Learn more about a relationship with Christ and the life that He desires for each of us.

2 Cor. 5:17 - " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
                               old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

I. How to be in Christ?
       1. Well we must first understand the need for Christ in our life.  We (Mankind) are born
            disconnected from God as a result of sin that was initiated in Adam's disobedience to  
            God (Gen.3).  Adam represents all of mankind so as a result of Adam's disobedience
            we all are separated from God when we are born.  1 Cor. 15:22  "For as in Adam all die,
             even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
       2.  Because we are born separated from God due to sin (Gen. 2:17; Psalms 51:5) it is
             imperative to reconnect with God.
       3.  How do we reconnect?
             1.Romans 10:9 teaches us to confess and believe that Jesus the Christ (Son of God)  
                was raised  from the dead by God the father that we would be saved or have salvation.
            2.As a result of Adam's sin, mankind needed a savior to redeem us from the curse which
                is being eternally separated from God the father.  Jesus, the son of God, lived on the
                earth for 33 years and was killed and sacrificed His life on behalf of all mankind.  This
                act of sacrifice enabled mankind to reconnect to God the father THRU the belief that
                Jesus died for us.  Our connection to God is THRU the belief of Jesus. (John 14:6 Jesus
                says, "...I am the way and the truth and the life: no man cometh to the father but by me."
          4.  We are saved?   What are we saved from?
               1.Those who connect with Christ are saved from eternal separation from God.  Spiritual
                  and eternal salvation is granted freely and instantaneously by God to everyone who
                  repents and believes on Jesus Christ. Our salvation begins the moment we repent and
                  believe on Christ as our personal Savior.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that
                  He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
II. OK, I'm now in Christ....what's next?
        1.Strengthen the relationship
              1.Its important that you made that initial step in establishing your connection to Christ
                 but as in any relationship we must commit to strengthen it.  Steps to strengthen your
                 relationship is to:
                     1. Communicate via prayer - Prayer is our way of communicating and talking with
                         God. We must reverence Him in doing so and the more we pray the more we will
                         be comfortable with God. 1 Thes. 5:17 says "pray without ceasing."
                    2.  Read your bible - God has left his instructions and road map to Him through his
                         written word, the bible. The bible teaches us so much about bible History and helps
                         us to understand God's will for us in our life.  The bible will help us to
                             1. Increase our faith in God
                             2. Trust Him with our life
                             3. Live a Holy and Righteous lifestyle
                             4. Be obedient to His Word through the Holy Spirit
                                     •   What is the Holy Spirit?
                                          The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of Godhead.  There is one God who
                                          functions in 3 persons:
                                     •   God the father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14)
                                     •   The Holy Spirit will guide you to all truth (John 16:13)Practice what
                                          you learn - God would have us not only learn of His word but he wants
                                          us to use it. James 2:17 says that faith without works or ACTION is dead
                                          or not effective. 
                    3. Practice MAKES Perfect  - You must practice the life you read about through
                               scripture as it helps to PERFECT us in God.
                                1. Practice pushes us into obedience.  
                                2. Practice helps us to DEPEND on God in our EVERYDAY LIFE!!
                                3. If you don't practice in GOD you will practice the WORLD. (Romans 12:2...be
                                    not conformed to the world..)