FIRST STEPS OF FAITH

Why Follow Jesus?

Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christian faith, offering hope, forgiveness, and eternal life. He is God’s Son, sent to earth to live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise again, defeating death. Because of our sins, we are separated from God and unable to have a personal relationship with Him; Jesus came to heal that divide, paying for our sins and offering us a new opportunity to know God.

By believing in Him, we are reconciled to God, receive His love, and find true purpose (John 3:16: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”). Then, by following Him, we become transformed and renewed; He changes us for the better.  This is the "good news" proclaimed by the Bible and by churches all over the world - it is what people call "the gospel."

Would you like to talk to someone about the gospel, and about making a personal decision to believe in Jesus?  Whether or not you attend our church, someone from our team would be glad to text with, chat with, or meet with you.  Start here.

TO BECOME A JESUS FOLLOWER, here are three things you can do right now:

1. Repent: Turn away from evil and toward God, seeking His forgiveness.

Acts 3:19: “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”  

2. Believe: Trust in Jesus as your Savior, accepting His sacrifice for you, and acknowledging that He rose again from the dead.

John 1:12: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”  

3. Follow: Commit to living as Jesus’ disciple, obeying His teachings.

Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’”

You can start all of these today - but of course, they aren't just one time decisions.  They are a new way of life!  A great way to get started is to start connecting with services, Bible studies, or other activities at church.  Here are the five ways to get going.