Do You Know the Life-Giving God of The Gospel?
What would it mean to you to have a new past, a new present, and a new future? What would it mean to have an entirely new identity? The good news of the gospel is that In Christ, you can!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17).
There is true freedom in being released from and forgiven for one's past, great power in a new present, and tremendous hope when given a new future. God through the gospel does that. A new life now!
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
But there's more. Have you considered what happens to you after you die? Where will you go and what will you do? God’s word says,
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Jesus also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
For more information about the gospel keep reading: (or reach out to: pastor@shelbycenterchurch.info)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17).
There is true freedom in being released from and forgiven for one's past, great power in a new present, and tremendous hope when given a new future. God through the gospel does that. A new life now!
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
But there's more. Have you considered what happens to you after you die? Where will you go and what will you do? God’s word says,
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Jesus also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
For more information about the gospel keep reading: (or reach out to: pastor@shelbycenterchurch.info)
You can learn more about what we believe here.
Religion is Not The Answer, A Relationship with God Is
Some believe they’ll go to heaven because they’re a good person or because they’ve done good things, like keeping God’s law. Others believe they can’t go to heaven because they’re too bad.
Whether you believe you are good enough, or not good enough, please read on. The issue is not whether you are good or bad. There’s something else you need to know.
In John 3:1-7, a very good, moral, successful, sincere, well-respected member of society, and a very devout, careful religious leader speaks with Jesus. By every imaginable standard of being deserving of a place in heaven - having favor with God - this man qualified!
Yet, that good man, with as much religion as he knew and practiced, could not see what the kingdom of God really was! In fact, his religion was clouding his view! So, what religion are you?
It really doesn’t matter. As sincere as you are, it may be a poor substitute for what the kingdom of God and eternal life really is. You see, when it comes to favor with God, being good is not good enough!
This man, Nicodemus, had a good name, a good reputation and a good religious background. But it wasn’t good enough. And Jesus spoke directly to him and said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Just a couple of verses later, Jesus adds, that “Except a man be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual birth / born again], he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
As good as Nicodemus was, he needed something more. According to God's word, none of us are “good enough”. In fact, if truth be told, we're much worse than we think!
Romans 3:10 says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Just a few verses later Paul adds, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
That is why Jesus came. To do for us what we could never do - be good enough! God became a man so that He could satisfy the just demand of a righteous God. There must be a just penalty for sin and payment, and we cannot meet that demand. So Jesus took our place and did it for us. In Him, it's done!
Whether you believe you’re good enough, or too bad and could never be good enough, you need Jesus and that is exactly why He came: To save sinners – all kinds, good and bad ones!
So, Jesus took our place at Calvary’s Cross. He died in our place to satisfy God’s justice. But also to make that payment on behalf of, and as a substitute for, any who would take personal responsibility for their sin, repent (change mind about / turn away from sin), believe, ask God to forgive them, and exchange their sin and self-centered life, for Jesus’ righteous and selfless life (2 Cor. 5:15, 17-21).
This is the good news of the gospel! There is hope and there is healing in Jesus Christ. God freely forgives and offers the gift of righteousness to any and all who genuinely desire and then ask for it.
The gospel is a gift of a new righteous and eternal past, present, and future secured by the everlasting love of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's what God did for you at Calvary's cross 2000 years ago.
Where can you place the guilt, the shame, the regret, the hurts and horrors of your past, present, and future? How can you be forgiven and freed from the burden and bondage of sin and the scars of the past?
Have you grown tired of yourself, your life yet? Where can peace, pardon, purity and paradise be truly found? Talk to God: Repent, Believe, Ask, Receive. It's easier than you think.
Confess your sin to Jesus (God), believe that He died, was buried, and rose again, and ask Him to forgive and take your sin from you so that you won't continue in it and give you His righteous and eternal life instead. He will and is waiting. What are you waiting for?
In reality, this is like a death bed confession and funeral – yours! By virtue of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ you are confessing all known sin to God as one who desires to have a clear conscience.
By being as thorough as you can (no secrets, no excuses), you recognize God is comparing His complete record of all your sin (things contrary to God's law) to the genuineness of your confession. So be honest and don't be in a hurry.
God will know if you’re sincere. Don't hold anything back, seek to cover it up, or put a favorable spin on it. God already knows and is waiting for you to take responsibility for it.
You are giving consent to God to take your life and replace it with His. You are giving consent to being placed by God into Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
You are seeking to be rescued from the life of sin and therefore repenting of your life so that you can be given the life of Christ. His life becomes your new identity: "A new creature in Christ."
Ask God to give you His life in exchange for yours and you’ll become what Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be: Born again. It is here that you enter into a personal, life-giving and life-changing relation-ship with God, not a new religion.
This is a spiritual transaction that brings death to your old way of life and replaces it with Christ's holy life. You're given a new spirit, a spiritual new birth - Christ's life and Spirit in exchange for yours.
Think of it this way. God spiritually takes you back to Calvary’s cross, places you into Christ's crucifixion and death, but also raises you in newness of Christ's life - a regenerated, resurrected life!
In that transaction your sinful past, present and future are buried with Jesus. But that's not all! Because your sins have now been paid for, He can raise you (spiritually) in newness of life: Jesus’ life!
Your sinful mortal life is exchanged for Christ’s righteous and eternal life: You’re born again! You’ll know because your life will be changed. Others will know too. Do you believe God can do this? Then ask.
All this is by faith, not by joining and keeping religious laws or ceremonies or good deeds. Only Christ, by faith can accomplish the new birth:
"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:Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Jn 1:12-13.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesian 2:8-10.
How does one become born-again and receive a new past that brings forgiveness for and freedom from sin, a powerful new present to live as God intended for you to live, and a hope-filled future? Repent. Believe. Ask. Receive.
Friend, it doesn't matter how good or bad you've been or are. It doesn't matter what religion you are or were. What matters is that you believe and receive the gospel before you leave this life.
Are you ready? Now you know what to do. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved". Talk to God like He's in the room - He is!
Whether you believe you are good enough, or not good enough, please read on. The issue is not whether you are good or bad. There’s something else you need to know.
In John 3:1-7, a very good, moral, successful, sincere, well-respected member of society, and a very devout, careful religious leader speaks with Jesus. By every imaginable standard of being deserving of a place in heaven - having favor with God - this man qualified!
Yet, that good man, with as much religion as he knew and practiced, could not see what the kingdom of God really was! In fact, his religion was clouding his view! So, what religion are you?
It really doesn’t matter. As sincere as you are, it may be a poor substitute for what the kingdom of God and eternal life really is. You see, when it comes to favor with God, being good is not good enough!
This man, Nicodemus, had a good name, a good reputation and a good religious background. But it wasn’t good enough. And Jesus spoke directly to him and said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Just a couple of verses later, Jesus adds, that “Except a man be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual birth / born again], he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
As good as Nicodemus was, he needed something more. According to God's word, none of us are “good enough”. In fact, if truth be told, we're much worse than we think!
Romans 3:10 says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Just a few verses later Paul adds, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
That is why Jesus came. To do for us what we could never do - be good enough! God became a man so that He could satisfy the just demand of a righteous God. There must be a just penalty for sin and payment, and we cannot meet that demand. So Jesus took our place and did it for us. In Him, it's done!
Whether you believe you’re good enough, or too bad and could never be good enough, you need Jesus and that is exactly why He came: To save sinners – all kinds, good and bad ones!
So, Jesus took our place at Calvary’s Cross. He died in our place to satisfy God’s justice. But also to make that payment on behalf of, and as a substitute for, any who would take personal responsibility for their sin, repent (change mind about / turn away from sin), believe, ask God to forgive them, and exchange their sin and self-centered life, for Jesus’ righteous and selfless life (2 Cor. 5:15, 17-21).
This is the good news of the gospel! There is hope and there is healing in Jesus Christ. God freely forgives and offers the gift of righteousness to any and all who genuinely desire and then ask for it.
The gospel is a gift of a new righteous and eternal past, present, and future secured by the everlasting love of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's what God did for you at Calvary's cross 2000 years ago.
Where can you place the guilt, the shame, the regret, the hurts and horrors of your past, present, and future? How can you be forgiven and freed from the burden and bondage of sin and the scars of the past?
Have you grown tired of yourself, your life yet? Where can peace, pardon, purity and paradise be truly found? Talk to God: Repent, Believe, Ask, Receive. It's easier than you think.
Confess your sin to Jesus (God), believe that He died, was buried, and rose again, and ask Him to forgive and take your sin from you so that you won't continue in it and give you His righteous and eternal life instead. He will and is waiting. What are you waiting for?
In reality, this is like a death bed confession and funeral – yours! By virtue of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ you are confessing all known sin to God as one who desires to have a clear conscience.
By being as thorough as you can (no secrets, no excuses), you recognize God is comparing His complete record of all your sin (things contrary to God's law) to the genuineness of your confession. So be honest and don't be in a hurry.
God will know if you’re sincere. Don't hold anything back, seek to cover it up, or put a favorable spin on it. God already knows and is waiting for you to take responsibility for it.
You are giving consent to God to take your life and replace it with His. You are giving consent to being placed by God into Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
You are seeking to be rescued from the life of sin and therefore repenting of your life so that you can be given the life of Christ. His life becomes your new identity: "A new creature in Christ."
Ask God to give you His life in exchange for yours and you’ll become what Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be: Born again. It is here that you enter into a personal, life-giving and life-changing relation-ship with God, not a new religion.
This is a spiritual transaction that brings death to your old way of life and replaces it with Christ's holy life. You're given a new spirit, a spiritual new birth - Christ's life and Spirit in exchange for yours.
Think of it this way. God spiritually takes you back to Calvary’s cross, places you into Christ's crucifixion and death, but also raises you in newness of Christ's life - a regenerated, resurrected life!
In that transaction your sinful past, present and future are buried with Jesus. But that's not all! Because your sins have now been paid for, He can raise you (spiritually) in newness of life: Jesus’ life!
Your sinful mortal life is exchanged for Christ’s righteous and eternal life: You’re born again! You’ll know because your life will be changed. Others will know too. Do you believe God can do this? Then ask.
All this is by faith, not by joining and keeping religious laws or ceremonies or good deeds. Only Christ, by faith can accomplish the new birth:
"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:Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Jn 1:12-13.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesian 2:8-10.
How does one become born-again and receive a new past that brings forgiveness for and freedom from sin, a powerful new present to live as God intended for you to live, and a hope-filled future? Repent. Believe. Ask. Receive.
Friend, it doesn't matter how good or bad you've been or are. It doesn't matter what religion you are or were. What matters is that you believe and receive the gospel before you leave this life.
Are you ready? Now you know what to do. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved". Talk to God like He's in the room - He is!
You can learn more about how to study the Bible here.
If You'd Like to Know Even More, Keep Reading
Below is a brief outline of some steps to being saved (rescued, redeemed) from the life you presently know to the one God desires for you (saved and sanctified):
Realize.
Sin is an offense against God’s holy and just laws. We are all guilty and our sins separate us from the family of God. We’ve sinned against eternal God, and the penalty is eternal damnation.
Except you repent of your sin, cry out to God for mercy, and receive forgiveness from God, you cannot enter Heaven, but will instead spend eternity burning in Hell: God offers no other option!
You cannot save yourself. Jesus took your place in both fulfilling God’s law for you, and paying the penalty for the sins (crimes against God) you committed.
Realize that no religion can save or serve as an alternative to Jesus Christ, since all of mankind comes from one man, Adam. He sinned, and in doing so, passed sin and death upon all men.
Only Jesus can remedy the sin condition (Rom. 5:6-12, 17-21, 1 Cor. 15:20-22, 45-49, John 14:6, 1 Tim. 1:15, 2:3-6, 1 John 1:6-2:2).
Believe that Jesus is God, became a man, died for your sins, was buried, and that He was raised from the dead, proving He alone was God. In Him alone the penalty for sin was paid in full and accepted by God (Romans 3:10, 23, 5:8-12, 6:23, 10:9-13, Acts 17:30-31, John 3:3-7, Heb. 10:10-14).
Repent.
Take responsibility for your sin and ask God to forgive you and deliver you from it, no longer desiring to live in disobedience to God.
Acknowledge that neither your religion nor good deeds can earn salvation: It is a gift offered by the grace (unmerited favor) of God, meant to glorify God.
Be willing to turn from your sinful ways and lifestyle, and humbly turn to God in faith asking Him to lead and conform you to His ways.
Understand that you are turning from and forsaking an unrighteous life, and turning to a righteous life, empowered by God’s Holy Spirit: A new “birth” producing a new life (John 3:1-12, Acts 17:30-31, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, Romans 8:1-16, 1 Pet. 1:2-5, 18-23).
Request.
You are seeking to be “rescued” from the sin you cannot deliver yourself from and admitting you need God’s help! Think of someone drowning who cannot swim and save themselves. The call out for help!
Acknowledge to God that you cannot save yourself through good deeds, religious affiliations, baptism, communion, or anything else.
Then put your complete faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (He is God who became a man, shed His blood, and died on Calvary’s cross, in your place, to pay the penalty for your sin).
Believe sincerely that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead (proving He is God) and humbly admit that you are a sinner, then ask Jesus Christ to have mercy, forgive you, and save you from sin.
Request that He give you His gift of righteousness and eternal life in exchange for your sinful and selfish life. You will never regret the day you do this although you might presently fear doing so. Take courage.
Jesus alone can save. wants to save you, and will when you believe and ask Him to! He'll do the rest.
(Luke 18:9-14, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 2:16-21, Titus 3:5-8, 2 Pet. 3:9).
Receive.
Upon confession of your sins to God and inability to reconcile to God by your own merit, turn from your sin (forsaking it), turn to Jesus Christ and by faith trustingly receive Him as Lord and Saviour.
The Bible says you will freely receive the gift of forgiveness for sins and freedom to no longer be ruled by sin (pardon and purity). You'll also be reconciled to and in a life-giving relationship with God (peace).
Christ’s Holy Spirit now indwells the new born believer to empower and influence joyful obedience to the God's word and ways found written in the Bible.
Just as you had a physical birth, now, upon repentance and believing faith, you receive a new, spiritual birth: You’re born again just as the Lord Jesus (God) promised (John 1:12-14, 3:3-7,16, 36, 6:37, Romans 5:1-10, 6:1-5, 23, Titus 1:1-3, 3:5-8, 1 John 1:6-10, 5:10-13, 19-21).
In Christ, you receive the forgiveness for sin, and freedom from sin. You have a new past, present and future: Christ's (2 Cor. 5:17, 21, Gal. 2:20).
Respond.
Rejoice in your salvation! Pray and read your Bible every day and obey what it says. Allow the Lord Jesus Christ to make the changes He desires in your life, and go tell others! Join a local Bible-believing church. (1 John 2:1-6, 3:1-3, Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:6-11, 18-21, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Ephesians 4:11-16).
You can get more assistance or information by contacting our ministry using the form below:
Realize.
Sin is an offense against God’s holy and just laws. We are all guilty and our sins separate us from the family of God. We’ve sinned against eternal God, and the penalty is eternal damnation.
Except you repent of your sin, cry out to God for mercy, and receive forgiveness from God, you cannot enter Heaven, but will instead spend eternity burning in Hell: God offers no other option!
You cannot save yourself. Jesus took your place in both fulfilling God’s law for you, and paying the penalty for the sins (crimes against God) you committed.
Realize that no religion can save or serve as an alternative to Jesus Christ, since all of mankind comes from one man, Adam. He sinned, and in doing so, passed sin and death upon all men.
Only Jesus can remedy the sin condition (Rom. 5:6-12, 17-21, 1 Cor. 15:20-22, 45-49, John 14:6, 1 Tim. 1:15, 2:3-6, 1 John 1:6-2:2).
Believe that Jesus is God, became a man, died for your sins, was buried, and that He was raised from the dead, proving He alone was God. In Him alone the penalty for sin was paid in full and accepted by God (Romans 3:10, 23, 5:8-12, 6:23, 10:9-13, Acts 17:30-31, John 3:3-7, Heb. 10:10-14).
Repent.
Take responsibility for your sin and ask God to forgive you and deliver you from it, no longer desiring to live in disobedience to God.
Acknowledge that neither your religion nor good deeds can earn salvation: It is a gift offered by the grace (unmerited favor) of God, meant to glorify God.
Be willing to turn from your sinful ways and lifestyle, and humbly turn to God in faith asking Him to lead and conform you to His ways.
Understand that you are turning from and forsaking an unrighteous life, and turning to a righteous life, empowered by God’s Holy Spirit: A new “birth” producing a new life (John 3:1-12, Acts 17:30-31, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, Romans 8:1-16, 1 Pet. 1:2-5, 18-23).
Request.
You are seeking to be “rescued” from the sin you cannot deliver yourself from and admitting you need God’s help! Think of someone drowning who cannot swim and save themselves. The call out for help!
Acknowledge to God that you cannot save yourself through good deeds, religious affiliations, baptism, communion, or anything else.
Then put your complete faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (He is God who became a man, shed His blood, and died on Calvary’s cross, in your place, to pay the penalty for your sin).
Believe sincerely that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead (proving He is God) and humbly admit that you are a sinner, then ask Jesus Christ to have mercy, forgive you, and save you from sin.
Request that He give you His gift of righteousness and eternal life in exchange for your sinful and selfish life. You will never regret the day you do this although you might presently fear doing so. Take courage.
Jesus alone can save. wants to save you, and will when you believe and ask Him to! He'll do the rest.
(Luke 18:9-14, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 2:16-21, Titus 3:5-8, 2 Pet. 3:9).
Receive.
Upon confession of your sins to God and inability to reconcile to God by your own merit, turn from your sin (forsaking it), turn to Jesus Christ and by faith trustingly receive Him as Lord and Saviour.
The Bible says you will freely receive the gift of forgiveness for sins and freedom to no longer be ruled by sin (pardon and purity). You'll also be reconciled to and in a life-giving relationship with God (peace).
Christ’s Holy Spirit now indwells the new born believer to empower and influence joyful obedience to the God's word and ways found written in the Bible.
Just as you had a physical birth, now, upon repentance and believing faith, you receive a new, spiritual birth: You’re born again just as the Lord Jesus (God) promised (John 1:12-14, 3:3-7,16, 36, 6:37, Romans 5:1-10, 6:1-5, 23, Titus 1:1-3, 3:5-8, 1 John 1:6-10, 5:10-13, 19-21).
In Christ, you receive the forgiveness for sin, and freedom from sin. You have a new past, present and future: Christ's (2 Cor. 5:17, 21, Gal. 2:20).
Respond.
Rejoice in your salvation! Pray and read your Bible every day and obey what it says. Allow the Lord Jesus Christ to make the changes He desires in your life, and go tell others! Join a local Bible-believing church. (1 John 2:1-6, 3:1-3, Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:6-11, 18-21, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Ephesians 4:11-16).
You can get more assistance or information by contacting our ministry using the form below: