Jesus First

Know | Grow | Show | Go

KNOW JESUS

The first step in putting Jesus first in our lives is to know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. We do this by trusting Jesus with our lives upon hearing the message of the gospel (good news) of Jesus! The Gospel message is simple:
God created us to be with Him.
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."
Genesis 2:7

Originally, God created a world where He and man would be in perfect fellowship, where man could experience God's goodness and provision for all of eternity. In the Garden of Eden, God created man (Adam) and breathed life into his lungs. He created woman (Eve) shortly after from Adam's side.
Our sins separate us from God.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Romans 5:12

In the garden, God gave Adam and Eve one command - do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Together, they both disobeyed this command and ate the fruit of the tree, spreading sin and death to all men.
Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9

All other world religions teach that you can pay for your sin by doing good works, but the Bible teaches that there's nothing we can do in and of ourselves to remove our sin. Our sin has incurred a debt that we cannot pay ourselves. This is the reason why Jesus had to die in our place.
Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
1 Peter 2:24

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
John 11:25

Knowing that our sin couldn't be paid by our good works, Jesus put our sin upon His shoulders and died in our place. He then rose again demonstrating that He alone can raise us from spiritual death, to life.
Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:16-17

Jesus desires that every man and woman would humble themselves, admit their sin, and trust Jesus with their salvation and life. Anyone who trusts Him will have the promise of eternal life, endless joy and perfect peace in heaven with Him.
Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

Jesus doesn't just save us FROM sin, but He saves us FOR a better life. He desires that we live in perfect peace and abundant joy. He desires to walk with us in the trials and triumphs of life. He saved us in order that He can work His will through us. Trust with your life Him today!
Need to talk to one of our pastors about knowing Jesus? Click the button below to get into contact with us.
Contact one of our pastors

Baptism

When we trust Him, Jesus desires that we follow Him in believer's baptism as a public profession of our inward change.
Learn More about baptism

GROW IN JESUS

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Romans 8:29
When we accept Christ, we begin the journey of growing closer to Jesus and becoming more like Him. This often takes place in the context of community. LifeGroups can offer a community that helps us grow in our walk with the Lord. When we gather together in LifeGroups, we can find encouragement and accountability from others who are growing in Christ just like we are.
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SHOW JESUS TO OTHERS

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."
John 13:14-15
As believers, we are called to share Jesus and show His work to the world. We often do this by serving others. At Forest Park, there are many ways to serve and show the love of Jesus to those within the body of Christ and those in our Joplin community.
Serve At Forest Park
On April 12th from 11am-2pm we'll be hosting a big 
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GO SHARE JESUS WITH THE WORLD

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20

As believers, we are called to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). You can be a part of this mission by taking part in a short term mission trip at Forest Park.
Learn More About Missions