Welcome! For the first part of the story, check out our Good Friday and Easter pages.

Good News - the Gospel (continued from the above pages)

Saved from Death to Life

 

(Knowing God Personally)

Everyone who believes in Jesus and follows him as Lord, God, and Savior, is no longer separated from God. We can talk with God, and he encourages this: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7 NIV)

When we believe in Jesus and follow him as Lord, we become part of God's family. God calls us his children, and Jesus calls us his friends and brothers and sisters. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

(Getting to Know God More)

We get to know God and ourselves better and understand how God wants us to live by reading the Bible (also called Scripture), which is God's words to us. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Tim. 3:16)

God also teaches us through the Holy Spirit, whom he gives us when we believe in him. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)

(Living Life as God Wants)

When we believe in Jesus, we accept him as Lord. That means we need to obey what he says. Here are Jesus's words about what is most important: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matt. 22:37-39 NIV) Jesus also says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15 ESV)

God does not intend for us to do everything on our own. His enemy, our enemy, Satan (the devil) is fighting against us, and our own human nature fights against us, too. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) God is more powerful, and he is with us and he is for us. God helps us through his words (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit, but we also have a responsibility to be active in trying to do what is right.

To live the way God wants us to, we need other people with the same desire to love and obey God to help us - and they need us to help them, too. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another [...]" (Heb. 10:24-25 NIV)

Questions?

To find out more about God, Jesus, the Bible, or anything written here, email pastorpete@ebcnorfolk.org or call 508-528-5862. Pastor Pete and others at Emmanuel would love to talk with you. You can also read more on our website here: AboutMission & Values.