"The Roman Road To Salvation"

1. The first stop on the Road to Hope is Power.

There is a power capable of giving you hope. The Bible tells us God has that Power.

Romans 1:16 says "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for every one that believeth"

2. The second stop on the Road to Hope is Change.

The release of God's power results in change. The biblical word for change is repentance. This means allowing God to change the direction of our lives.

Romans 2:4 says "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance"

Why is change necessary?

A universal problem the Bible calls sin makes change necessary for all of us.

Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"

Sin means "missing the mark." It is failing to meet God's standard for how we ought to live.

3. The third stop on the Road to Hope is God's Love.

Although He is not pleased with us as we are, God loves us and wants to help us.

Romans 5:8..."But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

Unfortunately, our sin carries the penalty of death, both physical and eternal.

Romans 6:23..."For the wages of sin is death..."

God is willing to forgive us by accepting Jesus as our substitute. His death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin. His resurrection from the dead provides our eternal life.

"...but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

4. The fourth stop on the Road to Hope is Your Committment.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9,13)

Committment means to:

• Repent-Turn away from sin to follow God's new direction
  for your life
• Believe-Trust Jesus as your substitute
• Confess-Acknowledge Jesus as the supreme authority
  over your life
• Call-Ask Him for forgiveness, eternal life, and hope

Read the following prayer and see if it expresses the desire of your heart.

"Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. Because I have sinned and need forgiveness, I ask Jesus to come into my heart. I am willing to change the direction of my life by acknowledging Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and by turning away from my sins. Thank You for giving me forgiveness, eternal life, and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Use this prayer if it expresses your feelings, or pray a similar prayer in your own words, committing your life to Jesus and asking Him for His gift of eternal life.
 

But that's not the end; You are assured of eternal life and hope because:

• Unlike the world, you can trust God's promise.
  • "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). Did you sincerely ask Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior? Where is He right now? What does God's Word promise?
• You are a member of God's family.
  • "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16)
• Your life is eternally secure in God.
  • "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

What happens now..after you have Received this Hope from God

• You will begin to live for God (Romans 12:1-2,9-19)
• You will publicly profess your faith by being baptized
  (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 3:21; Romans 6:4)
• You will want to share with others what Jesus has done for you (Romans 10:14)
• You will get to know God better through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians as a member of a local church

Right now, however, the most important thing you can do is contact someone, perhaps someone at a local church near you, to whom you can share this experience. This person will be able to help you get started down your new life in Christ.

If you have no one else to call, we at First Baptist Church would be more than happy to lead you to an assurance of your eternal salvation and to help you get started on your New Life in Christ. Please call (940) 864-2581.