WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
October 14, 2001 AM
Sermon Outline
Acts 16:30
INTRO: The questions that is the title of this lesson is two thousand years old. What must I do to be saved? Unfortunately, the answer one receives may not be accurate. In the religious world answers to this question vary ... and are often in conflict with each other. How tragic. The most important question one can conceive ... and there is no universal answer. Confusion! Yet, careful study of the New Testament does provide the answer God wants us to have. Lets address some aspects of this crucial question for a little while.
I. TO BE SAVED ONE MUST RECOGNIZE HE IS LOST
A. Im O.K., Youre O.K.
1. this idea pervades thinking today
2. if its true, then lost is not a relevant word
3. but, then, neither is saved
4. everything is O.K. - no problem
B. But is everything O.K.?
1. not according to what scripture says
2. Rom 3:23 with Eph 2:1 with Col 2:12,13
3. this sounds very problematic to me ... scripture does not recognize the Im O.K.; youre O.K. idea
4. Acts 11:12-14 here was a man whom scripture identifies as an exceptionally good man (10:2) ... who was obviously not saved even in his goodness; and if one is not saved, he is lost
II. TO BE SAVED ONE MUST HAVE BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION
A. Why? Because there are so many diverse answers!
1. so, we simply must go to the Source
2. the manuals, disciplines, creeds of today are not dependable for this instruction
3. over years of time, beliefs and ideas have evolved away from scriptural teaching
B. Note 2 Tim 3:15 ... here is one great reason for scripture
1. Rom 1:15,16
2. scripture is the inspired revelation of truth
3. and the great news is that you really can understand its instruction
C. What do we find in scripture? For example ...
1. Acts 16:30 believe on th Lord Jesus
2. Acts 17:30 repent of sins, past self will
3. Acts 22:16 be baptized
4. the instruction is simple, forthright
5. but, you ask why are these instructions different?
6. simple: in scripture each person is answered in keeping with where he is - for example - Acts 2:38 ... no word about belief ... but already they are believers, etc.
III. AND TO BE SAVED THAT INSTRUCTION MUST BE APPLIED
A. At Acts 16:14,15 she attended unto ...
1. not in one ear and out the other
2. we absolutely must do something with the instruction
3. we must take the instruction very personally ... this is not a generic message for others
4. each of us must act on the instruction
B. Notice Acts 16:30-33
1. instruction led to personal action!
2. this lost man became a saved man
3. his being saved hinged on the application of the instruction
4. in scripture this is always the case
C. Still, Acts 24:24,25 - People make their choices!
1. here is a lost man who knows hes lost
2. but he rejected the offer ... he did not apply the message ... for whatever reason
3. and he remained lost
4. too often this is the case
CLOSE: What must I do to be saved? Of all the questions you will ask, none will be as important as this one. What are you going to do with the answer?
Cecil A. Hutson
14 October 2001