WANT TO KNOW JESUS?

You may have asked yourself, “Is God for real?” Or “Does God really care?” Or “Can God really love me?”

I have good news for you!

God has a story that includes you!

God’s Story
The infinite God who created the heavens and the earth created you! (Genesis 1:1)

“In the beginning . . .
God created man and then woman. They were placed in a perfect environment, with all their needs taken care of. They were given only one prohibition; they were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, lest they die (Genesis 2:17).

Unfortunately, they did eat from the tree (Genesis 3), and the relationship between God and mankind was broken. However, God promised that He would send a Savior, or Messiah, who would deliver all people from the bondage of sin (Genesis 3:15). The Old Testament kept repeating the theme that some day this person would come into the world and set mankind free.

God’s Word did indeed came true. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 29). Jesus died in our place so that we could enjoy again a right relationship with God. Jesus has paved the way! God has done it all, and our responsibility is to accept this truth. We can do nothing to add to the work of Jesus; it has been done for us. If mankind could have reached God any other way, Jesus would not have had to die. His death verifies the fact that there is no other way.” (Adapted from A Ready Defense by Josh McDowell) Did you know . . .

1. God loves you and wants a personal relationship.

For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)

God wants you to know Him personally.

And this is the way to have eternal life - by knowing You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth. (John 17:3)

God created you and is excited about you!

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. (Psalm 139:13-14)

2. Your sin keeps you from having a personal relationship with God.

“Yes, they all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal . . .” (Romans 3:23)

What is sin?

Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. (James 4:17) You see, God is holy and perfect and we are not. When we do not meet God’s perfect standard, we sin. Our sin has caused a separation of relationship with God.

Who has sinned?

Yes, they all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal . . . (Romans 3:23). Everyone has sinned! No one is excluded.

What happens when we sin?

But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God (Isaiah 59:2). Death means eternal separation from God.

3. Jesus Christ died and rose again so that your sins could be forgiven.

He died once for the sins of all of us guilty sinners, although He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that He might bring us safely home to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

Jesus Christ:

. . . died to pay the penalty of sin.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

. . . rose again, which proves He can forgive you.

Christ died for all our sins just as the Scriptures said He would . . . He was buried . . . three days afterwards He arose from the grave just as the prophets foretold . . . He was seen by more that five hundred Christian brothers at one time . . . (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

. . . bridges the gap between God and you.

That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving His life for all mankind (1Timothy 2:5.

. . . is the only way to a relationship with God.

I am the Way - yes, and the truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me (John14:6).

4. You must personally trust Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord.

To all who receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them. (John 1:12)

Trusting Christ means:

. . . you turn to God from your own way of living.

Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins . . . (Acts 3:19).

. . . you receive God’s gift of salvation.

Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it to is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In other words, receiving Jesus means to:

• REPENT - invite Christ to come into your life
• TRUST - trust Him to forgive your sin.
• SURRENDER - allow God to direct your life.

Are you ready for a personal relationship with God? If so, where would you place yourself in this illustration?

• I don’t have a personal relationship with God.
• I would like a personal relationship with God.
• I have a personal relationship with God.

You can begin your personal relationship with God by receiving Jesus Christ by faith. You can express your faith (trust) through prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. He knows what you mean even when it is difficult to express yourself. You may use the following words or your own:

Dear God,

I know that my sin has separated me from You. Thank You that Jesus Christ died in my place. I ask Jesus to forgive my sin and to come into my life. Thank You for giving me eternal life. Now take control of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

5. Your trust in Jesus Christ begins a lifelong relationship.

God commits Himself to you . . .

• God will never leave you.
  “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
• God completely forgives you.
  “For He forgave all your sins, and blotted out the charges against you.” (Colossians 2:13-14)
• God assures you that you will go to heaven.
  “I have written this to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
• God gives you the Holy Spirit to enable you to live the Christian life.
  “Let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:25)

You commit yourself to God . . .

• You continue to live in Him.
  “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him.” (Colossians 2:6)
• You continue to grow in your relationship with God.
  “Let your roots grow down deep into Him and draw nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.” (Colossians 2:7)
  
  Go to God daily in prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7)
  Read the Bible every day. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
  Obey God moment by moment. (Luke 6:46-48)
  Worship in a church regularly. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
  Tell others about Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
  Let the Holy Spirit direct your life. (John 14:26)

Now you can share Jesus Christ with others. “It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others” (Ephesians 2:10).