Because of Jesus & the Cross 1 Because of Jesus & the Cross In the cross, we see the love of God (Rom. 5:8) In the cross, we see the love of Jesus (Gal. 2:20) The love of the blood-soaked sacrifice of Jesus (Isa. 53) should compel us (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

To Have a Relationship with Jesus 2 To Have a Relationship with Jesus He is my elder brother and joint heir of the glory of God (Rom. 8:16-17) He is always with me (Matt. 28:20) and never leaves me or fails me (2 Tim. 4:16-17) He understands me (Heb. 2:17-18) and never misunderstands me (Heb. 4:14-16)

3 To Please God God has given me life, welcomed me into His arms and forgiven me (Acts 17:24-28; Luke 15:20-27) Showing gratitude to my loving Father should be my top priority (Heb. 11:5-6; 1 John 2:3-6; Matt. 6:33) More important than what I want is what God wants (John 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:9; 1 John 3:22)

4 To Go to Heaven Only faithful Christians, who are saved from sin, will have eternal life (Rev. 21:27; 2:10; 1 John 5:11-13) Only faithful Christians will be ready for the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:8-12; 2 Tim. 4:7-8) Only faithful Christians will see Jesus and be able to say, “Thank You!” (Rev. 22:4; 5:8-14; John 14:1-6)

To Enjoy God’s Special Providence 5 To Enjoy God’s Special Providence God takes care of His children (Psa. 37:23-25; Matt. 6:19-34; 1 Pet. 5:7; Psa. 23) God supplies the needs of His children (Phil. 4:19; Matt. 7:7-11; 6:8) God protects His children (Psa. 34:7, 15-17; Rom. 8:18, 28, 31-39; Col. 3:3)

To Have Every Sin Removed 6 To Have Every Sin Removed Sin keeps me from God, from Christ and from hope (Eph. 2:12-13; 1 John 2:15-17, 23-24) Christians alone experience total forgiveness and no condemnation (Rom. 8:1; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 8:12) Faithful Christians experience a continual cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7, 9; 5:11-13)

To Benefit from Every Spiritual Blessing 7 To Benefit from Every Spiritual Blessing Christians enjoy God’s immeasurable grace, mercy and forgiveness (1 Tim. 1:12-15; Eph. 2:1-8) Christians enjoy God’s joy, peace, comfort and assurance (Phil. 4:4-7; 2 Cor. 1:3-7) Christians enjoy confidence in prayer—being heard and answered (1 Pet. 3:12; 1 John 5:14- 15)

8 To Have a Church Family Christians are part of the greatest institution in the world, purchased by blood, which will never be destroyed (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Dan. 2:44) Christians have a spiritual family with brothers and sisters in Christ (Rom. 8:14-17; 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27) Christians enjoy unconditional love, encouragement, comfort, support, etc. (Rom. 12:10-16; 1 Cor. 13:4-7)

To Live the Best Earthly Life Possible 9 To Live the Best Earthly Life Possible All true happiness comes from God and from godly living (Jas. 1:17; Matt. 5:3-12; 6:19-34; Phil. 4:4-7) Christians live the “good” life (1 Pet. 3:8-17) and the “abundant” life (John 10:10) Christian living makes life’s decisions easier (1 Thess. 5:21-22; Tit. 2:11-14; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 2:1-12; Jas. 1:21-25)

To Be Ready for Death Without Fear 10 To Be Ready for Death Without Fear Life is short and death is certain (Jas. 4:13-15; Heb. 9:27) Faithful Christians face death with peace, hope and anticipation (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:50-58) Faithful Christians view death as gain, victory and reward in the presence of Christ (Phil. 1:21, 23; 1 Cor. 15:57-58; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Rev. 14:13)

To Help Others Go to Heaven 11 To Help Others Go to Heaven Christians are the ones who have heard, learned and obeyed the good news (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 6:17-18; Acts 2:21-47) Christians have the great privilege of sharing that good news with others through teaching and restoring (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Tim. 2:2; Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20) One of the great joys of heaven will be sharing it with friends and loved ones of like precious faith (2 Pet. 1:1-4; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; 4:17; 2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Cor. 3:14; Rev. 15:2-3)

To Have the Privilege of Worshiping Him 12 To Have the Privilege of Worshiping Him Worship is an opportunity for me to express to the King how wonderful and awesome He is (Psa. 122:1; 95:1-6; 96:1-9; 100:1-5; Matt. 4:10; Rev. 22:9) Worship is an opportunity for me to be reminded what this life is all about (Heb. 10:19-39; Acts 2:40-47) Worship on this earth is a foretaste of heaven, where we will worship at His throne (Rev. 4-5; 15:2-3; Isa. 6:1-3)