Step 1: God has a plan for you. “He loves you and wants you to experience his peace and his life which is both abundant and eternal.”

Supporting Bible verses: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1. “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” John 3:16. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

Step 2a: We have a problem; We are separated from God by our sins. We all chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We are all under God’s penalty for our sins.

Supporting Bible verses: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (your prayers).” Isaiah 59:2. “All we like sheep  have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6 “The wages of sin is death (eternal punishment).” Romans 6:23. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12.

Step 2b: Our attempts to bridge the gap between ourselves and God will fail. Good works and religion are not enough to satisfy the justice and righteousness of a holy God.

Supporting Bible verse: “For by grace are you saved by faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of (good) works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

Step 3: “God sent his son to bridge the gap. Christ did this by paying for our sins when he died on the cross and rose from the grave.”

Supporting Bible verses: “For there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 2:5. A mediator is a person who acts as an intermediary to bring two parties together. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. “For Christ has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” I Peter 3:18.

Step 4: God invites us to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We must respond in order to cross the bridge into God’s family.

Supporting Bible verses: “Behold I (Christ) stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine (fellowship) with him and he with me.” Revelation3:20. “As many as received him (Christ) to them he gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe on his name.”  John1:12.

Step 5: Pray to Receive Christ.

How to receive Christ:

 1) Admit your need – Tell God you are a sinner.

 2) Repent of your sins – Turn away from every know sin.

 3) Believe Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the dead.

4) Invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life.

Prayer of commitment:

“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I repent of my sins. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and life, forgive my sins, and help me to follow you. Thank you for saving me. In your name, Amen.

 

Questions to Consider

“Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you died today you would go to heaven?”

Your answer:  ______________________________________________   .

“Suppose you were to die today in an accident, and stand before God, and he were to say to you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ What would you say?”

(Before reading further, think about this and try to come up with an answer.)

Your answer: ____________________________________________________________________________  .

Many people think that if we do the best we can, live by the 10 Commandments and the   Golden Rule we will go to heaven. Is your answer something like this, or perhaps you are not sure.

The Good News

In any case, I have some very good news for you. In fact, I believe it is the best news you have ever heard in your entire life! For much of my life I believed, as many do, that the way to get to heaven is to try to live a good life. And then I discovered that God offers eternal life as a free gift. Isn’t that wonderful! The Bible says: “the gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23b. And it says: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of (good) works lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9. This means God’s forgiveness is neither earned or deserved. It’s a gift from a gracious God who loves us and has made salvation available to those who will receive it. May I share with you how I found eternal life and how you may know it too?

What the Bible Says About Man

The need for God’s gift becomes even clearer when we see what the Bible says about mankind. It says: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.  We may define sin as a serious infractions of God’s law such as murder, rape, or robbery, and most of us have never done any of these. However the Bible tell us that sin is anything that doesn’t please God. It can be a thought, a spoken word, or an act. Sins of the heart such as pride, envy, jealously, hate, greed also count. Saying unkind words, lying, cursing, and destructive speech are all sins. And there are sins of omission when we fail to do the good we know we ought to do. We all sin every day and God knows all about our sins.

And what is God’s standard for going to heaven? Jesus tells us: “Be you therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven.” Matthews 5:48. The standard is moral perfection! You may think then that no one can get to heaven. It may seem that way, but God has made a way. What we want to emphasize here is that none of us can get to heaven by our good works, as important as they are, because we also have sins in our lives which need to be forgiven. Sometimes we think that we are alright with God when we are not. The Scripture warns us: “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end (of that way) is death.” Proverbs 14:12.

What the Bible Says About God

The need for God’s gift “comes into even sharper focus when we look at what the Bible says about God.” “One of the most amazing facts to learn about God is that he loves us in spite of” our sins. The Bible says: “God is love.” I John 4:8. Love is an unchanging part of his nature, therefore he doesn’t want to punish us. But the same Bible that tells us that God is loving, also tells us that he is just and righteous and must punish sin. It says: “I am holy and just and righteous. I am of purer eyes than to behold evil.” “The soul that sins, it shall die.” “He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Habakkuk 1:13; Ezekiel18:4; Exodus 34:7.

While God’s love means he doesn’t want to punish us, his justice demands that he punish all sins. Just as a human judge must sentence guilty lawbreakers, so must God punish all sins in order to be just. Since his eternal nature includes both love and justice, he cannot deny himself and act only on the basis of love. He must exercise his justice as well. How does God resolve this dilemma? He does so in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Who is Jesus Christ?

I am interested in your opinion about Jesus Christ. Who do you think he is? Some people say he was the best man that ever lived, a wonderful teacher, one who worked healing miracles. All this is true, but there is more. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was and is God, the Creator of the universe, Almighty God himself. This comes as a surprise to some people. They don’t realize that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is God the Son, who humbled himself and came to live as a man among us. John 1:1-3 says: “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…all things were made by him…” John 1:14 says: “And the Word was made flesh (a man) and lived among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the one and only Son (of God), who came from the Father…” Jesus himself said: “I and my Father are one (Deity)” and “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” John 10:30;14:9. After Jesus’ resurrection, one of his disciples, Thomas, was so amazed at his victory over death that he cried out “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28. Jesus accepted this declaration as true.

What Has Jesus Christ Done For Us?

God the Son left his home in heaven and was born as a baby. He lived a morally perfect life. He taught as no man ever taught and did miracles which verified who he was. At the end of his life, he died on the cross and rose from the dead. Why did he do this? He died and rose to purchase a place in heaven for us which he offers as a gift. The Bible says: “He himself (Jesus Christ) bore our sins in his body on the tree (cross),” and “Christ has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” I Peter 2:24;3:18. It also says: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” On the cross, our sins were placed on Jesus Christ. He died in our place; He took God’s wrath against our sins on himself so we would not have to be punished for our sins. And he rose from the dead. His resurrection is a historical fact and it means that all he said is true and he can offer us  eternal life.

The Key to Eternal Life

Who receives this gift? Everybody? No. Jesus said that few find the way to eternal life, and many go the way that leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13,14. So then, how can we obtain this gift? The Bible teaches that we receive the gift of eternal life by faith. Faith is the key that opens the door to heaven. There is only one key that opens the door to your house. Similarly, There is only one key that will open the door to heaven. That key is called faith or saving faith.

Saving Faith – What it is Not

Let me tell you what saving faith is not.  Many people mistake at leasdt three things for saving faith.; First, it is not  mere intellectual assent to certain historical facts. Some people believe in Jesus Christ the same way they believe in George Washington or Napoleon. They believe the person actually lived but they are not trusting him to do anything for them now. Second, saving faith is not general faith that good things will happen or faith in one’s self. Saving faith must be in Jesus Christ, not in myself or in hoped for positive outcomes. Jesus Christ alone has the authority to forgive sins and grant eternal life. Third, saving faith is not prayer to God when important life issues arise, such as sickness, financial problems, personal decisions, the need for protection, or travel safety. We should pray about all of these things, but these things are about this life, they are about temporary concerns. Saving faith is the key to heaven, and this is an eternal concern.

Saving Faith – What it is

So what is saving faith? For years I was trusting God for many things, but to be honest about it, I wasn’t trusting in Him for my eternal salvation. I tried to keep the 10 Commandments and the Golden Rule, so I was trusting in my own efforts to be good enough to get to heaven. Do you remember the questions we asked you at the beginning?  Are you certain you will go to heaven? And, when God asks you “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What would you say? Well, what was your answer? Was it something like mine, that you try to live a life that’s good enough to enter heaven?

The Bible says to “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” Acts 16:31. And it says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. So, saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. It means resting upon Christ alone and what he has done rather than upon what I have done to get me into heaven.

Chair Illustration of Saving Faith

Picture in your mind two chairs in your home. You are sitting in one and the other is vacant. The chair you are sitting is represents you; the vacant chair represents Jesus Christ. Do you believe the vacant chair exists? Of course. Do you believe it will support you if you sit on it? Yes, I think you do. But it’s not supporting you for a very simple reason; you’re not sitting on it. This is a picture of what it’s like with Jesus Christ. For years, I believed Jesus Christ existed and could help me, but I did not have eternal life because I was trusting in my own good works to get me into heaven. Remember your answer about why God should allow you into heaven? Trying to live a good life. So who have you been trusting to get to heaven? Yourself. To receive eternal life you must transfer your trust from yourself to Jesus Christ alone. In your imagination, move from the chair that represents you and move over to the chair that represents Jesus Christ. Place the weight of your trust in Him. Place all your confidence in Him alone for eternal life.

Do You Understand?

Does this make sense to you? Do you understand that we are all sinners in the eyes of God and cannot save ourselves? Do you understand that God always punishes sin because he is just? Is it clear that God loves you so much that he has made a way to forgive you by letting his Son, Jesus Christ, pay the penalty for your sins when he died on the cross?  Do you understand that the key to eternal life is Saving Faith and that you must trust in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness? If so, I want to tell you that God is also asking  you another question. Here it is.

Do You Want to Receive the Gift of Eternal Life?

I hope you do. If so, please remember this means (1) transferring your trust for eternal life from yourself to Jesus Christ because of what he has done for you. It also means  (2) receiving the person of Jesus Christ into your life. John 1:11,12 says: “As many as received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God.” We do this by opening the door to our life and inviting him in. Revelation 3:20 says: “Behold I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine (fellowship) with him and he with me.” Additionally, it means (3) we not only receive him as Savior who forgives our sins, but also as the Lord of our lives. We must therefore repent of our sins and make a commitment to follow him by living our lives according to the teaching of the Bible,  God’s Word.

How to Commit Your Life to Jesus Christ

Friend, are you ready to repent of your sins, receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and commit your life to him to follow him? Let me assure you, wherever you are, in whatever  circumstances you find yourself, and no matter how you have lived your life, Jesus Christ is present with you right now. He is there and you can talk to him about your desire to receive him into your life. He promises: “You shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. If this is truly what you want, let me suggest you say this prayer out loud:

“Lord Jesus, I want you to come in and take over my life right now. I am a sinner, I have been trusting in myself and in my own good works, but now I place my  trust in you. I accept you as my own personal Savior.  I believe you died for me. I receive you as Lord and Master of my life. Help me to turn from my sins and to follow you. I accept the free gift of eternal life. I thank you for your love and for answering this prayer. In your name, Amen.”

The Assurance of Salvation

You have just prayed the most important prayer that you have ever prayed in your life. Now I want you to see what Jesus Christ says about what you have done. In John 6:47 Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, he that believes on me has everlasting life.” (Read this aloud to yourself.) What you have done is you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation. Is that correct? In whom are you now trusting for your salvation? I hope you can say: “In Jesus Christ.”

Jesus says that the person who does that has everlasting life. Do you believe him? I hope you do. If you should die tonight, where would you wake up?  If you have trusted Jesus Christ, the answer is “In heaven.” And if God asked you why you should be in heaven, you can say, “Because I am trusting in Jesus Christ.” Friend, if you truly meant the above prayer in your heart, and God knows your heart, you can be sure that your sins are forgiven that you are now a child of God, and that you have eternal life. This is what God’s promise says and God always keeps his word. Welcome to the family of God!

 

This content is taken largely from Evangelism Explosion International. All Rights Reserved.  No part of EE’s material may be reproduced without written consent of Evangelism Explosion International.

 

In the first part of this presentation we ask questions about what you believe.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

 Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs? If so, what are those beliefs?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

To you who is Jesus Christ?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Do you think there is a heaven and a hell?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

If you died right now, where would you go?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

If what you believe were not true would you want to know it?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Please take time to think about each question and jot down a brief answer. These questions have the effect of bringing into focus your beliefs about spiritual things.

The second part of this presentation provides an opportunity for you to think about the meaning of some Bible verses. Here are some verses for you to consider:

Please read this verse out loud:

 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

 What does this verse say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Please read this verse out loud:

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

What does this verse say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Please note that the word “death” means separation from God or hell. This is serious because it means I am destined for hell because of my sin. Also note the good news: eternal life is available through Jesus Christ.

Please read this verse out loud:

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us  to God.” I Peter 3:18

 So, why did Christ come to die?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Please read these verses out loud:

“Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.'” John 3:3,6-7

In these verses, how does the new birth come about? By human effort (the flesh) or by God’s work (the Spirit)?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Please read this verse out loud:

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except by me.'” John 14:6

What does this verse say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Please read the following verses out loud:

” If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus as Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved….For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Romans 10:9,10,13

What do these verses say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 And what is God’s promise to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Please read this verse out loud:

 “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” II Corinthians 5:15

 What does this verse say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 Please read the following verses out loud.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man (or woman) hear my voice, and  open the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20

What does this verse say to you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Please note that opening the door of your life to Jesus Christ is your choice.

Jesus is eager to come into our lives, but he never forces open the door. Each of us must invite Jesus Christ into our life, for ourselves, if he is to come in.

We have just reviewed some Scripture verses and have asked you to think about the meaning of each. Here is a brief summary of what they say to me.

1. I am a sinner and fall short of God’s holy standard.
2. My sin has a penalty – eternal separation from God; but through Jesus Christ God offers me the gift of eternal life.
3. When Christ died, he died for my sins so that he could bring me to God.
4. I need to be born again to see the kingdom of God, and this is a work which only God can do.
5. Jesus is the only way to God the Father.
6. I must really believe in Jesus’ resurrection in my heart, and I must speak out a confession of Jesus Christ as my Lord to be saved. And Jesus saves everyone who calls on him in this way.
7. Once I believe in him, I am also to live for him.
8. Jesus is knocking on the door of my heart and life. For him to come in. I must invite and welcome him into my life

In the third and last part of this presentation we ask you some closing questions.

1. Based on what you just read, are you a sinner?
2. Do you want forgiveness for your sins?
3. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again?
4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ and live for him?
5. Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and your heart?

Please think carefully about and give your answer to the last question, If yes, you may say the following prayer aloud:

 “Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you. I want forgiveness for my sins, I believe  Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again. I give you my life to do with as you wish. Jesus, I am asking you to come into my life and into my heart and forgive my sins. Thank you for hearing this prayer. In Jesus name, Amen.”

If you have prayed this prayer from your heart with faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, God has forgiven your sins, Christ is now in your life, and you have been born again. This is the work of God. Give him thanks and praise for it.

 

 

The Third Presentation is based on the book “Share Jesus Without Fear,” by William Fay and Ralph Hodge.
Copyright 1997, Nashville, Lifeway Press, 2005, p. 24-42. USED BY PERMISSION. Visit Lifeway.com to purchase copies of this book.