AWA - Salvation (2)

What must I do to be saved.

“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.4.27.NLT

Outline

Intro

God’s Love for Humanity: Identifying the Need (5 minutes)

How many people would agree with this statement, the struggle of life is real?

No matter who we are or where we live, life for everyone is a challenge. There is an everyday grind—Whether it is school, work, family. There is so much. How are we to make it in life, what is my purpose, how do i pay bills if you are a little older. But there are so many things we focus on just to get through the week.

But Not only that but there are many distractions in life.

What are some things in life that are distractions?

Social media, friends, netflix.

There are so many things in life that we are focused on. And all these things are important.

But today i want to remind you of something more, something bigger. See there is more to life then then what you see on youtube or instagram, there is more to life then what fun you are going to have this weekend, While there may be nothing wrong with taking care of the important things in life, while there is nothing wrong with doing positive fun things in life, we have to remember something very important.

This world is not our home.

There’s something deeper and more real here, Your eternal life is at stake. Many might say, you are being dramatic but i come to tell you that there is something in this world that if you don’t get it right, if you fail at it. Everything else that you do doesn’t matter.

So the question i have for you is:

What are you really living for?

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV):

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

So today this may be the most important sermon that you will ever here, because we are going to cover the most important thing there is in life.

Mark 8:36 (NKJV): For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Young Faithfulness

Now, lets go to a story you might not have heard before.

It is over a King in the bible named Josiah.

Josiah wasn’t just any king; he became king at the tender age of eight years old! That’s right, at eight years old, Josiah found himself on the throne, leading a nation. But even at such a young age, Josiah made a choice that would define his entire life—he chose to follow God with all his heart.

The lost sheep

Myths about salvation

What was God’s solution? Jesus

God’s Solution: Jesus (10 minutes)

We’ve just explored the incredible love of God that pursues us relentlessly, tenderly carries us when we’re lost, and rejoices when we are found. But there’s more to this story—because finding the lost sheep is just the beginning. God’s love doesn’t just stop at finding us; it takes us further. It leads us to the ultimate solution for our lostness: Jesus.

Let’s go back to the parable of the lost sheep. After the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he doesn’t just leave it where he found it. He doesn’t say, "Well, I’m glad I found you; now you’re on your own." No, he lifts the sheep onto his shoulders and carries it all the way back home. This act of carrying the sheep represents something so profound—it shows us that Jesus is the one who bridges the gap between where we are and where we need to be. He’s the one who lifts us up and brings us back to God.

Here’s the first point we need to grasp: Jesus is the Way Back Home. In the parable, the sheep couldn’t find its way back on its own. It needed the shepherd to carry it. In the same way, we can’t find our way back to God through our own efforts. We can’t earn our way to Him by being good enough or doing enough good deeds. We need Jesus. He’s the only way. When Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He’s telling us that He’s the only one who can bring us back to the Father. Just as the shepherd carried the sheep back home, Jesus carries us back to God. He doesn’t just point us in the right direction—He is the way.

But what makes Jesus so special? Why is He the only way? The answer lies in the second point: Jesus Takes on Our Burden. In the parable, the shepherd doesn’t just lead the sheep back; he carries it. The weight of the sheep is on his shoulders, and he bears that weight all the way home. This is a beautiful picture of what Jesus does for us. He takes on the weight of our sins, our mistakes, our failures, and He carries them to the cross. On the cross, Jesus took everything that was weighing us down—all the things that separated us from God—and He dealt with them once and for all.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack all day long. It’s exhausting, right? But then someone comes along and offers to take that backpack off your shoulders. The relief is immediate—you feel lighter, freer, and able to move forward without the burden. That’s what Jesus does for us. He lifts the burden of sin and guilt off our shoulders and carries it Himself. And He doesn’t just carry it a little way—He carries it all the way to the cross, where He deals with it permanently. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to carry the weight of our past. He’s already taken care of it.

This leads us to the final and most joyful point: Jesus Restores Us to Where We Belong. Just as the shepherd carries the sheep back to the safety of the fold, Jesus restores us to a right relationship with God. He brings us back to the place where we belong—where we’re loved, protected, and known. There’s such joy in this! The journey isn’t just about being found; it’s about being brought back into the fullness of life that God has for us.

When the shepherd returns home with the sheep, there’s a celebration. The neighbors and friends gather, and there’s rejoicing because what was lost has been found. In the same way, when we come to Jesus, there’s a celebration in heaven. God and all the angels rejoice because we’ve been restored to our true home. We’re not just saved from being lost—we’re saved into a life of purpose, peace, and joy with God.

That shepherds reaction to the lost is no hesitation but to go find what was lost

You are valuable to God, sometimes we don’t feel worth it because we compare ourselves to others.

Dollars are worth something because the creator says it’s worth something

So what does this mean for us? It means that Jesus is more than just a good teacher or a moral example—He’s our Savior, the one who carries us back to God, who takes on our burdens, and who restores us to where we belong. His love is so great, so deep, that He couldn’t bear to see us remain lost. He made a way for us to come back to God, and that way is Himself.

As we reflect on this, let’s embrace the joy of knowing that we don’t have to navigate life on our own. We don’t have to carry the weight of our sins or try to find our way back to God through our own efforts. Jesus has already made the way. He’s already lifted our burdens. And He’s already brought us back to the place where we are loved, cherished, and celebrated by God.

In Jesus, we find the way back home, the relief of a burden lifted, and the joy of being restored to where we belong. This is the good news—the joyful news—that we have a Savior who loves us so much that He didn’t just find us when we were lost; He carried us all the way back to God. And that, my friends, is worth celebrating with all our hearts.

Jesus is the centerpiece of everything

Mechanics of salvation. (Eph 2:8-9)

What must i do to be saved? Practical response

Appeal and Commitment (3 minutes)

Appeal: If you’ve made a commitment to follow Jesus, or if you feel called to take the next step—whether that’s getting baptized, joining a small group, or spending more time in prayer—I encourage you to respond now. God is inviting you into a deeper relationship with Him, and He has great plans for your life.

We are all part of God’s family, meant to support and encourage one another. Your decision to follow Jesus is just the beginning of a wonderful journey, and we’re here to walk with you.

Prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus. Help us to live in a way that honors You, to share Your love with others, and to grow in our faith every day. We trust You with our lives and thank You for the work You are doing in each of us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."

Closing Blessing: "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and give you peace. Go in the joy of your salvation, and let your life be a light that leads others to Jesus. Amen."

We see three stories which are really one story

We have a lost sheep, lost coin, and lost sun

Lost is such a tragic word. A painful word. If you are at a mall and you are a random kid with no body around them. And especially if they are sad, most people even though you don’t know them, even if they are a bad kid, you feel compassion and want them to find their family. Because no one wants to be lost.

So as a parent or if you were a parent, what would you do if your child was lost? You would do every thing to get your child back, you would be relentless in your search for them, in fact how long would you search? The only amount of time you would search is, until I get them back. This is why it makes sense that God so loved the world, who is the world? His children. And it said He gave His only son. God said I will become lost, so that my children are found. And when Jesus put the sins of the world in His back. That’s what happen. He received death so that we can have life

Sheep represents people who are lost and know they are lost but don’t know how to get home

The lost coin represents those who are lost but a coin is not alive. So it represents those who are lost but don’t know it

The lost son or prodigal son are those who know they are lost and they know how to come back but the only way they will come back is by putting their pride and sin down and coming back to the Father

You are in the right place

Intro

Part 4

Opening Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) - "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

We’ve seen how God’s love chases after us when we’re lost and how Jesus carries us back to where we belong. Now, let’s talk about how this incredible gift of salvation actually works in our lives and what it means for how we live every day.

In the parable of the lost sheep, the sheep didn’t do anything to earn the shepherd’s rescue. It was lost, wandering, and unable to find its way back. But the shepherd, out of pure love, went to find it. This shows us that salvation is a gift of grace. Just like the sheep couldn’t find its way back on its own, we can’t earn our way back to God. Salvation isn’t something we achieve by being good enough or by our own efforts. It’s a gift—a gift of grace, offered to us out of God’s immense love.

The gospel—the good news—is that God’s love reaches out to us even when we don’t deserve it. Salvation is God giving us what we could never earn on our own.

But how do we receive this gift? Salvation is received through faith. In the parable, the sheep doesn’t resist the shepherd. It lets itself be carried home. That’s what faith looks like—trusting in Jesus to bring us back to God. Faith isn’t about trying harder or doing more; it’s about trusting that Jesus has already done everything necessary to save us. It’s like reaching out to accept the hand that’s already extended toward us, ready to pull us to safety.

Faith is simply saying, “I trust you, Jesus,” and letting Him do the work of saving and transforming you.

Now, once the sheep is safely back in the flock, it doesn’t wander off again. It stays close to the shepherd, knowing that’s where it’s safe. Salvation leads to a life of obedience and Christlikeness. When we accept God’s gift of salvation through faith, it’s not the end—it’s the beginning of a transformed life. God’s grace not only saves us; it changes us.

Living in obedience to God isn’t about trying to earn His love; it’s about responding to the love He’s already shown us. It’s about living close to the Shepherd—following Jesus, reflecting His love, and becoming more like Him each day. This is where true freedom and fulfillment come from—not in wandering on our own, but in staying close to the One who saved us.

So, salvation isn’t about what you can do; it’s about what God has already done for you through Jesus. It’s a gift—receive it through faith, let it transform your life, and walk in obedience, knowing that the One who saved you will guide you every step of the way. This is the joy of the gospel: God’s love and grace at work in your life, making you whole and leading you to live a Christlike life filled with purpose, peace, and joy.

Part 5

We’ve talked about how God’s love finds us when we’re lost, how Jesus brings us back to where we belong, and how salvation transforms us. But God’s plan goes beyond just saving us—it’s about sharing that joy and being a part of bringing others into His family.

Think about the Olympics. When an athlete wins a gold medal, the entire country celebrates. It’s not just their victory—it’s a victory for everyone. Even though most of us aren’t on the field, when the flag is raised and the national anthem plays, we feel that pride and joy as if we ourselves had run the race. That victory belongs to all of us.

Now, imagine this on a spiritual level. When just one person comes to know Jesus, all of God’s people celebrate. Every soul saved is a victory for the entire family of God. It’s not just their victory—it’s ours. The joy that fills heaven over one lost soul returning spills over to us, the community of believers.

Here’s the first key point: God’s Joy Overflows When We Are Found. Just like an Olympic victory is celebrated by an entire nation, each person who finds Christ brings joy to all of God’s people. It’s a collective victory. When we see someone saved, we should be filled with that same excitement because we are all part of God’s amazing family.

But here’s something else to consider: your own journey to faith likely wasn’t the result of just one person or one moment. Over the years, different people have played a role in guiding you towards God. Maybe it was a family member who taught you to pray, a friend who invited you to church, or a stranger who showed you kindness at just the right time. All these moments, all these people, contributed to your growth in faith. This brings us to our second key point: We Are Called to Be a Light to Those Around Us.

Just like those who influenced your spiritual journey, you have the opportunity to be a light to others. Every interaction you have, every word you speak, every act of kindness can contribute to someone else’s journey toward God. It might seem small—just a smile, a kind word, or a simple invitation—but it all adds up. We should always strive to be the kind of people who draw others closer to God, not push them away. Our lives should reflect Christ so that others see His love in us.

The third key point is this: There Is Joy in Bringing Others to Christ. Just like the joy of an Olympic victory is shared by the whole nation, the joy of someone coming to Christ is shared by all of us. We’re not just spectators in God’s kingdom—we’re participants in His great work of salvation. And the best part? Every little thing we do to point others to Jesus contributes to that ultimate victory.

So as we come to the climax of this message, let’s remember: we’re all in this together. Every soul saved is a victory for the entire family of God, and each of us has a role to play. Whether we’re planting seeds, watering them, or helping them grow, everything counts. Let’s commit to being lights in the lives of those around us, always pointing them toward Jesus. Let’s embrace the joy, the excitement, and the privilege of bringing others into the family of God. And let’s celebrate every victory as our own, because in Christ, it truly is.

Call to Action: What Must I Do to Be Saved? (5 minutes)

Opening Scripture: Acts 16:31 (NLT) - "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.'"

We’ve explored how God’s love finds us when we’re lost, how Jesus carries us back to where we belong, and how salvation changes our lives. Now, the most important question remains: What must I do to be saved?

The answer is simple: Believe in the Lord Jesus. This means trusting in Him—believing that He is the Son of God who came to save us. It’s not about earning anything or being perfect; it’s about accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus offers.

Think about the lost sheep from the parable. The sheep didn’t find its way back on its own. The shepherd found it, picked it up, and carried it home. The sheep simply trusted the shepherd. That’s what we need to do—trust Jesus to carry us, to save us, and to bring us back to God.

Believing in Jesus means recognizing that we need Him. We can’t save ourselves, but we don’t have to—because Jesus has already done everything needed to bring us back to God. When we put our trust in Him, He forgives our sins and gives us a new start.

But this isn’t just a one-time decision. It’s a daily commitment to follow Jesus, to let His love guide us, and to grow in our relationship with Him. It’s about living in the joy and peace that comes from knowing we are loved and saved by God.

If you’re ready to make that commitment to believe in Jesus, or if you want to renew that commitment, now is the time. You don’t need to do anything complicated—just open your heart to Jesus, trust Him, and let Him lead your life.