Sermon Central
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Part 2 - What Is Salvation? Series
Contributed by Pastor Bruce A. Shields on Jul 7, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon helps simplify what Salvation IS.
The Commission
Part 2 – What is Salvation?
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – www.PS127.org
WELCOME
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INTRODUCTION TO SERIES
God has led me to this series focusing on the Commission of Christ to us. We will examine over the next few weeks true conversion, some parables of Christ, and what exactly we as His followers are supposed to be doing.
Today we are looking at Salvation and what it is.
PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING
SCRIPTURE READING
“For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
”‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’" 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”
INTRODUCTION TO SERMON
WHAT IS SALVATION?
Salvation – Greek #4991 : sõteria = Rescue, Save
In seminary, this term was entitled “Soteriology”, or the study of our salvation.
Salvation – Hebrew #3444 : Yeshooaw = Save, saving. Where we get Joshua.
1. The plan of Salvation is of the Lord.
† Demonstrated with Adam & Eve (Genesis 3:21)
† Demonstrated through sacrifice for sins in the Old Testament
† Illustrated through Jonah (Jonah 2)
† Illustrated through Abraham & Isaac (Genesis 22)
ILLUSTRATED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS WELL
† Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11)
2. There are elements to Salvation NOT steps!
† Steps imply a guarantee of salvation
† Steps imply salvation is a process of your works
† Salvation is a free gift from God offered to all
ELEMENTS TO SALVATION
1. Recognize your need for forgiveness
† This was the point for the Law and 10 Commandments
† God gave the Law to Adam, Adam broke the Law, was penalized as God said he would be, and then given the means to Salvation by God.
† Adam was told by God why he needed this redemption.
† We must recognize that we are already condemned, Jesus said so. He came so that we could be rescued from this condemnation. Once rescued, we help others recognize their need for God’s forgiveness.
2. Ask for forgiveness through confession to the Lord
† We MUST ask the Lord to forgive us.
† Just because you recognize your sin, doesn’t mean you have been forgiven of it.
† You must confess that you are sinful and ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins.
† Without confession, there is no forgiveness.
3. Repent of those sins you’ve recognized
† To be forgiven, we must stop doing that which we have asked forgiveness for.
† We will still sin, but we must not LIVE in that sin.
SLIDE 2
Recognize the sin + Confess the sin + Repent of the sin = Forgiveness
If you leave any part of the equation out, it will not equal forgiveness!
Recognize the sin + Confess the sin + Repent of the sin = Living in sin
Recognize the sin + Confess the sin + Repent of the sin = Living in sin
Recognize the sin + CAN’T Confess the sin + CAN’T Repent of the sin = Living in sin
When you live in sin, you are in a state of unrighteousness, and God cannot hear your prayers, nor can He bless you, protect you and you miss out on all of the benefits of living in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is here and now, and if you are living in sin, you cannot take part of the kingdom!
To prevent living in sin, we must read God’s word, have a relationship with the Lord through prayer and meditation on His word, and listen to the Holy Spirits leading on matters in our life.
When we recognize a sin, we should immediately confess it, ask for forgiveness, repent and be freed from that which is causing us to live in sin & a state of unrighteousness.
We repent, or turn away from that which is sin because we know that whatever is sin causes us to break our relationship with the Lord, and lose our place in the Kingdom of God and all the benefits that come along with it, including our prayers being heard.
You can recognize your sin through other believers, reading of God’s word, as well as revelation from the Holy Spirit.
If you recognize sin, confess it to the Lord asking to be forgiven, repent, or stop doing the sin, then you are forgiven, the Word of God promises that!
