partners in growing - evangelism · but i believe you died and gave your life for me and purchased...

PARTNERS IN GROWING

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

(John 1:12)

CONTENTS WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD

FIVE MEANS OF GROWTH

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP?

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!

You have just heard the Bibles message of eternal life. As a result of your commitment to Christ by faith, you are now a child of God! Nothing or no one can separate you from God (Romans 8:38, 39) Great joy takes place in heaven when a person turns from sin to the Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (turns from sin)” (Luke 15:10). We rejoice with the angels in your decision. But we must interject a word of caution. The Bible states clearly that no one has eternal life just because he SAYS that he has trusted Christ (James 2:14). Only the person who has truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from his sins and genuinely placed his faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death has received eternal life. The person who has committed his life to Jesus Christ and thereby received the gift of eternal life will, out of gratitude for the gift, desire to: • Obey Christ and please God • Study God’s Word: the Bible • Be with God’s people in worship • Tell others about Christ • Live a clean and holy life The person who has no desire to learn more and grow in his spiritual life should not be deceived into thinking he actually possesses eternal life. Although there will be struggles, with new life comes new desires and a new hunger for the things of God. Let’s take a few moments and review what the Bible says about how a person receives eternal life. Eternal life is a gift of God. “… But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) A genuine gift is not earned or deserved; therefore, no amount of personal effort or “church work” can earn heaven for us. God offers it only as a gift. The Bible makes it clear that it must be a gift because man is a sinner; not just any man, but ALL men and women. God says, “… ALL have sinned and fall short…” (Romans 3:23). We are separated from God by Sin. Thus man cannot save himself because he is continually doing that which keeps him from eternal life…sin.

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In spite of our sin, God is merciful. He loves us because “God is love” (1 John 4:8b). But the same Bible that tells us God loves us, also says God is just. Being Just, He always renders perfect justice. He therefore must punish sin, “by no means clearing the guilty.” (Exodus 34:7b) Now, we recognise our problem. We are sinners and God – being just – must punish our sins. Jesus is the only answer to our problem. But who is Jesus? What did He do for us? Jesus Christ, the Son of God is God come in flesh (John 1:1, 14). He came to this earth, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to purchase a place in heaven for us. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “… The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity (sin) of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus’ life and death is the gift offered to sinful man. How, then, does a person possess this gift of eternal life? We receive God’s gift of eternal life by faith. Faith is the key to heaven. “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” Ephesians 2:8) Faith that saves is not just an intellectual understanding of the biblical facts, nor is it just a trust in God for the temporary needs of life such as health and finances. Saving faith is trusting that Jesus’ sacrificial death, burial and resurrection purchased eternal life for you. To express this faith and put our new desires into action, God allows us to talk to Him directly. This is called prayer. A prayer, asking God for eternal life, may be expressed like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But I believe You died and gave Your life for me and purchased a place in heaven for me. Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation, and I accept the free gift of eternal life. Amen.” This simple prayer expresses the desire to receive eternal life. Have you made this commitment? If not, we invite you to do so right now.



If you have genuinely made such a commitment to Jesus Christ, you need to grow! An amazing transformation took place the moment you prayed and genuinely committed your life to Jesus Christ. You were spiritually BORN! Jesus said “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Just as a newborn baby is to grow physically, so we are to grow spiritually. A baby grows with the intake of food and the love of a family. In like manner, a person who is a spiritual new-born will grow with the intake of spiritual food (the Bible) and with the love of their spiritual family (the church). In the following pages, we are going to briefly examine five means of growth God has provided for the spiritual development of His children.



1. BIBLE Read one chapter of the Book of John in the BIBLE each day. “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word (of God), that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2) “(God’s) Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) God’s Word promises all the above and much more. The way to discover these treasures is to study the Bible. Begin by reading at least one chapter each day in the Gospel (gospel means “good news”) of John. Since the chapters are short, you can read one in about 10 minutes. Keep a pencil handy and underline verses that are especially meaningful to you. Your reading will probably generate questions. Put a question mark (?) in the margin next to any portion you may need to discuss with a Christian friend who can help explain it to you. 2. PRAYER Spend time each day in PRAYER conversing with God. Prayer is our direct communication line to God in heaven. You can and should pray about everything! God’s Word says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)



3. WORSHIP WORSHIP regularly in a church that teaches you the Bible. Worship is a vital aspect of growth. God loves you and wants to spend time with you. God the Father seeks people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23). The Bible clearly teaches the benefits and blessings of worship. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’.” (Psalm 122:1) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25) “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” (Acts 2:46) “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1) Two important means of worship that true believers are to observe are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism Baptism is the believers’ sign to the world regarding his personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. All Christians are commanded to be baptised. Your church will more fully explain and administer this act of worship and obedience to you. The Lords Supper Jesus gave instructions to the disciples that the Lord’s Supper was to be practised, “in remembrance of me.” It is a time of reflection upon the great sacrifice the Lord Jesus made for us. The broken bread reminds us of His physical body that was wounded for us. The cup we drink is a reminder of His blood he shed for us. Your church will administer and explain this more fully to you.



4. FELLOWSHIP FELLOWSHIP with Christians who will help you grow in faith. Fellowship with other Christians is not only a joy but is absolutely essential to your growth. We learn and are encouraged by one another. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV) We all need people with whom we can be completely open and share our lives and burdens. The Bible tells us to do so. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) The early church understood this need “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42) 5. WITNESS Be a WITNESS by telling others what Jesus Christ means to you. Witnessing is sharing the joy of your salvation with others. It is perhaps even more important as a new child of God that you share Christ. Why? Because Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32, 33) Our friends and family members need to know how to receive the gift of eternal life, too. What could your message be: You can start by memorising the most popular verse in the Bible. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”



You can make this verse even more personal by placing your name in the blacks below: “For God so loved ______________________________________ that He gave His only begotten Son, that (if) ___________________________________ believes in Him ____________________________ should not perish but __________________________________ will have everlasting life.” Not only can you use this verse to share your faith, but it will also be a powerful tool to have when Satan comes to trouble you. Let’s take a moment to review. 1. Eternal life is a gift from God. 2. You can do nothing to earn it. 3. Jesus Christ gave His life for you and, by dying, purchased a place in heaven

for you. 4. You receive the gift of eternal life by faith. 5. When you receive eternal life, you are born again spiritually and now need to grow

spiritually. 6. The means of spiritual growth God has provided are: THE BIBLE PRAYER WORSHIP FELLOWSHIP WITNESS Remember, nothing or no one can take the gift of eternal life from you. That is a fact that is found over and over again in God’s Word. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47) “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)


WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP?

Attend a Bible-teaching church regularly where Jesus Christ is honoured. Confess your faith in Christ to them (Matthew 10:32) and become a member. A church that teaches you the Bible will help you to grow spiritually. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…” (Hebrews 10:25) Remember: No one has eternal life just because he SAYS that he has trusted Christ. Only the person who has truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from his sins and genuinely placed his faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, burial and resurrection has received eternal life. If you have questions, there is someone willing to share with you, love you, and help you. Newday Church .


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