The Gospel
What It Means to Be a Christian
Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.
God Is Sovereign Creator
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Mankind Is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and Savior
Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
WHAT NOW?
So, You've Heard The Gospel (The Good News of Jesus Christ), But What Do You Do From Here?
Find Out What You Should Do Next, Below.
STEP ONE
BELIEVE
You begin by BELIEVING! Salvation is a gift from God given by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There's nothing you can do to earn it on your own. Your journey with Jesus begins at the moment that you place an obedient faith in who He is and what He has done on your behalf. Upon putting your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God then gives you the special gift of His Holy Spirit to be with you always. The Holy Spirit comes as God's seal upon your salvation. He also comes to lead, guide, and strengthen you for the days to come. Join us at MCF, to learn more about true salvation, The Holy Spirit, and about being baptized as an outward expression of your new found faith in Jesus Christ.
Step 1 Video LessonsJohn 3:16 NASB - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who BELIEVES in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Eph. 2:8 NASB - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 1:13 NASB - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,
STEP TWO
BELONG
Every true believer BELONGS to the spiritual family of God. This spiritual family was intended to help you through life's experiences. It was also meant to serve as a community where you could learn, grow, and contribute to the plans and purposes of God. At MCF, we offer opportunities for both whole group and small (Life) group fellowship. Step two, is to join a local church so that your journey with Jesus can continue with the spiritual family of God! If you're interested in learning more, we offer courses that teach you about the importance of belonging to a church family.
Step 2 Video Lessons1 Cor. 12:27 NIV - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Heb. 10:24-25 NIV - 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
STEP THREE
BEHOLD
The more we BEHOLD Him, the more we become like Him (Jesus). This step is about personally developing the basic habits that are necessary for consistent and enduring spiritual growth. As we learn to BEHOLD Christ in Worship...BEHOLD Him in prayer..and BEHOLD Him in His Word, our lives are touched with a lasting changed. This on-going process of transformation is also known as sanctification. At MCF, we offer various ways for you to continuously BEHOLD the Savior. Join us for worship, prayer, bible-based teaching, and more. Experience liberating life changing power as you gaze upon the glorious splendor of Jesus Christ and His Holy Word! Learn how to consistently grow in your faith through the courses that we offer on this subject.
Step 3 Video Lessons2 Cor. 3:18 NASB - But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
John 17:17 NASB - Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
2 Tim 3:16 NASB - All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
STEP FOUR
BECOME
God created you anew in Christ Jesus to fulfill a specific purpose. He equipped you with a special gift to help you carry that purpose out. One of our goals at MCF, is to help you discover that gift so that you can BECOME all that God intends for you to be. Let us show you how to get active in serving others and spreading the message of Jesus Christ around the world. To learn more about how to discover your spiritual gift and/or about how to actively share your faith with others, join us at, MCF. We would love to show you the way.
Step 4 Video LessonsEph. 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
1 Peter 4:10 NASB - As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.
Matt. 28:19 NASB - Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Believe. Belong. Behold. Become.
Video Lessons