is for Heaven:
Heaven is eternal life. It is here, right now, and it is hereafter. Jesus
said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly", which He was talking about now. Jesus also said, "And if
I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also".
So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and
Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? I want to show you a picture and what I
thought about the first time I saw this picture. Now the word Faith can also
stand for: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
Inquiry:
Understanding what we have shared, would you like to receive this forgiveness
by trusting in Christ as your personal Savior and Lord?
Invitation:
- Pray to accept Christ.
"Dear God, I know that Jesus is
Your Son and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead.
Because I have sinned and need forgiveness, I ask Jesus to come into my heart.
I am willing to change the direction of my life by acknowledging Jesus as my
Lord and Savior, and by tuning away from my sins. Thank You for giving me
forgiveness, eternal life, and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen."
- Pray for commitment/recommitment.
- We invite you to join us in Sunday School.
- We also invite you to make your
decision public.
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