pdf_SUTLEnglishAdult

pdf_SUTLEnglishAdult

• 1.
  by Elmer Murdoch ®
• 2.
  God is awonderful God who loves you and has been trying to get your attention. Your involvements may have kept you from thinking about God. Yet, when you read this booklet, God may say something to you. All Scripture in this booklet is from the New International and the New American Standard versions. © Copyright 1971, 2014 1500-EN 1 Perhaps some of these things have prevented it… problems drugs sports family pornography business friends hobbies SUTL English Adult Booklet Page 1 – May 2, 2014
• 3.
  You probably knowsomething already about God, but here are three vital truths you should consider now. … He is all-wise and knows what is best for your life. … He is holy, cannot approve of sin and will judge it. … He is merciful so He can hold back judgment and pardon you because of Christ’s death on the cross for you. “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin…” Micah 7:18 Jesus Christ is the only way to God, for He said “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 “What is the highest purpose for living?” Some say — enjoy my family, to be happy, live a good life, be fulfilled. These are good, but the Bible tells us the highest purpose is to know God by experience through Jesus Christ and then live to please Him. This is why you were created. Think of it! You can actually know God as you would a friend. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 2
• 4.
  This wonderful Godwants to • Forgive you of all your sins • Give you meaning in your life now • Take you to heaven when you die All this is yours when you submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son. If you reject this offer of mercy and love, you put yourself over God and under His judgment. (John 3:36) You are making yourself the final authority. Therefore, the most important question you will ever face is — Who RuNs YouR lifE? You or Jesus? The next few pages will help you find out. 3
• 5.
  Every person ison one of these 5 steps. Your attitude determines your distance from God. Each “step” describes a heart atti- tude toward God and this determines your distance — near or far — from Him. Jesus taught this when He said to a man seeking truth, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34 4 unconcern Concern Conviction Repentance saving faith What step are you on?
• 6.
  uNCoNCERN You may knowa great deal about Jesus and salvation, or very little. The important point is you do not really care. An unconcerned attitude will keep you from knowing God, but it does not keep God from caring about you. For “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 5 unconcern Are you on this step?
• 7.
  CoNCERN You are awareof your inner and spiritual needs and would like to find answers to them. Perhaps a death, divorce, job loss, sickness, or influence of a friend has caused you to realize your emptiness or spiritual need. This emptiness is due to the lack of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 6 Are you on this step? True concern can lead to … Concern
• 8.
  CoNviCTioN You have astrong spiritual discomfort and guilt caused by the Holy Spirit showing you your sin and emptiness. Do you hope to go to heaven by “being good” or “doing the best you can?” The questions you must ask yourself are, “Am I good enough? Have I kept God’s commandments — 100 percent — in thought, word and deed?” If you have, then you can go to heaven by your good life. Matthew 19:17-19. However, “…through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3:20 7 To find out how good you are, take God’s Goodness Test — ThE TEN CoMMaNdMENTs. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor (obey) your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness (lie). You shall not covet. Exodus 20:3-17
• 9.
  How well didyou score? Passing is 100%. God does not grade on a scale. James 2:10 says that if you break just one commandment once, you have failed. The Law is like a balloon. One hole destroys it all. Next, consider these important questions: 1. Have you sinned by breaking any of God’s Laws? Yes No 2. Do your sins ever bother you? Yes No 3. How much? A little? A lot? Enough to do something about them? 8 Are you on this step? Conviction can lead to … Conviction
• 10.
  REpENTaNCE You have adeep change of mind and heart and choose to reject and forsake all known sin and the right to run your life independently of God. Repentance…is the act of your getting off the throne of your life so that Jesus Christ may take His rightful place there. Repentance…is the spiritual U-turn necessary before you believe. Repentance…is not just being sorry for your sins. With repentance there is sorrow, but you can have sorrow without repentance. Many people are sorry for the conse- quences of their sin, but not sin itself. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” II Corinthians 7:10 Repentance…is not just quitting a sinful act. Some people have refrained from certain sins and reformed for personal reasons (health, reputation, family, business, etc.), not because their sins displeased God. 9
• 11.
  Repentance…is mentioned over55 times in the New Testament. Jesus Himself said, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:3 how important is it then to repent? 10 If you are on this step, turn the page now, and take the final step. Repentance
• 12.
  saviNG faiTh iNThE loRd JEsus You are prepared to make a total commitment, of all you are and all you have, to the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a change of government in your heart from self-rule to the Lord Jesus Christ. Since Christ is God, died on the cross and rose from the dead for you, He is more important than your job, family, finances, career, and even your life itself. Matthew 10:37-39, Luke 9:57-62, I Corinthians 15:3,4 In Luke 14:26, Jesus says that if a person would be His disciple, he must put Him first before his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — or he cannot be His disciple. When you surrender and completely trust Him in this way, God will put His Spirit in and you will be born into His family. God now becomes your loving Father and receives you as His son or daughter. He can make any changes in your life that He wants to bring Him more honor. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31 11
• 13.
  “Therefore, since wehave been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Romans 5:1 “He made peace through the blood of His cross for us.” Colossians 1:20 Jesus Christ becomes the Lord of your life at conversion. He lives in you by His Spirit and is the Source and Enabler of your Christian life. 12 Since God has drawn you to this step, make your commitment to Christ today… saving faith
• 14.
  in your ownwords talk to God… Confess your sins. Call them by name — pride, sexual sins, lying, unforgiveness, greed, cheating, etc. Tell God you are repenting — willing to forsake all known sin and the root of your sins which is selfishness. Tell God you are believing in Jesus Christ — Whom He has raised from the dead and receiving Him into your life as Lord and Savior. He will keep His word, forgive you and come into your life, making you new. You may make this commitment with or without deep emotions. Your reaction is determined by temperament, background and God’s individual approach to you. You do know that you have committed your will to please the Lord and this is essential. Emotions will pass, but the choice of your heart remains the same. Thank the Lord now for becoming His child and for His new life within you. YOU CAN PRAY NOW. 13
• 15.
  four reasons youcan know you are saved: 1You have obeyed God’s commands to repent and believe, and He is faithful in keeping His Word. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 2You have confidence in the blood of Christ shed on the cross. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…” Ephesians 1:7 3You have renounced all claims to run your life and given Jesus Christ, the Resurrected Lord, that supreme right. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him…” Colossians 2:6 4God has put His Holy Spirit right inside you — in your very spirit and gives you assurance you are His. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” Romans 8:16 14
• 16.
  New life inJesus Christ produces these beginning changes... 1. A desire to know the Bible. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation...” I Peter 2:2 2. A desire to obey Jesus Christ. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 3. Distress over sin. We can no longer enjoy sinning. “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” II Timothy 2:19 4. Concern for the lost – those who have not yet repented and do not know God personally. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 For further help contact: For teaching/study and children’s material, video or various language tract versions, contact us at (402) 933-4095 www.stepuptolife.com • [email protected] Check out lifesajungle.com and our FREE app “Life’s A Jungle” on iTunes and Google Play Step Up To Life Ministries 20301 Wirt Street P.O. Box 730 Elkhorn, NE 68022 U.S.A. SUTL English Adult Booklet Back Cover – May 2, 2014