God's love includes everyone. . .

Jesus actually did something to make a difference in your life.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise ... but is long-suffering ... not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 "In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and He is equally available to all." Colossians 3:11 L. N. T.    This is the most wonderful truth  In the world - God loves each of us, whoever we are, whatever our lot in life! Everyone of us can say, "I am loved by the Creator God."   God's love does include everyone, but everyone does not experience this love.  Do you have this in your life? The next emphasis tells what God has done that we might all know for ourselves the God of this amazing  love!

Though tragically separated from God ,   God will receive us again and establish personal  relationship with us through our faith in Jesus Christ. . .

Salvation Comes by Faith in Christ "and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 "But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:   That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  Romans 10: 8-11   First  Steps in Salvation   "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves ..." I John 1:8   "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9    "Jesus said unto him, 'I am the way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.'" John 14:6   "But as many as received Him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe in His name." John 1:12 I must admit that I have sinned. I must realize that I cannot save myself by myself . I must acknowledge Jesus Christ as the one who has the ability to bring me back to God.  I must receive Christ by faith as my personal Savior.    Receiving Christ is more than giving mental assent to the truth of Christ, or merely having an emotional experience. To receive Christ means turning from a life dominated by self and sin's control to a life under the direction of Jesus Christ.  People who want to make this turn begin by believing  Jesus has the power to forgive sins and to set us free. To make this change and take the first steps in this new life you must welcome  Jesus Christ and tell him you want him to live in and through your life.  Then daily ask Jesus, your Lord and Savior,  to help you  to become what God wants you to be.  The Holy Spirit will show you God's design and desires for your life.

God's Spirit brings assurance that we belong to Him...

The Witness of the Spirit "The Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit, that we are children of God." Romans 8:16 The "Witness of the Spirit" is more than an emotion we feel, or a voice that we hear. It is an inner confidence that God is faithful, and that He does indeed keep His promise with us! This inward confidence is confirmed by outward change - i.e., a new style of life. As John said: "We know that we have passed form death to life, because we love one another." I John 3:14    Others have  received this witness, you can too ... at a meeting on Aldersgate Street, London, as he listened to one reading Luther's Preface to the Book of Romans:  "... about a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart, through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation: and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." ( John Wesley's Journal, May 24, 1738) For some, this confidence dawns gradually, For other, it is a sudden discovery at the moment of faith. You can have this peace and assurance that you are right with God. The Holy Spirit wants to give you the assured that you are accepted  by  God!

A life completely dominated by God's love is the goal of Christian experience. . .

Complete Love  Jesus said: "... you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48    What kind of complete love does Jesus look for? Matthew 5:43-48 tells us that God's love can be perfected , or brought to full expression in our life.  Jesus spoke of such love when He said: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.' That is the greatest commandment. It comes first. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:37-39 To live in "complete love" does not mean the Christian is free from mistakes or errors in judgment.  God wants to fill every child of God so that person is free  to know and to do God's will. This filling with the love of God prepares and equips the child of God with the Lord's direction, presence, power and purposes.  As the love of God increases, the child of God is able to desire God's best for every individual, and to show God's love in deeds and action.  This love of God is not a physical attraction, nor a mere friendly feeling. It is unending goodwill, that provides God's outreaching love to others, even to the most unlovable.          How can we live a life of complete or perfect love? Paul says, "... the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:5  "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.  By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.  God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.  So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4: 12-17 When the Spirit of God fills us it results in the following change: " The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions    and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.    Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.   Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.   Galatians 5: 18-25 Surrender to the Holy Spirit, brings purity of motive, singleness of purpose, and liberation for a life of love toward God and humankind. It is the power of the  Holy Spirit working within us which enables us to express the love of God in all our relationships and circumstances.  Do you want to be able to life this way?   You were created by God for this purpose.

 

The following questions can help personalize these four emphases. . .

Questions You must Answer  Do I need to receive Christ as my Savior and Lord? Do I need assurance that Christ has accepted me and pardoned me from my sin? Assured that Christ is my Savior, do I need to surrender to the Holy Spirit's control, so as to live in the power of His Love? Following are suggested prayers to be used according to the need represented above. Remember, God is anxious to answer every single prayer. A sincere  attitude is more important than the exact words you use.  Talk to God, tell the Lord what you need. Pray the prayer from your heart, in Jesus' name. To Receive Christ: "Lord God, I confess that I need a Savior.  My life has been dominated by selfishness and sin. I acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation and want to receive Him into my life.  I sincerely ask you, Jesus, to come into my life and help me.   I need you.  I want you be the One who will  lead and direct my life. Take control of my life, turn it around so I can walk in God's ways.  I ask you to begin this now, by forgiving my sin. Take the burden of all my guilt away, give me your power to live God's new life. Jesus I believe you are the One who can do this. I trust you with my life. As evidence of my faith in you, I say "Thank you, Lord" right  now for the new life you have begun in me." To Receive  Assurance: "Lord God, I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. On the authority of your promises given in scripture, I claim the promise that you have forgiven and accepted me. Increase in me the gift of joy as I walk in all your ways. Give me a great and lasting awareness of your love for me. Show me signs of it every day. As evidence of my faith in you, I say "Thank you, Lord" right now for the gift of assurance." To Receive the  Spirit's Control and Guidance: "Lord God, I want your love to fill and direct all of my life. I hold nothing back from you. Set me free from all the things that keep me from a closer walk with you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Anoint my life with your presence and power. I believe you want to give me spiritual gifts and blessings, so I can bless others. I open my life to them now.  I receive all the opportunities you give me so love and to serve.  Give me understanding of your ways and a willing spirit  to daily join my will to your desires and to the actions I see you doing.  As evidence of my faith that what I have asked you will do, I say "Thank you, Lord" for work of the Holy Spirit in my life." Which prayer would you say is the best expresses your own need?  Pray that prayer now. Tell someone that you have taken  this new  step in  faith.  Share what it means to you. Salvation is a life long walk with Jesus! The best way to live for Christ is in fellowship  and community with other Christians. Make a connection with a caring church near you.  If you want to know more about Jesus Christ and your new life with Him, contact  one of the pastor at Stewartstown  United Methodist Church. To grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ study the Bible, pray, practice obedience, worship the Lord, and find a small group that can support you with Christian encouragement. email This information was originally published as "Four Great Emphasis" in 1973 by Tidings, 1906 Grand Ave. Nashville, TN 37203  Adapted and revised  in 2005 by the Stewartstown United Methodist Church and used with permission of (c) Discipleship Resources  Nashville, TN