1. Acknowledge the Problem: We have all sinned, and that sin separates us from God

No matter how good you think you are, no matter how many good things you try to do, it is still not good enough to get into heaven; it can't be earned but is a gift.

• "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

• "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

• "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:20-23

2. Discover the Solution: Jesus

The only way for God to bridge the gap between Himself and us is through His Son, Jesus Christ. His death was a substitute for us; He paid the penalty for our sins.

• "For 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

• "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God..." I Peter 3:18

• "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

3. Respond: Believe, Repent, Confess, Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior

To be saved, we must believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again the third day to pay for our sins. We must by faith confess and turn from our sins, and acknowledge before God that we are unable to attain His righteousness on our own. As we follow His plan by asking His forgiveness, we have His promise of everlasting life and a constant companion for the rest of our lives.

• "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:31

• "But 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

• "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38

• "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" Luke 5:32

• "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Recommended Growth Steps

1. Pray - you talk to God!

1. • "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18

   • "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." - 1 Timothy 2:8

   • "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" - Matthew 7:7

2. Read your Bible - God talks to you!

1. • "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - 2 Timothy 3:16

3. Join our church; encourage and support other Christians. 

1. • "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25

   • "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

4. Share your faith in Christ with non-Christians.

1. • "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..." - 2 Timothy 1:8

   • "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

5. Worship God!

1. • "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24

   • "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." Psalms 150:1-6

6. Be baptized.

1. • "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" - Matthew 28:19

7. Take communion.

1. • "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." - 1 Corinthians 11:26

8. Strive to live a holy life!

1. • "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

   • "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;" - 1 Peter 1:15