How to Become a Christian!
Is there any Hope?
- The future is uncertain.
- Families are falling apart.
- Drugs are ruining cities and schools.
- Disease is killing our people.
Is there any Hope?
- Can we have peace and joy in our hearts?
- Can we have fulfilment in life?
- Can we have power and strength to live meaningful lives?
- Does anyone really care?
The Bible says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
In His Word, the Bible, we find the Road to Hope.
The First Step on the Road to Hope is Power.
There is a power capable of giving you hope.
The Bible tells us God has that power.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” Romans 1:16
The Second Stop on the Road to Hope is Change.
The release of God’s power results in change. The biblical word for change is repentance. This means allowing God to change the direction of our lives.
“God’s kindness leads you towards repentance” Romans 2:4
Why is Change Necessary?
A universal problem the Bible calls sin makes change necessary for all of us.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
Sin means “missing the mark.” It is failing to meet God’s standard for how we ought to live.
The Third Stop on the Road to Hope is God’s Love.
Although He is not pleased with us as we are, God loves us and wants to help us.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Unfortunately, our sin carries the penalty of death, both physical and eternal.
“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23
God is willing to forgive us by accepting Jesus as our substitute. His death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin. His resurrection from the dead provides our eternal life.
The Fourth Stop on the Road to Hope is your commitment.
“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.... ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”’ Romans 10:9,13
Commitment means to:
- Repent - Turn away from sin to follow God’s new direction for your life.
- Believe - Trust Jesus as your substitute.
- Confess - Acknowledge Jesus as the Supreme Authority over your life.
- Call - Ask Him for forgiveness, eternal life, and hope.
Read the following prayer, and see if it expresses the desire of your heart.
“Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. Because I have sinned and need forgiveness, I ask Jesus to come into my heart. I am willing to change the direction of my life by knowledging Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and by turning away from my sins. Thank You for giving me forgiveness, eternal life, and hope.
In Jesus’ name, Amen”
Use this prayer if it expresses your feelings, or pray a similar prayer in your own words, committing your life to Jesus and asking Him for His gift of eternal life.
You Are Assured of Eternal Life and Hope Because:
- You can trust God’s Promise.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13
Did you sincerely ask Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior? Where is He right now? What does God’s Word Promise?
- You are a member of God’s Family.
“The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God’s children” Romans 8:16
- Your life is eternally secured in God.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39
What Happens After You Receive Hope from God?
- You will begin to live for God (Romans 12:1-2, 9-18)
- You will publicly profess your faith by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 3:21; Romans 6:4)
- You will share with others what Jesus has done for you (Romans 10:14)
- You will get to know God better through prayer, Bible Study, and fellowship with other Christians as a member of a local church (Romans 15:4-6)
If you prayed that prayer and accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, contact us, we want to know.
Calvary Baptist Church, 605-342-3384 or calvary@rapidnet.com
If you would like to talk to a Pastor,
Pastor Steven Lindsay can be reached at 605-342-3384 or pastorsteve@calvarybaptistrapidcity.com
*Material and Information taken from “Here’s Hope” by North American Mission Board. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version.
