Sharing about our church, Abilene Baptist Church, is something each and every member of our staff and church body loves to do. But there is something far more important that we have to share. You see, church membership is far less important than heavenly membership. It is more important to know where you stand with God than where you stand with men and women. Answer this question openly and honestly with yourself.

Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?

God wants you to be sure. His Word, the Bible, says in 1 John 5:13,"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life."

Another question to consider is:

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?

You may not know what you would say, but you can know because God loves you and has a purpose for your life. The Bible states it this way, "God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

God's purpose is that we have eternal life! Notice these three important facts about eternal life:

    #1 - We receive eternal life as a free gift. - "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)

    #2 - We can live a full and meaningful life right now. - "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

    #3 - We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. - "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:3)

Eternal life gives meaning to life. BUT, our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Thus...
Our need is to understand our problem.

What does "our need" involve? What does it mean? "Our need" can be summed up this way:

    #1 - We are all sinners by nature and by choice. - "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

    #2 - We cannot save ourselves. - "Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:9)

    #3 - We deserve death and hell. - "The wages of sin is death" - (Romans 3:23)

It is true that God is loving, but He is also holy and just and must punish sin. Yet, because He loves us He has provided forgiveness for our sin. He has given us a provision, His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) The good new is that God has provided for the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus Christ is all that we need to provide us with an eternal heavenly membership. Accepting God's provision, Jesus Christ, is the only way we can have eternal life. Nothing more, nothing less. Notice what God's Word states about our provision, Jesus Christ:

    #1 - Jesus is God and became man. - " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:1, 14)

    #2 - Jesus died for us on the cross. - "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)

    #3 - Jesus was resurrected from the dead. - "(Jesus) was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

That is good news, but the only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible Says, "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1 : 12) The choice is ours.

To accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, one must.......

#1 - REPENT

We must repent of our sin. -

    "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin. -

    "Repent and turn to God, and do works which give evidence of repentance." (Acts 26:20)

Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from our sin. It's like making a U-turn. As we turn....

#2 - FAITH IN JESUS

We have to place our faith in Jesus. -

    "By grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus. -

    "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)

Faith is trusting in Jesus. It's like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip until you trust the plane enough to board it. Finally, to trust in Jesus means.....

#3 - SURRENDER

We must surrender to Jesus as Lord.

    "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For . . . with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus. -

    "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father,which is in heaven." (Matthew 7 : 21)

Surrendering to Jesus as Lord means giving Jesus control of our lives. That is, we must give all we know of ourselves to all we know of God. To give Jesus control of our lives is like driving down the highway with another person. As long as you are driving, you are in control. If you realize you don't know the way, but the other person does, you might say. 'You take the wheel and drive." Then the other person is in control and the two of you take the route he chooses.

        THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

        1. Does what you have been reading make sense to you?

        2. Is there any reason you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?

        3. Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus right now?

        If you've answered yes to these questions listen to what the Bible says,

    "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

All you have to do is ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, place your faith in Him and surrender to Him as Lord of your life. If you would like to do this, read this prayer and see if it says what you want to say to God.

    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 Saviour and Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name. Amen

If this is what you want to say to God, then call on the Lord in repentance, faith, and surrender by praying these words or similar words of you own; and Jesus will become your Saviour and Lord.

If you've prayed this prayer or one similar, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, you have just made the most important decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life.

As evidence of giving Jesus control, you will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way of identification is to confess Jesus publicly (Matthew 10:32-33) and to follow Him in Baptism and church membership (Acts 2:31).

If you have accepted Jesus Christ, please contact us so that we may share in your joy. If you have more questions concerning your salvation or would like assistance in finding a Southern Baptist Church in your area, contact us here at Abilene.