The Great Shepherd

THE SALVATION MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST
DISCOVERING YOU ARE A SINNER (like we all are): Realize that you are a sinner, acknowledging it, and
confessing it is the first step. "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one." "For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:10,23)

REALIZE WHO JESUS IS: Next, recognize that Jesus was God made flesh. (and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
amog us...John 1:14) God sent Jesus, to walk in this world and experience all of the same temptations that we do.
Unlike us, Jesus was able to do this without giving in to any temptation, and therefore, He never committed a sin.
Jesus was found blameless. (I find in him no fault at all...John 18:38)

REALIZE WHAT JESUS DID: Knowing that once we are in the state of sin, the consequence of sin is death. God in
His mercy ("For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16) provided us with Jesus to die in our place so we could be spared from
this consequence. (...through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [an
atoning sacrifice] Romans 3:23-24). Realize that Jesus died upon the cross to save you from sin. "The wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23).

SURRENDER & ACCEPT: Once you come the the realization of Jesus' purpose and sacrifice, the act of surrendering
to Him is more simple than it sounds. Admitting that I can do nothing to accomplish my own salvation, but Jesus has
already done everything to accomplish it is the first step. At this point deciding in our heart to turn our lives over for
Him to control, guide and direct is acceptance and invitation for Jesus to take control of our lives. This event is
referred to as conversion and is considered the point in one's life where they were saved (from their sins and the
eternal punishment for those sins). Although this event is an internal submission to Jesus Christ, many new believers
offer a prayer that incorporates all of these realizations into a conversation with God.

PRAY: A model for this prayer often includes the following: LORD: I repent and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God. I believe Jesus died for me, as my substitute, and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. Lord Jesus,
thank you for taking my place, and paying my debt in full. I believe that You suffered the penalty for my sins, and
You paid the full price to clear my debt. Your Precious Blood, sinless and Divine, pays for all of my sins. I ask Your
forgiveness, and I now receive You into my heart. So from this moment I trust entirely in what You did for me on the
Cross. It is enough. Nothing can ever improve my salvation. Help me to follow You, and share this wonderful news
with everyone. Please take control of my life and guide and lead me in living a life that reflects You in all that I do.
Thank You Lord for my full salvation.

REPENT: In acknowledging you are a sinner, you asked for forgiveness. Now you need to act on that desire to steer
clear of sin. You need to be willing to repent of your sins. Jesus said, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish. Luke 13:3. What does repent mean: Turn away from... your old self, your old ways, your sins.
Recognizing we are all sinners, seeking forgiveness and repenting are not only initial events in your salvation, they
will become an ongoing application in your life as the Holy Spirit convicts you of areas in your life in need of
repentace and growth.