Series: Foundations

C.R. 2-20-22

“Salvation”

Text: Acts 16: 25-31

Intro: As I started preparing the series Foundations, I wrote down a few subjects that I wanted to concentrate on. Last week we looked at scripture. It is the anchor to all we do. We base all that we do out of the scriptures, including the subject that we will discuss today, and that is Salvation.

If you were asked “what is salvation”? what would be your response? In my study over the last few days I have discovered that there is a world of answers to that, depending on who you ask. Today, we will unpack what we believe about salvation. Where does this church stand on salvation?

Let me begin by reading to you a definition of salvation, and then we will do some unpacking. (read definition)

The first thing I would have us notice about Biblical Salvation is..

1) Its Free
a. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
b. I feel very, very comfortable in telling you that salvation is not earned. It is a free gift.
c. In all religions except Christianity salvation is achieved by some kind of human effort.
d. I fear that too many people say that it is free, but don’t act that way.
e. Notice Paul never instructed the jailer to do a work, to be baptized, to attend church, etc. (Also the thief on the cross).
f. Many of us heard it taught that it was free, but then were given a long list of do’s and don’ts.
g. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous. It is a gift for the guilty.
h. The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life”?
i. Many have added to salvation, the Bible does not. It is a free gift of grace.
j. In the Reformation there is what we call The 5 solas. The five solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation that emphasized the distinctions between the early Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. The word sola is the Latin word for “only” and was used in relation to five key teachings that defined the biblical pleas of Protestants. They are:1. Sola scriptura: “Scripture alone” 2. Sola fide: “faith alone” 3. Sola gratia: “grace alone” 4. Solo Christo: “Christ alone” 5. Soli Deo gloria: “to the glory of God alone”
k. Sola fide emphasizes salvation as a free gift. The Roman Catholic Church of the time emphasized the use of indulgences (donating money) to buy status with God. Good works, including baptism, were seen as required for salvation. Sola fide stated that salvation is a free gift to all who accept it by faith (John 3:16). Salvation is not based on human effort or good deeds (Ephesians 2:9).
l. We believe in this church that salvation is a free gift offered to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

2) It’s Fruitful
a. We believe that the Bible teaches that when we are saved there is a change that takes place in the life of that individual.
b. A big term for it is Regeneration, or the new birth. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again.
c. You may have heard the term New Creature.
d. 2 Cor: 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
e. Illustrate with Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Dr. Law my hands do things they shouldn’t, my feet go places they shouldn’t, my mouth says things it shouldn’t. etc… Dr. Law “You have a heart problem”. Can you fix it? No, I can only diagnose it. You will have to see Dr. Grace. Dr. Grace said I can fix it and he pulled out the nastiest, filthiest heart, and put in a brand new one.
f. With that new heart and new life there is also the Holy Spirit that is given. We then should see in that new life the fruits of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, gentleness, etc..
g. We have what we call sanctification that begins with regeneration. Set apart to do the work of God.
h. Paul in Philippians says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
i. These works are not a cause of salvation, but an effect of salvation.
j. Salvation by faith alone produces works, but works are not a component in the means of salvation.
k. The person who is saved has come alive to who Christ is, and to his amazing grace and his incredible forgiveness and from that wants to be a part of the work of God. Growing in grace and service and knowledge.
l. Illustrate with Bill and Sue wedding. Now take me home. I still want to see you on the weekend.

3) Its Forever.
a. We also do not teach or believe that if you are truly saved, that you can lose your salvation.
b. John 10: 28-29 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
c. Jude 24. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
d. The most powerful argument for eternal security is Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Our eternal security is based on God’s love for those whom He has redeemed. Our eternal security is purchased by Christ, promised by the Father, and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
e. John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will [a]by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
f. If it was up to me, I would lose my salvation, but it is not. I am not holding on to Him, He is keeping me.

Conclusion: Illustrate Salvation, Regeneration, Sanctification, and Glorification.

2 Timothy 3:15 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute trust and confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness].