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"Salvation -
What's It All About, Anyway?" |
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INTRO: Computer salvation; saving over and over again. Acts 16:30b What must I do to be saved? Saved or Salvation come from the Greek words sozo and soteria; these have three main meanings in clssical Greek: to escape destruction, to be healed, to be rescued from death. Saved is used over 90 times in the N.T., salvation 46 times. The concept of salvation is therefore very important to the New testament writers. The majority of use is in connection with God's deliverance through faith in his son, Jesus Christ. There are four foundational truths about salvation: 1) Salvation is one of the main purposes of God in the Bible: Luke 19:9-10 (Jesus to Zachaeus) Today salvation has come to this house... {10} For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. John 14:6-7 (Jesus to Thomas) I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 2) Jesus is an essential part of God's plan of salvation Acts 4:12 (Peter to the crowds) There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. 3) God uses people in bringing about salvation: 1 Cor 9:22 (Paul) To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 4) Salvation may be refused: Mat 10:14 (Jesus) If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.
Saved from what? 1) From the penalty of sin (death) James 5:20 ...whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul (psyche) from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 2) From the wrath of God Rom 5:9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 3) From the power of evil and disease 2 Tim 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, {3} who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. 4) To an eternal life - to restoration, revival, resurrection John 11:25-26 (Jesus to Martha) I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, {26} and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die... Saved When? 1) In our past: Titus 3:4-5 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, {5} he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 2) In our present: 1 Cor 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 2 Cor 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 3) In our future: John 14:2-3 In my Father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. What Happens When One is Saved? 1) You are removed from the Dominion of Darkness to the Kingdom of Jesus Col 1:13-14 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, {14} in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 2) You become justified before God, able to boldly approach him with a clear concience Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 3) You undergo spiritual birth, and become a spiritual babe John 3:7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 4) You begin a journey to perfection 2 Cor 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.
5) You will never die John 3:14-15 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, {15} that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 6) This is only the beginning - you become eligible for the baptism of power, healing, the spiritual gifts, the fruit of the spirit, and the signs which follow believers. Gal 5:22-23, 1 Cor 12:1, Mark 16:17 Essential factors that lead to salvation: 1) The preaching of Christ crucified: 1 Cor 1:18,27 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ... But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 2) God's grace, or "unmerited favor": Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- {9} not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (There's nothing you can do to deserve it, yet it's not cheap.)
3) Human repentence: 2 Cor 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief ... {10} For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. 4) Belief and faith in the risen Jesus Christ Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.... 5) Endurance until the end: Mat 10:21-22 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; {22} and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 6) The intercession of Christ: Heb 7:25 [Jesus] is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. John 17:11 (Jesus' prayer) And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. What must you do to be saved? 1) It all begins with acknowledging that you are out of fellowship with God, and that you desire reconciliation. You realize that the only way of reconciliation is through Jesus. Like the thief on the cross, you tell Jesus, "Remember me, Lord, when you come into your Kingdom." 2) Jesus will say to you, "This day you will be with me in paradise." It will be the first day of the rest of your life. God's grace will extend to you, and a place will be prepared for you. You don't believe this because you read it in the Bible, you believe it because you have faith in Jesus' ability. "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 3) Then you must respond by living for Jesus instead of for the devil, the world, or yourself. You must repent and then change. You must turn your life around. And Jesus will help you every step of the way. Remember, as you strive in the faith, he looks upon the intention of your heart. Your intention is more important than the rightness of your actions.
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