The Good News of the Gospel
Heaven is free gift.
It is not earned or deserved. No amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in heaven for you. “By grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast ”( Ephesians 2:8,9)
Why we need the good news…
Man is a sinner
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Because of this, man cannot save himself.“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”( Matthew 5:48)
How the Gospel works…
God is merciful…
and doesn’t want to punish us. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”(1 John 4:8) Yet..
God is just and must punish sin…
“The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ...yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.”(Exodus 34:7) But God solved the problem of our sin and guilt in the person of Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16)
Jesus Christ was sent by God to save us from our sin.
He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to secure a place for us in heaven. ” We all, like sheep. Have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
The gift of eternal life in Heaven is received by faith…
Faith is the key that opens the door to heaven. Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting on Christ alone and what He has done, rather than in what you or I have done to get us into heaven ”...Believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)
The Gospel is offered to you…
Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?
Jesus said, ”...I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in…” (Revelation 3:20)
Here’s a suggested prayer…
“Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But I believe you died and rose from the grave to secure a place for me in heaven. Lord Jesus, come into my life. Take control of my life. Forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and place my trust in You for my salvation. I accept the free gift of eternal life.”