Eleventh Street Baptist Church EXALTING GOD… Extending God’s Love Evangelizing the Lost Edifying the Body Equipping the Saints TO SERVE THE LORD!

ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE CHURCH The ABC’s of Eleventh Street Baptist Church

SALVATION ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE CHURCH The ABC’s of Eleventh Street Baptist Church SALVATION

The first and most important requirement for baptism and church membership is salvation.

QUESTION #1 Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die? □ Yes □ No □ Not sure God wants us to be sure. I write these things to you…so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 NASB  

Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, QUESTION #2 Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What do you think you would say?

God loves you and has a purpose for your life.   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 NIV

GOD’S PURPOSE: ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life means: 1. We can live a full and meaningful life right now. Jesus: The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10 NASB

Eternal Life means: 2. We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. Jesus: There are many homes up there where my father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. John 14:2-3 LB

3. We receive eternal life as a free gift.   Sin pays off with death. But God’s GIFT is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 CEV

OUR PROBLEM: SIN

1. All are sinners, by nature and by choice.   Yes, ALL have sinned; ALL fall short of God’s glorious ideal. Romans 3:23 LB

2. We cannot save ourselves 2. We cannot save ourselves. For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 TEV

SIN ? HOLY GOD SINFUL PEOPLE

3. We deserve death and hell 3. We deserve death and hell. For the wages of sin is DEATH… Romans 6:23 NASB

GOD’S PROVISION: JESUS CHRIST

1. Jesus is God in the flesh.   Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us… John 1:1-2,14 LB

2. Jesus died for us on the cross.   For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ DIED for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that He was RAISED on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time… 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NIV

2. Jesus died for us on the cross.   For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ DIED for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that He was RAISED on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time… 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NIV 3. Jesus was raised from the dead.

It is not enough to just know these things It is not enough to just know these things. God calls us to personally respond to them.   Yet to all who RECEIVED Him [Christ] to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NASB

OUR RESPONSE: TO RECEIVE JESUS

1. We must repent of our sin. To receive Jesus: 1. We must repent of our sin.   Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to Him so He can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 LB

YOUR WAY GOD’S WAY

2. We must place our faith in Jesus. To receive Jesus: 2. We must place our faith in Jesus.   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 NIV

3. We must surrender to Jesus as Lord. To receive Jesus: 3. We must surrender to Jesus as Lord.   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. Romans 10:9 NIV

SELF SELF SURRENDER TO JESUS AS LORD SELF

Three Important Questions:   Does what we have been speaking about make sense to you? Is there any reason you would not be willing to receive God’s gift of eternal life? Are you willing now to turn from your sins, fully place your faith in Jesus, and surrender your life to Him as Lord?

Prayer: Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross, and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

God’s promise: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV