Confession, Belief, and the Certainty of Salvation: Guiding Others to Transformation"

**Introduction:**

Today, as I stand here in this pulpit, I'm reminded of the war raging over the Atlantic Ocean. A conflict where lives are being lost, including innocent children. The darkness of this war is utterly demonic, and it may be unsettling to witness such events. Yet, as believers, we find reassurance in the Scriptures, as Psalms 83, Ezekiel 38, and Zechariah 12 foretell these very events. Regardless of our eschatological beliefs, one thing is certain in my mind - the end is near.

As I look upon the faces gathered here today, my heart is heavy with the realization that many souls around us are without Jesus Christ. They are on a path that leads to the lake of fire, a place described by Jesus in Matthew 8:12 as a realm of weeping and gnashing of teeth. I think of the words in Revelation 9:6, "And in those days, men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them." My heart aches at the thought that even someone in this room tonight might experience such a fate.

Today, I don't care about our best lives now, self-esteem, or personal development. The only thing that keeps me up at night is the prospect of someone I know and love being cast into the fires of hell, with their memory wiped from the face of the earth, as Psalm 34:16 tells us.

So today, I want to preach a message inspired by an old Baptist preacher, Robert Breaker, whose YouTube video profoundly impacted me three years ago and led to my own salvation.

**Prayer and Reading of the Passage:**

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us here safely today. Lord, we didn't come here just to hear a sermon; we've come seeking your word to touch our hearts. We pray in Jesus' name that you speak through me today, that your Spirit guides my words, and that we fall more deeply in love with the person of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now, let's turn to the Word of God, to Romans 10:9-11.

**Scripture Reading:**

Romans 10:9–11 (NASB95):

"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart, a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth, he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.'"

**Confession, Believe, and Be Saved:**

As we find ourselves in a world that seems to be spiraling out of control, with prophecies unfolding before our eyes, we must ask, where is our refuge? Where is our hope? In times like these, our focus narrows down to the most basic, the most essential truth of all: the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need a faith that stands the test not only in days of peace but also in times of war and tribulation. We need the kind of faith that Paul talks about in the book of Romans.

Now, let's dive deep into the heart of that faith, a faith that carries the promise of eternal salvation. The first cornerstone of this faith is the confession of Jesus as Lord.

**Confess with Your Mouth Jesus Is Lord:**

As we look at the opening verse in today's Bible reading, we see that Paul tells us that we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. The Greek word for "confess" is "Homo-logia," where "Homo" means the same, and "logia" means logic. It means that we must align our logic with God's.

During the time when the book of Romans was written in around 55 AD, the Lord of Rome was Caesar. At that time, citizens, the people of this land, would have confessed lordship to the rulers of Rome. This word "Lord" was always accompanied by a level of divinity, power, respect, and ultimately, ownership.

So, as we look at this command of confessing Jesus as Lord, we understand that it means we are also denouncing everything else that could be a ruler or god in our lives. We commit ourselves to Jesus' lordship, identifying ourselves as sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Many professing Christians know Jesus but don't know Him as Lord. If Jesus is not the Lord of your life, He cannot be your Savior. James 2:19 tells us that even the demons believe and tremble. However, they are destined for a fiery hell. Jesus being the Lord of our lives looks like submission, an understanding of who Jesus is.

1 Corinthians 12:3 says, "Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." A true Christian is born again by the Spirit of God, with new desires and a regenerated nature.

Allow me to share an illustration. Charles Spurgeon once explained regeneration like this: Imagine you have a pig eating slop in a pigpen, rolling in the mud and filth. Through a powerful work of God, that pig is transformed into a king or queen. What do you think that king or queen would do when they find themselves in a pigpen, surrounded by slop? They would run to the shower, clean themselves, and eat proper food from that moment on. They wouldn't go back to the disgusting place and food they once indulged in. This is a picture of the Christian. Confessing Jesus as Lord isn't just a matter of words but a transformation of our hearts, minds, and lives.

**Believe in Your Heart:**

Now, you might be thinking, "I've made that confession; I've said those words, 'Jesus is Lord.' What next?" You see, confession is just one side of

the coin. The Apostle Paul knew that our confession must be rooted in a deep-seated belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. It's one thing to speak a declaration; it's another to believe it so completely that it changes your entire life.

In Romans 10:9, the Greek word for "believe" is "πιστεύω" (pisteuō). This word is often used in the New Testament to indicate a form of belief that is not simply intellectual assent but is deeply personal and involves trust, confidence, and reliance. It comes down to the very essence of who you are. Being fully convinced of this truth and reality that Jesus was raised from the dead, declaring His power over life, death, and sin.

Being convicted fully of this reality is important because:

1. **Death:** Jesus's sacrifice on the cross reveals His dual nature: fully man and fully God. As a man, He could suffer and die, absorbing the penalty for our sins. As God, His death has eternal significance, offering salvation to all of humanity. It's this miraculous union of divinity and humanity that makes our salvation possible.

2. **His Burial:** Jesus's burial confirms the reality of His death, marking the completion of His earthly sufferings. It serves as a critical transition, fulfilling prophecy and setting the stage for the ultimate victory over death: His Resurrection.

3. **The Resurrection:** The Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, for it validates Jesus's claim to divinity. It proves that He is the Lord of both heaven and earth, with power even over sin and death. This miraculous event also underlines His unique holiness, as He alone has conquered death to offer us eternal life.

We must be fully convinced of this reality. This conviction of God's power will lead the believer to new heights of piety and love for their Creator. It will also lead to an oral confession as stated in the first half of Romans 10:9.

**And You Will Be Saved:**

Now that we've delved deep into the power of belief, understanding the resurrection of our Lord, and how these convictions shape our very existence, we arrive at the culmination of our faith journey. As we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we unlock the gateway to a remarkable promise – salvation. So, let's explore the profound truth that lies in the final part of Romans 10:9-11, 'and you will be saved.'

**Assurance of Salvation:**

As we look at Romans 10:9 and it says you will be saved, the tone in the text is unequivocal. Paul is not suggesting salvation, nor is he hoping for a possible gift of atonement for sins. He says it with such clarity and certainty that there's no shadow of doubt about salvation.

Imagine this: You're on a massive cruise ship sailing over the Atlantic Ocean. The waves are so powerful that they're knocking the ship around like a child's toy in a bathtub. You're in your cabin, gripping the sides of your bed in fear for your life, feeling every twist, turn, shudder, and boom, fearing the worst.

But then comes the captain's voice over the intercom, "We will make it through this storm; we will reach the shore and be safe." There's no stutter in his voice; there's no maybe. It's a strong, rich confidence - "We will make it to shore and be safe."

This is the tone in which the Apostle Paul is assuring believers. Upon their confession and belief, this salvation, this glorious work of God, is not a maybe or a possibility - it's a certainty.

**Rebirth and Transformation:**

Consider this: Imagine you've weathered the fierce storm on that ship. The captain's promise held true, and you reached the safety of the harbor. You step off the ship, drenched and battered from the tempest you endured. But something remarkable happens as you set foot on solid ground.

In that moment, you aren't the same person who boarded that ship. The trials of the journey have transformed you. You've learned valuable lessons about trust and perseverance. You've gained a deep appreciation for the solid ground beneath your feet. You're no longer the timid passenger who set sail; you're now a seasoned traveler, forged by the storm.

This transformation mirrors the essence of salvation. When you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart in the resurrection, it's not just a ticket to a safe harbor; it's an entry into a journey of transformation. The storms of life may still come, but your inner self is remade. The old self, battered by sin, is left behind, and a new creation emerges.

Just as you stepped off that ship transformed by the voyage, you step into the Christian life, reborn in faith and transformed by the power of Christ. The old is gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is the assurance of salvation - not only a promise of eternal safety but also a guarantee of inner renewal and transformation.

**We Must Be a Lifeline:**

As we stand here, anchored in the certainty of salvation, we must remember that there are countless others adrift on the sailboats of sin and chaos, tossed by the same storms we've weathered. They're desperately seeking the safe harbor we've found.

Just as the captain assured us that we would be saved from the tempestuous sea, Jesus has given us an even greater promise: that if we confess and believe, we will be saved. It's not a possibility; it's a guarantee.

So, what's our response to this incredible gift? It's not just to rest in our own salvation; it's to extend a lifeline to those still battling the waves. Our job is to share this message, this life-changing truth, with those who are lost at sea, to reach out to them with the assurance of salvation and the hope of transformation.

Imagine if, as you were on that ship, someone had reached out a helping hand to guide you to safety, to share the promise of rescue. Now, you have the opportunity to be that guiding light for someone else.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 10:14, 'How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?' We are the preachers, the messengers of this good news. We are the ones who can tell those lost at sea, 'You can be saved; it's not just a chance, it's a certainty.'

Just as we've confessed and believed, let us now confess and believe in our mission to be bearers of this life-transforming message. In a world of turmoil, uncertainty, and despair, we hold the promise of salvation - the unshakable truth that 'whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed' (Romans 10:11). It's a truth worth sharing, a mission worth pursuing. As we leave this sanctuary, let us commit ourselves to be messengers of hope, guiding those in the midst of life's storms to the eternal harbor of salvation and transformation.

May God bless you all, and may this message resonate in your hearts as you go forth to share the assurance of salvation and the hope of transformation with a world in need.