In your personal opinion……..

what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven?

Please continue to read on and find out about the greatest gift ever given to mankind.

The Bible says in Matthew 16:26 - For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

The world today wants to offer anything and everything that money can buy, but there is one thing money can not buy and that is the peace of knowing your sins are forgiven.

Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

How then can a sinful person enter heaven where God allows no sin?

That can be answered by one word — FAITH!

F is for FORGIVENESS.

We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness.  “In Him (meaning Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins”  –Ephesians 1:7a, NKJV

A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available.  It is -

AVAILABLE FOR ALL - “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, NKJV

BUT NOT AUTOMATIC – “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven” –Matthew 7:21a, NKJV

I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.

GOD IS LOVE – As John 3:16 says, BUT ALSO

GOD IS JUST - “For judgment is without mercy” –James 2:13a, NKJV

MAN IS SINFUL - “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” — Romans 3:23, NKJV

So you may be asking yourself then, how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?

T is for TURN. Turn means to repent.

If you were driving down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do?  (Change direction)

TURN from something – sin and self - “But unless you repent you will all likewise perish” — Luke 13:3b, NKJV

TURN to someone; trust Christ only – (The Bible tells us that) “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” –1 Corinthians 15:3b-4, NKJV.  “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” — Romans 10:9, NKJV.

H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life.

HEAVEN CAN BE HERE – God wants us to experience Heaven right here one earth!  When a person has experienced the joy of knowing their sins are forgiven, there is peace and assurance when they lay their head down at night, that all is well between their heart and God and that they will go to Heaven should they be called out of this world? - “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” –John 10:10b, NKJV

HEAVEN IS IN THE HEREAFTER - “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” –John 14:3, NKJV.

HOW – How can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?

FAITH can also stand for (Forsaking All I Trust Him) - “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” — Romans 10:9, NKJV.

If you have understood all that you have just read and would like to receive this forgiveness by trusting in Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you can right now pray from your heart this salvation prayer….

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that You arose from the grave.  I now ask you to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul.  Amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer from your heart to God, we want you to know that God has a plan for your life.  God’s desire is for each Christian to grow in the grace and knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Here are just a few ways to begin growing in your journey of faith:

• Read the Bible.
• Pray.
• Fellowship with other Christians.

One of the many ways to begin growing is to attend His church and a Sunday School class.  Here you will make friends and enjoy fellowship with other Christians.  You will learn more about how God wants you to live each day.

Our church and Sunday School want to offer you the warmest and friendliest invitation to join us.  We would also like to celebrate your step of FAITH with you.  Southgate Free Will Baptist Church is ready and willing to assist you in any way possible.  You may contact us at (734)282-8020 or (734)282-8028.

Our desire for you is that you may find Southgate Free Will Baptist Church….