I'm saved - now what?

Life's Greatest Step

• Turning from sin to God
• After this we must follow Him as His word directs
• We've already studied how to be saved
• Now what?
• "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6

Life's Greatest Step

• Saul, later Paul, found the answer
• Ananias helped him and he went on
• God's Word tells how to be saved
• It also tells us how to stay saved

Instructions

• Denominations have rules, regulations
• Codes of conducts for members
• Our best source is the Bible
• We have to follow its teaching
• If we do all will be well

We've been Born Again

• Heaven's our destiny
• Now we also see the reality of our opposition
• Now our enemy will tempt, test and try us
• Don't be dismayed - 1 John 4:4
• God saved us to succeed and be victorious.

This Lesson

• We'll introduce some basic principles
• This can be a support system in your walk
• I have practiced them in my life with success
• There are no shortcuts, no one is exempt
• The way is not obscure but easy to follow 1 Peter 2:21

This Lesson

• Presents introductory truths that everyone needs
• Contains practical advice
• Simple basics to ensure spiritual growth in Christ
• We are not all we will be or can become
• Let's accept the challenge and grow in Him

Now what?

• This is a big question
• We want to live for God
• Sometimes we just don't know where to start
• We'll look at some sound biblical principles
• We'll begin with the scripture and grow    

Bible reading

• One of the most important tools
• Part of our Christian armor (Eph 6:17)
• Vital to our Christian living
• Psalm 19:7-11; 119:11; 1 Peter 2:1-3
• Here are some recommendations

Bible reading

• Read the NT first
• Try to read the Bible in 12 months
• Memorize salvation related verses
• Follow along in your Bible with the Preacher
• This all serves to familiarize you with the Bible

Prayer

• Another vital key; develop a strong prayer life
• Develop a consistent, growing prayer life
• Pray for yourself and for others
• Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-14; 21:34-36
• 1 Thes 5:17; James 5:13-18 (Mat 6:5-13)

Prayer

• Make prayer a daily affair
• Pray with your family
• Develop the ability to pray at length
• Be at church early for prayer
• God hears and answers prayer

Prayer

• Find scriptures on prayer and follow them
• If you're sick obey James 5:13-18
• Let prayer become your friend

Fasting

• Another powerful weapon we have
• Self-control is a must here, the rewards are great
• Helps us to obtain humility, to have power over satan
• Also helps us affect the lives of others - Psalm 35:13, 69:10
• Psalm 109:24, Mat 4:1-11, 9:14-18, 17:14-21, Acts 10:30-33

Fasting

• Simply doing without food
• Fast on a regular basis
• Healthy physically and spiritually
• Occasionally fast longer then a day
• When your pastor calls a fast, do so

Church attendance

• Can't succeed if you aren't faithful
• Should be number-one priority
• Regardless of weather, visiting guests
• Regardless of petty hindrances, be faithful
• Acts 2:41-47, 3:1; Hebrews 10:23-29

Church attendance

• Do not run from church to church
• Attend each regular service
• Attend revival or special services
• Don't attend another when your church is having church
• Participate, sit up front, worship, get involved

Church attendance

• Ignore distractions
• Overlook petty problems
• Let God and His house be the focus
• The center of your life.

Witnessing

• Salvation is life's greatest experience
• Share what you've experienced
• Never be ashamed of it
• Dan 12:3; Mark 16:20
• Acts 1:8; 2:32

Witnessing

• Tell others what Christ has done for you
• Greatest testimony is the life you live
• Teach a Bible study
• Be a Christian in witnessing
• Be friendly to guests at church

Get involved in your Church

• Participate in your church's activities
• Get involved
• Don't let petty problems that come up discourage
• Church work is fun and rewarding
• Take an interest in the Church; help clean, paint...

Get involved in your Church

• Accept responsibility. You are needed
• Find your place and fill it well
• God will open doors of opportunity
• Don't fall into the pit of criticizing
• Support the church in what ever way you can

The happiest people in the world are those involved in a cause bigger than themselves.
God's cause is the greatest in the world.

Your Pastor

• Your spiritual bishop or overseer
• Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7
• Along with other ministers will help feed your soul
• Maturity and edification will come to you
• Ephesians 4:11-14

Your Pastor

• This is God's method of saving people
• God's method of building faith
• Rom 10:14-17; 1 Cor 1:21
• The watchman for your soul
• Eze 3:17-21; Heb 13:17

Your Pastor

• Obedience is a must, as long as it scriptural
• Heb 13:7, 17, 24
• Esteem and honor them 
• Phil 2:25-30; 1 Thes 5:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17-19
• Has a heavenly calling to Preach, don't criticize

Your relationship with others

• Coming to Jesus opens many doors of fellowship
• Relationships are vital to our spiritual, mental well being
• These relationships have to be wholesome and spiritual
• The following points will be helpful

Your relationship with others

• With Sinners - set a proper example
• Provide thing hones - Rom 12:17; 2 Cor 8:21
• Try to win them with your life - 1 Cor 7:13-16
• Conduct yourself with honesty/wisdom - Col 4:5-6; 1 Thes 4:12
• We are the light/salt of the world - Mat 5:13-16; Phil 2:15

Your relationship with others

• Be a Christian at all times in all places
• With Saints
• Christians are the greatest people in the world
• God's people will endear themselves to you
• Many times they are closer than your relatives

Your relationship with others

• It doesn't take long to find out few do not obey
• They profess much and possess little
• Love them, pray for them. Limit your fellowship.
• Becoming too involved will corrupt your spirit
• Choose the best, follow their example

Your relationship with others

• Be an example to others - 1 Tim 4:12-16
• Observe the example of others - Titus 2:1-15; 1 Pet 5:3
• Expand your circle of friends - Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:7
• Become a peacemaker - Mat 5:9; Heb 12:14
• Practice the conduct of a believer - Rom 12:9-21

Living for God is beautiful, exciting, and rewarding both now and eternally.

Follow these biblical guidelines

• They'll spare you many hurts and pitfalls
• We've left many areas untouched
• Personal study, experience, guidance of your Pastor
• All help you overcome, along with help from God