Hello, My name is Larry Reinecke, and I am the pastor of FBC North Houston. In this section of our website, I would like to share with you two very important aspects of our faith at FBCNH. These deal with (1) Salvation; and (2) Church Membership. You will find a section on Baptism under the What we Believe page.
As you read, I pray that you will carefully examine your own personal need regarding Salvation and Church Membership. (1) Salvation
We live in a world of despair and turmoil. The Bible, however, has the answer for those who are seeking security in an insecure world. God’s Word can give us the security we seek because of the power that is found in His Word. Can people in today’s world have hope? Yes! But hope is only available through a relationship with God. One of the ways that I like to share this hope is by using the acrostic ROSE.
Relationship is more important than Religion God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. The proof of His desire can be seen in His greatest Commandments: Matthew 22:37-40.
One Way to have a Relationship with God - Jesus There is only one way to have a Relationship with God; it is through His Son, Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the Way, The Truth and the Life; no man comes unto the Father except through Me.”
Sin Separates Us from God – Salvation sanctifies us You cannot have a Relationship without dealing with the Issue of Sin. God’s power is available and it can result in a life of change for those who are willing to seek Him. There are those who would question the need to change. But the Bible is very clear as to why there must be a change in our lives. Sin makes change necessary. And, to be sure, sin affects every one of us. Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Sin earns death, but God gives life.
Romans 6:23 -For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The way to receive God’s salvation is to Confess, Repent, Believe, Call.
Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:13 - for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
God still loves us in spite of our sin. God is a holy God and the life of sin cannot stand in His Presence. So, for this reason, God made a Provision for our sin. Romans 5:8-But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Eternal Life begins at Salvation
When we deal with the Sin Issue by Accepting Jesus Christ, Who is God’s Only Son, He gives us Eternal Life
Acceptance of Christ is more than just saying the right words about Jesus; it is making Him the Lord or Boss of your life. Repentance involves turning away from your sinful lifestyle. A sinful lifestyle is anything that does not put Christ first.
Believing in Jesus is more than just believing facts about Jesus; it is giving Him your best for the rest of your life.
Calling on Him is the way to have hope and security in a world of turmoil and despair. And it is as simple as calling on Him as the only means of salvation available.
If you would like to experience this hope and peace, and the joy that comes from a true relationship with Jesus Christ, then you can pray a Prayer of salvation like this:
A Prayer of Salvation:Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness for my sin. I know that Jesus is Your Son and that He died on the cross as the substitute for my sin, and that He was buried. I also recognize that He was resurrected on the third day as proof of your great love. I here and now turn away from and repent of my sins and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for giving me forgiveness, eternal life and hope. Amen
If you have prayed a prayer of salvation, and you truly mean it from your heart, you can be assured of your place in the Family of God. And, in addition, you can have the assurance that nothing can take a real salvation experience away from the one who belongs to Jesus. Romans 8:16-17 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you have made a decision for Christ as a result of this message please let me know by contacting us at First Baptist Church North Houston. 4422 Lauder Road, Houston Texas, 77039 – Phone 281-449-7201.
Once an individual has followed through with step #1; Step #2 becomes a priority.
(2) Church Membership
With Salvation, you now have hope. Because you have this hope, if you have truly given you life to Christ Jesus, it is important for you to take steps that will help you to grow as a disciple of Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
True faith can be seen in a life lived for God. A good way to start living for God is by publicly confessing your faith in Jesus Christ. This is done through the local church. One of the most important things that you can do to assure the ability to grow as a believer is to find a Bible teaching Church to join and become a part of. The church is very special to our Lord. He died to bring her into existence. His love for the church is what gives us hope. The special relationship Jesus has with his church is seen in the terminology the Bible uses to refer to the church. The church is called the Bride of Christ and Christ is the Bridegroom. We are the church. Love has built a bridge between us and God so that we might have a special relationship with Him. One of the most important steps that an individual can take is the step of deciding where he or she will fellowship and worship with other believers. Every believer needs a church home and personal contact with other believers. No one can grow in a vacuum. We need other believers who can love support and help us to grow, and others believers need us as well. You can only have this kind of growth within the local church. Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered, in my Name, I am in the midst." The local church is where "two or more are gathered in His name." And if He (Jesus) is in the midst of such a gathering, why would a true follower of Christ NOT want to be there with other believers.
Allow me to put it another way: You don't have to go to Church in order to become a Christian, but if you are going to successfully LIVE as a Christian, you need a local church home. If you are in the Houston area, and NEED a church home, we would love for you to consider FBCNH.
If these steps have been helpful to you, please contact us and let us know. If possible, we would love to help you as you develop a closer walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you have made a decision for Christ as a result of this message please let me know by contacting us at First Baptist Church North Houston. 4422 Lauder Road, Houston Texas, 77039 – Phone 281-449-7201.
