IT DOES REALLY MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT SALVATION
September 11, 2005 AM
Sermon Outline
ACTS 4:8-12
INTRO: When the angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph to tell him of the son which would be born to Mary, he said, And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21). To shepherds watching over their flocks and angel said, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Lk 2:11). Few subjects, if any, could be more timely and significant than the subject of salvation. While I acknowledge that there are many subjects which press upon us daily, not a single one of them is as ultimately vital as this one. And it really does matter what you believe about salvation.
I. WHAT SOME MAY BELIEVE
A. That there is no life after death...
1. so, the subject of eternal salvation would be a non issue
2. to believe this one must reject everything the Bible reveals ... and the great longing of human hearts
3. if they are right, I will have lost nothing - but if I am right to believe...!!!
B. That there is no hell...
1. so, the worst that happen is that I would cease to exist
2. Mt 5:29,30 - Jesus certainly believed in hell - and talked about it
3. or Rev 20:15 - I wonder what that lake of fire is?
C. That God will save everyone...
1. after all He is a loving God; how could he not save everyone?
2. Mk 16:15,16 - what are we to understand by ...shall be damned?
3. or, 2 Pet 3:9 - why should anyone come to repentance if all are saved?
D. That one is saved by faith alone...
1. all you have to do is believe and say the sinners prayer
2. belief in Jesus Christ is absolutely essential ... no doubt about that
3. Jas 2:24 - a clear explanation of justifying faith ... obedient faith (this helps us understand such passages as 1 Pet 3:21)
II. THE SCRIPTURES TELL US...
A. That Jesus sacrificial death provides the atonement for sin
1. Rom 3:24,25 - the blood of Jesus was shed at the cross of Calvary
2. 1 Jno 4:10 - the magnitude of Gods love is seen in the atonement
3. seeking salvation without the atonement is a vain search
4. Heb 10:26 - rejecting the atonement offered by Jesus death leaves one to face the judgment and fiery indignation ... a no hope situation
B. That cleansing of sin is made possible by Jesus blood
1. Heb 9:22 - here is a Biblical fact which is true because God declared it
2. but Heb 10:4 - the animal blood of old covenant was but a shadow
3. Rev 1:5b - here is the blood which can take away sins
4. some have objected to Christianity on the basis of its bloodiness - but what more valuable offering that ones blood ... Lev 17:11
C. That salvation requires active participation of one seeking it
1. seems to be a great fear that any action makes a works salvation
2. a distinction in scripture: works of righteousness (obedience), works of merit, works described as good works
3. listen carefully to Acts 10:34,35 - this to those seeking salvation - what can worketh righteousness mean?
4. Acts 10:48 - baptism is a work of righteousness - obedience
5. Acts 2:27,38,41 - this was simple obedience to Gods instruction
6. Rom 6:3 explains one of the vital happenings in baptism ... without baptism (active participation) one cannot be in touch with Jesus death
D. That salvation can be forfeited
1. once again, I know this idea is resisted in much of the religious world
2. but scripture is plain on this point - Jas 5:19,20
3. or, 2 Pet 2:20-22 - this of cleansed people who return to the pollutions
4. 2 Tim 4:7,8 - faithfulness throughout ones life to his death is the only way to the crown of righteousness
E. That whether or not you will be saved is a decision you make
1. God has done His part - the atonement has been provided
2. but God cannot and will not make the choice of your response for you
3. Acts 2:41 - about 3000 people made a choice on that day ... but all of the other people who heard the great sermon also made a choice! their choice was to reject the offer of the remission of sins and salvation
4. and you have that very same choice to make now
CLOSE: I rejoice over the 3000 who gladly received the word and were baptized. But I am saddened by the realization that there were many who did not happily receive the word. Lost for eternity. What will your choice be this morning?
Cecil A. Hutson
11 September 2005