Sermon Central
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God Desires All People To Be Saved
Contributed by Bob Soulliere on May 16, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Who does God want saved?
God Desires All People To Be Saved
Key Verse:Matthew 28:19&20 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I. Paul Urges Prayer for Others
A. There is no one whom God’s grace cannot reach. Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for “all men” (1 Tim. 2:1) 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—, having just described how God saved him, “chief “ of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst..
B. He urges prayer also for all in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:2) 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness..
God has ordained political authority for our benefit (Rom. 13:1-7). 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
II. God Is the Only Savior
A. Some are tempted to look to earthly rulers as “saviors” instead of God (1 Tim. 2:3, 5). 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
B. Scripture teaches that no one beside God can truly save us
(Mark 2:7). 7“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Before the incarnation, the angel announced to Joseph that Jesus was going to “save his people from their sins”
(Matt. 1:21). 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Likewise, the virgin Mary sang in the Magnificat, “and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47). These were acknowledgments that Jesus’ primary function for coming into the world the first time was to save man
(John 3:17). 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
C. God’s ability to save is not limited (1 Tim. 2:4, 6). 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.
We must never reduce Him to a human savior who may be either incapable or undesirous of saving.
D. His invitation is to all; He loves all and invites all (John 3:16; 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Matt. 11:28) 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him for salvation (John 6:37). 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
III. God’s Salvation Is Available to All, but Not All Will Accept It
A. In all of creation, only man is made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26) 26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
