Which is more important, the temporal or the eternal?

Victor had it all. He owned the sports car, expensive clothes , a beach house, and more, but over several years, he realized he was still missing something. He tried all sorts of different actvities to satisfy his emptiness, but he still wasn't happy. Then one day his freind invited him to go to church, and Victor decided he would. That Sunday, he heard a sermon about man's inability to earn heaven because it is a free gift from God as Romans 6:23b states," the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." The preacher also revealed to him how sin entered the world through Adam.

Romans 5:12 says," Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men..." He went on and said that because of Adam all of mankind is bound to sin, and that the penalty for sin is death! He quoted Romans 3:23 which states," For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Stunned at his current spiritual condition, Victor sat in the pew and listened intently to see if he could possibly recieve eternal life in heaven. The pastor then shared with the congregation the good news of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for us. Romans 5:8-9 says," But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." page2

He continued to explain the salvation concept by looking up Romans 10:9-10 ," That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Vistor was assured with even more good news when the pastor quoted Romans 10:13," For` whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved`." He read a couple more verses aloud explaining to the people how they should live like a christian after salvation. Romans 12:1-2," I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptible to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be confomed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that goodpage3

and acceptible and perfect will of God." Now victor found what he had been missing all along, a personal relationship with Christ. In that moment he prayed to God. "Dear God, I know that I'm a sinner, and I deserve to go to Hell, but I also know that sent your son to pay for my sins. Lord please forgive me of my sins and give me fellowship with you, in Jesus name, amen." That day Victor knew for certain that,if he were to die, he would spend eternity with christ in heaven because he believed that Christ's death, burial, and resurection paid for his sins. Do you now believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior? If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Pastor Jeremy Hargis or Pastor Greg Wright at Westside Baptist

Church 2299 w. 2000 N. St. George,UT 84770 (435) 656-9055. page4

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