What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing "WHY?"

They exist year after year with no idea why they live or God's purpose for their lives.

The most basic question a person can ask is "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF MY LIFE?"

I Just Want to Be Happy

Everyone wants to be happy. People try many ways:

...Some look for happiness in acquiring possessions.
...Some look for happiness by experiencing pleasure.
...Some look for happiness by gaining prestige or power.

But real happiness comes from understanding YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

God made YOU to have a LOVE relationship with Him

God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called Children of God! And that is what we are!" I John 3:1

We were created to ENJOY personal relationship with God

...created to enjoy full and meaningful lives.

“God...richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I Timothy 6:17

Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life, and have It to the fullest." John 10:10

We are to MANAGE the rest of God’s creation

This makes us special.

"God created man in His own image...male and female, He created them. God blessed them and said...'rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground'."
Genesis 1:26-27

An EVERLASTING relationship with God

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." John 6:47

"...but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

What Does it Mean to be Blessed by God?

When we know and love God, and live in harmony with His purpose for our lives, it produces tremendous benefits in our lives.

Clear Conscience Romans 8:1

Heaven John 14:1-6

Purpose Romans 8:28

Help with Weakness Romans 8:26

Security Romans 8:26

Confidence Romans 8:31

Power & Strength Philippians 4:13

Life & Peace Romans 8:6

Freedom John 8:32,36

Fulfillment Philippians 4:19

Love & Joy Galatians 5:22-23

This is the kind of life God intends for us to live.

Why then aren't most people living happy, fulfilled lives?

Have you heard these before?

"Look out for 'Number One'!"
"Do your own thing!"
"If it feels good--do it...no matter what God says about it!"
"It's my life, and I'll do as I please!"

Man has a natural desire to be BOSS and to ignore God's principles for living.

The Bible calls this attitude SIN

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." I John 1:8

"There is no one righteous, not even one." Romans 3:10

SIN breaks our close relationship with God

"The trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God." Isaiah 59:2

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

What happens when our relationship to God is not right?

When our relationship with God is not right, it causes PROBLEMS in every area of our lives

marriage
friends
career
family
relationships
finances

and ultimately result in ETERNAL separation from God.

"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin...gives birth to death." James 1:14-15

Why do people hold onto their problems?

When people have problems, they often try many different way of coping before turning to God.

“There is a way that seems right to man, but in the
end it leads to death."
Proverbs 16:25

Wrong Ways of Getting to Know God

Even when we know that our deepest need is God, we often try wrong ways of getting to know Him.

"It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere."

"My mother was a Christian, so..."

"I'll work real hard and earn it."

"I am better than most people I know."

"I am a good person"

"My whole family believes"
"I go to church regularly"

What’s The Solution?

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself. If any other way would have worked, Jesus Christ would not have had to come. The Way is a person---Jesus Christ!

Jesus has already taken care of your SIN problem!

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
Romans 6:23

Why Did God Do This?

God did this for us because He loves us, and wants us to know Him.

"But God demonstrates His love toward us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God has already done His part to restore our relationship to Him. He took the initiative. Now, He waits for each of us to individually accept what He has done for us.

What is Repentance?

ADMIT that God has not been given first place in my life, REPENT , and ask Him to forgive my sins.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

"Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out." Acts 3:19

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins.

Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning to God through Jesus - It’s turning 180 degrees from the things that separate us from Him.

What does it mean to BELIEVE?

BELIEVE that Jesus died to pay for your sins, that He rose again, and is alive today.
"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus.

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the
demons believe that – and shudder." James 2:19

SURRENDER to Jesus as Leader (Lord) of your life.

“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

Surrendering to Jesus as Leader & Lord is giving Him CONTROL of your life.

Is everyone a child of God?

God‘s free gift of SALVATION is yours; you cannot receive it any other way. Simply, ACCEPT it!

"To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

We become children of God when we are saved because we are adopted into God's family through our relationship with Jesus Christ

Will YOU call upon Jesus?

You can take these steps by praying a simple prayer of commitment to God:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for making me and loving me, even when I've ignored you and gone my own way. I realize I need you in my life and I'm truly sorry for my sins. I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please help me to understand it more. As much as I know, I want to follow you from now on. Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept your gift of salvation. Please help me to grow now as a Christian."

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13