Follow Jesus
God has acted in Jesus Christ to rescue us from sin and death and bring us into life with Him. This is the gospel—and it’s an invitation for you.
God and us
God is the holy, good, loving and just Creator of all things. He made us in His image to know Him, reflect His goodness, and care for His creation. We were made for life in His presence and loving relationship with Him and one another.
But we have turned away from Him. The Bible calls this sin: rejecting God’s rightful rule and choosing our own way. Sin includes the wrong we do and the good we leave undone. It damages our relationships, corrupts our desires, and separates us from God. Because God is holy and just, He does not overlook evil or leave sin unjudged. All of us stand guilty before Him, and no amount of good behavior can erase our wrongdoing or free us from sin’s power. Left to ourselves, we face judgment and death. We need God to do what we cannot do for ourselves: forgive our sins, set us free, and restore us to life with Him.
Read: Genesis 1:26–28 · Romans 3:23 · Romans 6:23
God’s rescue
God did not abandon us to sin and death. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us. Truly God and truly human, Jesus lived the sinless life we have not lived. He revealed the Father’s heart, announced God’s kingdom, and called people to turn from sin and trust in Him.
Jesus willingly went to the cross, bearing our sins and the judgment we deserved so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God. He was buried, and on the third day He rose bodily from the dead, defeating death. He is alive and reigns as Lord. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus opened the way for us to be forgiven, freed from sin’s rule, and restored to life with God.
Read: John 1:1–14 · Mark 1:14–15 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
The cross and resurrection
Jesus’ death and resurrection are the heart of the gospel. His victory answers both our guilt before God and our captivity to sin and death.
At the cross, Jesus bore our sins and the judgment we deserved. We cannot undo our wrong or earn forgiveness, but His sacrifice is sufficient. God’s mercy comes to us through what Jesus has done.
1 Peter 2:24 · Romans 3:23–26
Salvation brings us into a restored relationship with God. Through Jesus, those who were separated from Him are welcomed near. We receive peace with God and adoption into His family.
Romans 5:1–11 · Galatians 4:4–7
Through the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers of evil. Those who belong to Him are brought out of darkness into His kingdom. Sin no longer has the right to rule our lives; His Spirit empowers us to walk in a new way.
Colossians 1:13–14; 2:13–15 · Romans 6:6–14
Jesus rose bodily from the grave and will never die again. Those who trust in Him receive eternal life, and when He returns, He will raise them bodily to live with Him forever. Death will not have the final word: God will dwell with His people in a new creation, where sin, death, and pain are no more.
Hebrews 2:14–15 · 1 Corinthians 15:20–26 · Revelation 21:1–5
Our response
Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith. You cannot purchase it through religious activity, good behavior, or a promise to do better. Jesus has done what we could not do for ourselves.
Repentance means acknowledging our sin and turning from our own way toward God. It is more than regret. We stop defending our sin and come to Him for mercy, willing for Him to change the direction of our lives. You do not need to repair your life before coming to Him.
Faith means trusting Jesus—who He is, what He accomplished through His death and resurrection, and His promise to save. It is more than agreeing with facts about Him. We entrust ourselves to Him as Savior and Lord. Our confidence rests in His faithfulness, not the strength of our feelings.
Read: Ephesians 2:8–10 · Acts 20:21 · Romans 10:9–13
A new beginning
God forgives those who come to Him through Christ and gives them new life. His Spirit lives in believers, helping us know Him, turn from sin, and grow in love and obedience. We become part of His church, learning to follow Him in relationship with other believers.
Following Jesus does not mean every difficulty disappears or that you will never struggle again. Growth is a continuing work of His grace. Baptism, communion, prayer, Scripture, and life with a local church help us live out the faith we have received.
Read: John 1:12–13 · Romans 8:9–17 · Acts 2:38–42
You can come to Him now
You don’t need perfect words or complete understanding to come to Jesus. A prayer can express repentance and faith, but the words themselves do not save us—Jesus does. If this reflects your response to Him, you can pray in your own words or use this as a guide.
God, I confess that I have sinned and need Your mercy. I believe Jesus is Your Son, that He died for my sins and rose again. I turn to You and place my trust in Him as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me and give me new life. By Your Spirit, help me turn from sin and follow Jesus. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.
If you've made the decision to follow Jesus—or if you still have questions—we’d love to listen, pray with you, and help you take your next step.
Let’s walk together
Let us know how we can help. Whether you’re choosing to follow Jesus or working through questions, we’d love to connect personally.
You can also call or text (504) 273-5109 or join us on Sunday.
