What did Jesus say about himself?

Transcription

1 Who is Jesus? Secular Roman historians of Jesus day said he had a reputation as a healer... and he did. Islam says Jesus was a prophet... and he was. Jewish historians and rabbis say Jesus was a great teacher... and he was. Hindus even believe Jesus was divine... and he is. What did Jesus say about himself? I am the resurrection and the life. John 11:25-26

2 I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:16 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 I am the bread of life He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God s one and only Son. John 3:16-18

3 Jesus claimed to be more than a teacher, prophet, healer. He claimed to be God s Son, the promised Messiah. He claimed to be God himself. His exact words were, I am the beginning and the end. Jesus Christ is still alive today. He was resurrected from the grave two thousand years ago. Now, two thousand years later, he still has millions of disciples from all across the nations of the earth, from China to Bangladesh, from Australia to Chile, from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, and from the Sudan to the United States. Petra Church is just one gathering among a global community of believers who are committed to a personal relationship with a risen Messiah, Jesus Christ. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ too! In fact, that s what YOU WERE CREATED FOR!

4 Maybe you ve been searching... for meaning in your life, and you ve filled that need will all different kinds of things: pleasures, success, knowledge, relationships. You may have discovered by now, nothing else can substitute the need in your heart for a relationship with your Creator. Jesus paid a hefty price for you to experience eternal life and personal relationship with God. He paid your sin-debt, through a gruesome death. God loved you that much. You may still have a lot of questions. We all do. You don't have to have it all figured out. No one does. You don t have to be all put together. That s the journey that he takes with you. Simply admitting your need for him is the first step in your journey with him. This is what the Bible says about your need for him. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we may be saved. Acts 4:12 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins. John 8:24 For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

5 The most important decision you can make in your life is to give Jesus Christ control of your life and to ask for the forgiveness of your sins. ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THAT DECISION? Prayer for Salvation I declare that Jesus Christ is alive from the dead and is King and Lord over heaven and earth. I now open the door to my heart and receive him as the King and Lord of my life. Jesus, I confess that many times I have sinned by thinking, saying and doing wrong things. I have tried to live independent from your control over my life. Please forgive me for my sins. I receive your (Jesus) death on the cross as the payment for those sins. And I receive eternal life as a free gift from you. The Bible says that in you I am now a new person. My past has been erased from the record and all things have become new. I now receive your Holy Spirit who promised to never leave me. Fill me with new desires that are honoring to you, and help me to become the kind of person you want me to be. Amen!

6 What happens when I pray this? You receive eternal life. John 14:20; Revelation 3:20 Jesus comes into your life. John 14:20; Revelation 3:20 Your sins are forgiven. Colossians 1:14 You become a child of God and a -John 1:12-13 member of his family. As God s child you can now begin to experience God s friendship peace power to live a life free of sin freedom blessings special purpose for your life. What do I need to do now? First you need to know that living a new life in Jesus is NOT based on how hard you try. It s based on filling your life with God s presence. Learn to love him and enjoy him, obey him and glorify him.

7 It s a Journey! Take it one step at a time. Here are some steps to help you fill your life with God s presence. Step 1: Study the Bible Read your Bible daily. (Start in the book of John). Using a Bible devotional can be helpful to get you started. Petra has some recommended books. Step 2: Learn to Pray Prayer is simply talking to Jesus. You can talk to him by making requests, conversing like a friend, giving him thanks and praise. Step 3: Connect with a Healthy Spiritual Community Attend Sunday worship services. Get involved in a Small Group. Petra Small Groups begin in September and January. We recommend FOUNDATIONS or Cleansing Stream for starters. Step 4: Be Baptized Baptism is the expression of your new faith and symbolizes the washing away of your sins. Sign up for a baptism at Petra in March, July, or November. Step 5: Live a Life of Worship to God Begin living your life to glorify God. Learn to love God with everything you have. Surrender your daily life to the Holy Spirit, God s commands and truths.

8 Oh and one more thing Don t base your faith on how you feel. Cause you may feel great one moment, and discouraged the next. THAT S NORMAL. We can have confidence in our relationship with God and our eternal salvation because it s based on God s promise and not how we feel. And it s based on God s generous forgiveness and not our good deeds. CHECK OUT WHAT GOD says in his scriptures. For God so loved the world (you and I) that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God not by works so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8,9 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 If you have any questions about faith, salvation, or how to grow in your faith please feel free to contact us. Pastor Brian at Brianf@petracf.org or call our church office and ask for a pastor.