The Journey Begins

 The role of the church is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, which encourages people to receive and experience salvation. The local Church is responsible for reaching all those who are lost or have lost their way. 2nd Peter 3:9 Says: “God is not willing that any should perish but that all people would come to repentance”. God wants all people to repent, change their minds and turn away from sinning. John 3:16 Says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have everlasting life”. God’s inclusive call to repentance is made to all humanity. Matthew 28:19 Says: “Go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples of all people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Jesus instructs his disciples to make more disciples of all people from every ethnicity on earth. The mission of the local church is to evangelize, making disciples. So, with becoming a disciple the first question is? How can I become saved?  Romans 10:9 Says: “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”. Salvation involves disciples witnessing, with the persuasion of all others to believe on Jesus Christ, and in repentance to change their minds, causing them to turn from sinning to God. And to become obedient in making a public confession and declaration of their faith through the act of baptism. Baptism does not save you, but it is a faith in the saving grace of a risen savior Jesus Christ, that imputes righteousness to all believers. As in Adam, sin was imputed to all humanity and all people are born guilty of sin and transgression. So, it is with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and through faith in his saving grace, that we are saved, as a gift from God, and asking God to allow the Holy Spirit to come and fill you on the inside that gives you power to become the sons of God. Because of faith, the believer is made righteous with GOD based on the obedience of Jesus, who gave his life as a substitute and atonement for the sin of the world. Example:  I came to hear the gospel preached, and realized that I was a sinner, and I needed salvation, so I prayed to God and asked God to forgive me of all my sins, Jesus came into my life and God saved me and filled me with his Holy Spirit. I was saved by faith so, I decided to be baptized publicly by obedience of His command. Now I have received his salvation and am eager to become a dedicated follower of Christ, his disciple. My life will never be the same. I want everyone to experience God, and his power in their lives. How do I encounter God with starting a personal relationship? I pray to God and ask him to fill me with his Holy Spirit. I encountered God because the Holy Spirit revealed who God was to me. The Holy Spirit filled me, and my life has never been the same. Everything begins with your prayer.  Talking with God in prayer is communication with God, asking God to answer you and communicate with your hearing God, and what He has to say to you, as you are praying. Are you listening to hear what God is saying when you pray? What is prayer?  Prayer is making a request known to God for help, or to make an expression of thanks. Prayers are made individually, or with other believers. With a personal solemn request or to make or have others pray for you. Prayers are often made in public but encouraged to be made in private. Talking with God is part of prayer, however listing to God speak to you is allowing yourself to hear God speaking, this begins a conversation with God. There can be no relationship without communication with God. This can only become a reality with the aid of the Holy Spirit becoming present in your life. So, ask God to fill you with his Hoy Spirit, he is only a prayer away.