None of us knows the day or hour that we will die - But we will all die that is certain.  Melissa did not expect to die at the age of 21, just three months and sixteen days after her wedding day. Her short life was filled with supernatural love and joy that can only be explained by her relationship to God, her Creator.

 

God seems to be shaking up this generation and calling many of the young into eternity.  How about you?  Are you too young to die?  Is your life filled with love and joy? 

 

Our life here on earth is just a speck in eternity so where we spend eternity ought to mean more to us than the joys and sorrows of this life.  Take a moment and consider if you were to die today.

 

If you were to die today in a car accident or through a sudden illness do you know for certain where you would spend eternity? 

 

If you were to die today and come face to face with the Almighty God, the God who created the universe, the God who created you, what would you say to Him?  “Why should I let you into My heaven where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore?” 

 

What would you say to Him?

 

If you do not know what you would say or you feel uneasy with the question it is because there is a barrier between you and God - the barrier is called sin.  In God’s Word, The Bible it says:

 

Romans 6:23

“ For the wages of sin is death,…

The result of sin is physical and spiritual death.

 God created man to live forever, to enjoy His creation and to have an intimate relationship with Him.  Man chose to disobey God - to sin - as a result death entered into God’s perfect creation.  Because of our sin - our disobedience to God - we will all die physically and we are all separated from that intimate relationship with God. 

 

Romans 3:23

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

 

Every one of us falls short of entering into heaven where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore!

 

But…

 

Romans 6:23

 …but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

God loves you and wants you to have an abundant life, an eternally abundant life now and in heaven.

 

 

It is a FREE gift that Jesus Christ purchases for you and now presents to you.

Ephesians 2:8-9

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

Grace is a gift, a reward, a prize that you did nothing to earn or deserve.

Faith is belief, trust, assurance, conviction!

 

Faith in what?  In Whom?  

 Jesus Christ

 

Who is He? 

 

He is God, our Creator who came to earth to dwell among us.

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1,2,14

 

Who is He? 

He is The Almighty

"To Him who loved us and washed  us from our sins in His own blood…."I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,"  says the Lord,  "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:5,8

 

What did He do? 

He paid the penalty for our sins and He has purchased and prepared a place in heaven for us.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us  to God…

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What did He say?

Matthew 4:17 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

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If Jesus preached repentance then we should understand what that is and how it fits into being saved by grace.  Repent simply means to change one's mind.  Your mind has changed and sin no longer holds your affection; the love of Jesus holds your affection. You turn away from one affection towards another.  You can't receive the grace of God if you continue to love sin.  The two are not compatible.  There needs to be a sorrow over our sin and a turning away from it towards the love, grace and forgiveness that Jesus Christ freely gives us. 

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What did He promise?

John 14:1-3

 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  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.

 

You have 2 Choices

 

1.  You can receive the punishment for your sins and eternal destruction.

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“when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking  vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

 

2. You can receive the free gift of Christ’s payment for you sins and eternal life.

 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord“.

 Romans 6:23

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Is there any other Way to Heaven?

NO!

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

 

What must you do to receive the free gift of eternal life?

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Repent - Change your mind about your sin and turn towards God.

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3 NKJV

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, - Acts 3:19 NKJV

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Personal faith - Believe in your heart

“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” 1Corinithians 15:3-4

 

And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts16:30-31

 

Call on the Name of Jesus

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Romans 10:13

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Receive His Free Gift

"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

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Many people believe that Jesus Christ lived and died.  Many even go to church on Easter Sunday to celebrate His resurrection but they have never trusted Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for their sins and received the free gift of eternal life. 

 

Are you ready for eternity?  Are you ready to accept the free gift of an abundant eternal life that begins right now?  Just take a moment and call on the Name of Jesus.  Give Him your sins.  He will give you life everlasting, fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. 

 

Here is a suggested prayer:

 

Father God in heaven, in the name of Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I accept Christ’s death on the cross as payment for my sins.  Thank you for the gift of eternal life.  I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sins and rose again from the dead.  I now receive You Jesus as my Savior and Lord and put my trust in you to give me and abundant life now and into eternity.  I give you control of my life.  Thank you for preparing a place for me and saving me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

 

Pray this prayer now.  Welcome Child of God to your amazing NEW LIFE in Christ. 

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You just became a NEW CREATION!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

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YOUR NEXT STEP

 

Miles McPherson was one of Melissa's pastors.  He has some wonderful next-step materials for you.  Click below to listen to a minute video and then sign up for your NEXT STEPS!