The True Way of Salvation
The Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Welcome:
Announcements:
Travel Announcement: 26 Years of Marriage… Prayer Request
Introduction:
Matthew 5:17-20…
We are studying the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5… My heart has been so blessed as I meditate on these scriptures. They speak of the Beatitudes, the "Way of True Happiness," "being and doing," and the Lord Jesus, the great doer.
In our passage today, Jesus is making a stunning statement about the greatest project in human history: God's plan of redemption.
Let's read what he said in this part of the Sermon on the Mount that we are giving the title “The True Way of Salvation.”
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Bridge:
Barna Institute Research: Eighty-eight percent of all Catholics and the vast majority of Methodists and Presbyterians believe that if people are generally good and do good things for others in this life, they can earn a place in Heaven when they die.
Among Baptists, the number was 27%.
This was the attitude of religious Jews at the time of Christ.
People believed that a good life combined with good works would guarantee salvation.
Unfortunately, many today seem to have the same misconception about salvation and righteousness.
We live in a very religious age, where we are surrounded by religion of all kinds & flavors.
As in the days of the Judges, the Bible says:
Judges 21:25 "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
Today we live in similar times… “each one does what seems right to him.” -
There are many people who think and teach that you can and should earn your way into Heaven by being and doing what seems right to you, as long as you are sincere.
Perhaps there are people here today in this auditorium or online who believe the same way.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.
If what you're counting on to save your soul is wrong, you may be smiling and joyful, but that joy will end in sadness - grief.
So, wouldn't you like to know the True Way of Salvation before it's too late?
Anyone in their right mind would!
In verse 20, Jesus says that a certain level of righteousness is necessary before we can hope to enter Heaven.
Today, I'd like to talk about the True Way of Salvation.
My purpose in preaching this sermon is to challenge you to carefully examine your relationship with God so that you can know if you are truly on the right path, saved, or simply deceived.
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will speak to hearts so that we can all know where we stand regarding our salvation.
I. v. 20 GOD'S STANDARD
I. v. 20 GOD'S STANDARD
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Unless your righteousness exceeds - surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Forget it! No chance!
A. Some of the Pharisees' Customs —
A. Some of the Pharisees' Customs —
Let’s read some scriptures that talk about this group of people called pharisees & scribes…
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
they preach, but do not practice…
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
Phylacteries, “tefillin,” small boxes containing biblical texts, are worn on the forehead and arms.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
They gave their tithes strictly, obeying the Law partially…
24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
They were obsessed with external cleanliness - “OCD” (III. Washing, social separation, etc.).
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
III. On the outside, these people lived at a higher standard than anyone in this audience!
Yet, Jesus says we must exceed that standard to have access to Heaven!
lesson:
B. It is possible to look good on the outside and be completely defiled on the inside.
B. It is possible to look good on the outside and be completely defiled on the inside.
III. There is no point in trying to clean a window by cleaning only the outside of the glass, because the stain may be on the inside.
III. This is a common human error!)
C. If good works and religious rituals can only produce a religious exterior, but not a righteous interior, then what is Jesus talking about?
c. What is God's standard for admission to Heaven?
c. What is God's standard for admission to Heaven?
Absolute Perfection!
The only hope anyone has of entering Heaven is to be righteous—inside and out—to be & do like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!
This is God's standard and applies to everyone!
Life's great discovery…
II. MAN'S DEFICIENCY
II. MAN'S DEFICIENCY
How does man compare to God's standard?
A. Man is declared a sinner by God—Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10–18
A. Man is declared a sinner by God—Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10–18
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
B. The best that man can produce is like filthy rags before God—Isaiah 64:6.
B. The best that man can produce is like filthy rags before God—Isaiah 64:6.
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
(Ill.) Even the great apostle Paul did not want to face God in his own righteousness—Phil. 3:9. Ill. Paul’s works, Phil. 3:4–8. He knew his works could not save. And neither could yours or mine!
C. Even at our best, we fall far short of God’s standard—Jesus Christ.
C. Even at our best, we fall far short of God’s standard—Jesus Christ.
(Ill.) Rom. 3:23—“All have sinned”—“Missing the mark!” We have all violated God’s Law and are guilty before Him—Isa. 53:6; Jam. 2:10
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
III. GOD'S SOLUTION
III. GOD'S SOLUTION
A. God knows the depth and extent of human fallenness—Psalm 103:14.
A. God knows the depth and extent of human fallenness—Psalm 103:14.
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
(It is pure grace that keeps us from being destroyed in His wrath—Lam. 3:22–23)
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
B. God knows that man can never earn salvation or be good enough for Heaven.
B. God knows that man can never earn salvation or be good enough for Heaven.
Therefore, He created a way for sinners to be justified and meet the high standard of God's will.
C. God's plan is a multi-step plan that guarantees to bring you to a state of true righteousness, holiness, and perfect standing before God.
C. God's plan is a multi-step plan that guarantees to bring you to a state of true righteousness, holiness, and perfect standing before God.
1. His plan is an ancient plan—Revelation 13:8
1. His plan is an ancient plan—Revelation 13:8
8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
2. His plan involved a death—2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19
2. His plan involved a death—2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
3. His plan involved a resurrection—Matthew 28:1–6; Romans 4:25
3. His plan involved a resurrection—Matthew 28:1–6; Romans 4:25
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
“25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised again for our justification.”
4. His plan involves conviction of sin—John 16:8
4. His plan involves conviction of sin—John 16:8
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
5. His plan involves God's grace—Romans 5:20; Eph. 2:8-9
5. His plan involves God's grace—Romans 5:20; Eph. 2:8-9
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
6. His plan involves faith apart from works—Rom. 10:9–10, 13; Acts 16:31
6. His plan involves faith apart from works—Rom. 10:9–10, 13; Acts 16:31
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The jailer… “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
7. His plan involves total justification—1 Cor. 6:9–11
7. His plan involves total justification—1 Cor. 6:9–11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(Considered!)
8. His plan involves eternity and life — John 10:28 3:16
8. His plan involves eternity and life — John 10:28 3:16
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
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.
9. His plan involves an eternal heavenly home—Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9
9. His plan involves an eternal heavenly home—Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10. His plan involves an unshakable guarantee—Hebrews 7:25; 13:5
10. His plan involves an unshakable guarantee—Hebrews 7:25; 13:5
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
(Ill. Drowning sailor—“I’m not holding the rope, the rope is holding me!”)
D. Man is not righteous and could never attain righteousness. However, by simple faith in Jesus Christ, God declares us righteous—Romans 4:18–25
D. Man is not righteous and could never attain righteousness. However, by simple faith in Jesus Christ, God declares us righteous—Romans 4:18–25
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,
24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
E. Salvation is simple! It's simply accepting God's Word and receiving Christ and His finished work on the cross as payment for your sins.
E. Salvation is simple! It's simply accepting God's Word and receiving Christ and His finished work on the cross as payment for your sins.
Have you done this?
(Ill. Too easy.
Ill. Cake mix. A certain brand of cake mix didn't sell well because all you had to do was add water. People thought it was too easy. So they changed the recipe and instructions to add water and an egg, and it sold like hotcakes!)
People like to do something. Salvation, however, doesn't need your contribution. The work is done; all you have to do is believe!)
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
(All stand…)
I need to finish this message,…
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The Bible tells us that one day, all men will face Almighty God.
Let us all pray… please close your eyes… so you won't be distracted by anything at that moment… eternity is at stake…
When that day comes, and for some it could be today, tomorrow… you will have only two choices regarding your attire for that day.
You will appear dressed in your own righteousness, which is like filthy rags—and then hear Him say, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
Or you will appear clothed in perfect righteousness, which comes from faith in Jesus Christ, and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord."
What will your attire be on that day?
Spiritually speaking, how are you dressed today?
Listen carefully… Hebrews 3:7–8 “…as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts…’
Do not harden your hearts… do not pretend you don’t understand, that you are not listening…
If you are still wearing the garments of your old self, the garments of your sins, and are not ready to appear before God, know that God loves you.
John 3:16 “For God so loved you that he gave his only begotten Son, that by believing you should not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus loves you and wants to give you clothing appropriate for the great day of the Lord, clothing that will save your soul and give you eternal life with God.
He can do it right now, he can write your name in the book of life—
if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart…
“God will credit all righteousness to you, because you believed in him who was raised from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Do you want to do this today?—confess with your mouth and believe with all your heart that Jesus rose from the dead?
Do you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
“My righteous one will live by faith”… Do you want to start living by faith from now on?
Everyone, with your eyes closed…
Make a sign with your hand for me to pray with you, and then I will explain the meaning of this important step.
A prayer is not a magic formula, but rather a sincere expression of the heart to God.
Prayer of Confession and Faith
Repeat the following prayer with me, but what matters is your faith and your repentance.
"Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging my need. I confess that I am a sinner and that, on my own, I cannot save myself. I have wronged You and others, in thoughts, words, and actions.
I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died on the cross for my sins, and that You rose again on the third day, conquering death.
At this moment, I place all my trust in You and You alone for my salvation. Forgive my sins, cleanse my life, and make me a new person.
Jesus, I surrender control of my life to You. Be my Lord and Savior. Guide me by Your Spirit from this day forward and forevermore.
Thank you for your infinite love and the forgiveness you offer me. Amen."
---
Understanding the Step You Are Taking
Understanding the Step You Are Taking
This prayer represents a decision of faith, which is the most important step in a person's life. The Bible explains this process clearly:
1. **Acknowledgment of Sin:**
1. **Acknowledgment of Sin:**
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
The first step is admitting that we are not perfect and that we need forgiveness.
2. **The Consequence of Sin:**
2. **The Consequence of Sin:**
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Sin separates us from God, but He offers us a gift: eternal life.
3. **God's Remedy:**
3. **God's Remedy:**
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross.
4. **The Response of Faith:**
4. **The Response of Faith:**
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
Salvation comes by faith—believing and trusting in Jesus, not in our own efforts.
What Now? Next Steps
What Now? Next Steps
If you've prayed this prayer sincerely, the Bible says you've become a **new creation** (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is the beginning of a wonderful journey! Here are some suggestions for growing in your new faith:
1. **Talk to God Daily (Prayer):**
1. **Talk to God Daily (Prayer):**
Prayer is simply talking to God. Talk to Him about your day, your worries, and thank Him for His blessings.
2. **Read the Bible:**
2. **Read the Bible:**
It's God's love letter to you. Start with the Gospel of John in the New Testament to get to know Jesus better.
3. **Find a Church:**
3. **Find a Church:**
It's essential to connect with other Christians to learn, be encouraged, and worship God in community. Look for a church that faithfully teaches the Bible.
4. **Tell Someone:**
4. **Tell Someone:**
Share your decision with a Christian friend or pastor. They can provide support and guidance.
May God richly bless your new life in Christ!
