We believe the gospel must be central in everything. We should constantly reflect on it and base our lives and ministries around it. We believe that the hope of Shiremanstown and the nations is the gospel, and we desire to be a blessing to the city and to the nations by our actions and our words (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This is because of the great change that the gospel has made in our lives. Our relationship with Jesus compels us to share with others how they can have a relationship with Jesus. This relationship starts a journey of faith, growth, peace and joy. Continue reading to find out more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus and start your faith journey.
how to start your faith journey
God loves us. He wants us to have an eternal relationship with Him.
"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us." 1 John 4:10
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Our own pride and sinful choices separate us from God so that we cannot have a relationship with Him. Ultimately our sin will result in our death and eternal separation from God.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
There is nothing we can do to fix ourselves or our broken relationship with God.
"All of us become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Isaiah 64:6
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
Jesus Christ came to the world to pay the penalty for our sins and mend our relationship with God. He rose from the dead because He is God and has power over death.
"For Christ suffered once for our sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"Jesus said to him, 'I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him." Acts 2:24
In order to start our faith journey, we must personally trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, admit that we are sinners and need forgiveness, and receive Christ and his gift of salvation.
"Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
"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." Ephesians 2:8-9