Become a Christian
God created us in His own image to be His children and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal.
Rock Harbor Church Bakersfield
God's Love & His Plan
God created us in His own image to be His children and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal.
Jesus said, “…I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b) “…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Since God planned for us to worship Him and experience peace and abundant life, why are most people not doing so? Why is the world filled with pain, suffering and heartache? Everywhere we turn, we can see evidence that the world is not as God intended it to be.
What happened to the human race?
Rock Harbor Church Bakersfield
Our Problem: Separation from God
Rather than obey the Lord, humanity chose to disobey God and go our own sinful way. We still make this choice today. When sin entered the world, man became separated from God. Death entered the world, as did suffering and pain.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “…your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
Because of sin we must face the ultimate separation from God which is eternity in the lake of fire.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20:14)
On our own, there’s no way we can attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. Through the ages, individuals have tried many ways, without success. Good works won’t do it. Neither will religion, morality, or philosophy.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
Rock Harbor Church Bakersfield
God's Remedy: The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer. Jesus is the Son of God, and when He died on the cross and rose from the grave, He paid the penalty for our sin and made a way for humanity to be reunited with God.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…” (I Peter 3:18) “But God showed his love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross was a sufficient payment to cover the sins of all who believe in Him, because He is the Son of God. His redeeming love made a way for us to be right with God.
Rock Harbor Church Bakersfield
Our Response:
It’s not enough to simply hear the truth of the gospel – we must BELIEVE it. Believing means trust and commitment – acknowledging our sinfulness and trusting in Christ’s forgiveness. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive.
“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) “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)
How to Become a Christian, a Follower of Christ:
- Be willing to turn from your unbelief & Admit your need: “Lord, I am a sinner.”
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave: “Jesus, I believe that you died on the Cross to save me.”
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit: “Lord, I ask you to be Lord of my life, and to take me to be with you in eternity.”
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