Why You Can’t Lose Salvation- Parts 1,2,3

Why You Can’t Lose Salvation (Part 1)

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

* Congregation you help me this morning-

* Jesus Christ offered himself for our sins on the cross of Calvary, And according to our text here in Hebrews 10:13, by His offering we are perfected.

How long are we perfected for?

… congregation “for ever!”

Repeat this question and answer again for emphasis…

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

* Now congregation you help me again-

How long will God not remember our sins and iniquities for?

Congregation- “For Ever!”

* The plain message of our text this morning is:

Once perfected, always perfected!

Once forgiven, always forgiven!

Once saved, always saved!

Introduction:

* Our text verse this morning speaks of a covenant that God made with Abraham.

* This covenant was made between God and Abraham before Moses, and before the Law, and before the priests, and before there was ever a Temple.

* The Covenant that was made between God and Abraham was a covenant based on faith and resulted in salvation for Abraham.

* God made a promise to Abraham that He would be his salvation and his protector.

* In the New Testament, the Apostles taught that this covenant of faith that God made with Abraham is the basis of our salvation as well.

* Because Abraham, being a sinful man like the rest of us, did not have the ability to be righteous before a Holy God, God made a promise to Abraham the He would provide righteous for Him.

* This is where Jesus Christ comes in- He is our righteous, provided for us, so that we might be able to obtain righteousness.

* In this covenant with Abraham, the Bible says that God counted Abraham’s faith for righteousness.

* The New Testament teaches that this faith-covenant that God made with Abraham is also the basis of the covenant relationship of our salvation as well.

Romans 4:20–5:11 (KJV 1900)

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

* The New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith in what God is able to do for us.

* Our salvation does not depend on our ability to keep from committing some sin that would cause us to lose our salvation.

* There are some who would teach that a person can backslide away from God, or commit some terrible sin, and by this lose their salvation.

* My intent in this morning’s sermon is to show how that this teaching is inconsistent with the teaching of both the Old Testament, and the teaching of the New Testament Apostles.

* According to the author of the New Testament book of Hebrews, Abram’s covenant with God is the basis of our salvation.

* The Holy Spirit has made sure, without a shadow of a doubt that we understand that our salvation is sure and eternal and cannot be undone or reversed.

Hebrews 6:13–19 (KJV 1900)

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

* There are those in the church today that seem to have strife within themselves about the Biblical doctrine of Eternal security.

* There is a battle going on in their mind about the assurance of their salvation.

* If a Christian can lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and change His mind—two things that Scripture tells us God never does.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we might have a strong consolation,

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…

* When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin and eternal life, we come into covenant with God- and God always keeps His covenants- they are sure and steadfast, and you can anchor your hope on them that God will never allow you to lose the salvation that you covenanted with Him for.

* There are those in the church today that seem to have strife within themselves about the Biblical doctrine of Eternal security.

* There is a battle going on in their mind about the assurance of their salvation.

* And because of this strife, or insecurity, they are being robbed of the fullness of the joy of their salvation.

* God never intended for this strife, and doubt, and lack of assurance to go on in the mind of one who believes on Jesus Christ for salvation.

* God has given us an abundance of very plain Scriptures that teach us that once we place our faith in Jesus Christs for salvation, that that salvation is permanent, unconditional, and can never be taken away from us.

* It is impossible for us to do something to cause us to lose our salvation.

* There is not a single thread of evidence in the Scriptures to support the idea that a person that has been saved could lose his or her salvation.

* There is absolutely no place in the Bible that deals with a man or woman being saved a second time either- There is no mention of it ever happening in the Word of God.

* The most frequent objections to the belief in the doctrine of Eternal Security are:

1) What about those who are Christians and continually live an immoral lifestyle because they believe in eternal security?

2) What about those who are Christians but later reject the faith and deny Christ?

If they have cast away their faith, surely they cannot be saved can they?

Now the Bible gives a very simple answer for each of these objections.

1) What about those who are Christians and continually live an immoral lifestyle?

* According to 1 John chapter 3 and verse 6, the Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a continually immoral lifestyle.

If a person claims to be a Christian and lives a continually immoral life that very fact demonstrates they have never been saved.

2) What about those who are Christians but later reject the faith and deny Christ?

According to I John chapter 2 and verse 19, the Bible declares that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he never truly was a Christian to begin with.

* Neither objection to the doctrine of eternal security is valid.

* Christians do not continually live immoral lifestyles without the severe judgment of God on their lives, nor do they reject the faith and deny Christ.

* Such actions only prove that they were never saved to start with.

* Jesus said “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

* Come on now! Think about the absurdity of the notion that salvation could be lost or somehow undone once a person has been saved!

* Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to see the Kingdom of God, he must be born again! Can you not see the absurdity of being un-born again?

* 2 Corinthians 5:17 Tells us “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

* Now you tell me- is it not absurd to think that a man that has become a new creation is somehow changed back into the old creature again? What foolish thinking is this!?

* Can a man be un-born-again? Why there is no such thing ever mentioned in the Word of God!

* The book of Romans chapter 6 and verse 23 tells us that salvation is the “gift of God.” If you say this morning that you received the gift of salvation, and then that it is possible to for God to take that gift back you make God an “Indian-giver” and a liar.

* By this you make God a unrighteous God, a liar- too weak to keep his promise of salvation!

* The Bible says in the book of Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

* So what happens then if you could lose your salvation? Does God give your sin-stained soul back to you again? After God cleans you up, does He make you dirty again?

* The Bible says that when God saves you that He separates your sins as far from you as the east is from the west- so what happens if you really were able to lose your salvation- does God bring all your sins back together from the east to the west?

* The Bible says that when God saves you he puts your sins behind His back that in order that He might remember them no more- If you were able to lose your salvation does God bring your sins from behind His back and place them in front of Himself in order that He can remember them after He has forgotten them?

* The Bible says that when God saved you that He removed your sins from you and cast them in the deepest part of the sea- so if you were able to lose your salvation, does God go to the bottom of the sea and fetch them back again?

* In John chapter 6 and verse 13 Jesus said “ 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

* If Jesus really said this, can you explain to me how that somewhere else in the Bible it would teach that after we have come to Jesus to be saved, we could then be unsaved or “cast out?”

* If one person comes to Jesus for salvation and later loses salvation, then that would make Jesus a liar!

* According to John chapter 6 and verse 39, Jesus will never lose anyone that comes to him to be saved!

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

* Can you explain to me how Jesus could give someone everlasting life, and that everlasting life be canceled? That would not be everlasting life, it would be conditional, temporary life!

* Loosing eternal life makes no sense at all! The very thought of it is just silliness!

* I Peter 1:18 says that we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

* The word redeemed means to buy back, the Bible also says in I Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 20 that those who have saved have been “bought with a price.”

* If it is possible for a person to lose their salvation, does Jesus get His money back?

* Can Jesus go back and erase the price he paid on Calvary for your salvation and redemption to buy you back?

* How can you un-apply the blood of Christ to the soul of one who has been cleansed by the blood of Christ?

* According to Romans chapter 5 and verse 1 a saved person has been justified.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

* To “justify” means to “declare righteous.” All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God, just like Abraham was declared righteous by His faith in God’s salvation.

* For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared righteous!

* What utter foolishness is this!

* The Bible says in Romans 6 that it is impossible to be renewed to repentance again.

* Does this mean that if you were to lose your salvation that you could never ever able to be saved again?

* Where do you draw the line?

* How many sins does it take to get un-saved? Or, How big does the sin need to be to cause you to lose your salvation?

* Does that sin need to be greater than David’s sin of murder, or David’s sin of adultery? Where do you draw the line?

* Where does this kind of faulty reasoning come from?

* This is not the thinking of faith, but this is the thinking of doubt!- Doubt that God is able to keep us saved!

* The Bible tells us that Abram is the father of all those that believe unto salvation by faith. And the Bible says that Abraham (Romans 4:20–5:11)

“ staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

* Abraham was saved because he was persuaded that God would keep

His promise to be his salvation!

Ecclesiastes 3:14 (KJV 1900)

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

* Our text this morning says 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

* I would like to illustrate for you, by the scriptures that the teaching of the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer is consistently taught across the span of the entire Bible.

* I intend to show you this morning that if you were to take an isolated verse of the Bible, and twist it’s meaning by taking it out of its context, to make it appear that a person can lose their salvation, then you would cause the Word of God to conflict with its self- and we know that is impossible.

* I want to show you this morning, that to believe or teach that you can lose your salvation, is contrary to the consistency of the message of the Bible concerning salvation.

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

(Part 2, the following Sunday)

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

* Congregation you help me this morning-

* Jesus Christ offered himself for our sins on the cross of Calvary, And according to our text here in Hebrews 10:13, by His offering we are perfected.

How long are we perfected for?

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

… congregation “for ever!”

Repeat this question and answer again for emphasis…

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

* Now congregation you help me again-

How long will God not remember our sins and iniquities for?

Congregation- “For Ever!”

* The plain message of our text this morning is:

Once perfected, always perfected!

Once forgiven, always forgiven!

Once saved, always saved!

Introduction:

* The Holy Spirit has made sure, without a shadow of a doubt that we understand that our salvation is sure, and eternal, and that it is impossible to be undone, lost, or ever reversed.

* Jesus called all those who come to Him for salvation his sheep, and He called Himself the Great Shepard of the sheep.

* Turn in your Bible with me to John chapter 10, and let’s examine together what Jesus taught concerning how secure His sheep are in their salvation.

John 10:7–15 (KJV 1900)

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:22–30 (KJV 1900)

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

* Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life.”

* Do you really believe that?- that Jesus, the Great Shepard, gives his sheep eternal life this morning, or do you doubt what the Bible says?

* I find it so hard to understand how people can read a passage like we just read, and then talk about a Christian losing his eternal life.

* It would not be eternal life if it could be lost would it?

* Jesus said “And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

* This passage, in the original language is a very strong statement of our eternal security.

* In the English language, a double negative makes an affirmative, but in the Greek language, a double negative bolsters and strengthens a declaration.

* The declaration of Jesus here in John chapter 10 and verses 27 and 28 is that “They shall never, no, never, perish.”

* What Jesus is saying here is that it is impossible, and it is unthinkable, that one who has eternal life would ever perish I Hell!

* and if that statement was not enough, Jesus went on to say “My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.

* As I was in my study preparing this sermon, I was reading a book written by Dr. Harry Ironside, the former pastor of the great Moody Church in Chicago, Ill.

* In this book, Dr. Ironside was discussing the doctrine of the Eternal Security of the believer, and he related the following personal experience.

* Dr. Ironside was traveling over the desert while working among the Indians, when he and those traveling with him passed a bridge over a deep gorge, when they heard the pitiable bleating of a lamb.

* There are some of us here that deal with sheep and goats and you know what kind of a pitiful sound I am talking about.

* It sounds almost like a pitiful scream of terror from a child.

* I used to have a little pigmy goat, and one night I woke up during the night to the sound of something like a little kid screaming outside my bedroom window.

* A dog had my little goad by the throat and was about to kill the little fella.

* I had never heard such a pitiful sound in all my life! It sent chills down my spine and I jumped up out of bed and rescued the poor little goat from being torn apart!

* Well, when Dr. Ironside and his party heard this little sheep’s pitiful cry, they all got of the car and went to the edge of the bridge, and saw the little lamb about fifty feet down on a ledge.

* It was a sheer two hundred foot drop to the creek below where they were standing.

* They looked to see whether there was any possible way to get down there and rescue the pitiful little sheep, but they couldn’t find a way to get to him.

* That sheep had been eating, and had come to the edge of the cliff, and had looked down over the side, where there was a little ledge all green with tempting grass.

* The little lamb jumped down to the ledge and he ate all the green grass that was there.

* When all the grass was gone, he found that he couldn’t get back up.

* They tried to lasso him, but were expert enough with a rope to do that.

* They looked up, and there were already three great big buzzards flying around, just waiting for the time when the little animal would get weak and give up, and then they would eat him alive.

* As I read this story, I couldn’t help but imagine how pitiful we sound to our heavenly father, when we stray away from our fellowship with Him, and we wander off into this dangerous sinful world where we find ourselves stuck out on a ledge and about to perish.

* Jesus warned us that following Him in this world will have its perils, but when it comes to our salvation this morning Jesus has promised to never let one of his saved ones perish!

* In Luke 21 and verse 16 Jesus said to his disciples

Luke 21:16–18 (KJV 1900)

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

* Are you one of those people who live in constant fear that you might backslide, or commit some sin that might cause you to lose your salvation this morning?

* In your fear and anguish about your failures and sins, do you cry out to God for help and hope that He hears your pitiful cry like that little lamb in our story?

* I have good news for you this morning!

* Jesus is the Great Shepard, and He has promised to never allow a single one of his sheep to lose their salvation and perish in Hell!

* According to Jesus here in John chapter 10, we are safe in the fold of the Great Shepard this morning; your salvation is safe in the hands of God this morning!

* And no man can pluck you out of His almighty hand, because He gave His life for the sheep and he cares for His sheep!

* We are not keeping ourselves saved this morning;

we are kept saved by the Great Shepard, the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ!

* Jesus is not only the one who saves us to start with, but Jesus is also the one who keeps us saved!

* Turn with me to the book of Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 and 2:

Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV 1900)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

* You need to double underline, and highlight, and put a great big star by verse 2 this morning.

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

* The great Shepard, Jesus Christ is the author of our salvation!

John 10:7–9 (KJV 1900)

7 … Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

* And so Jesus is the author, or beginner, of your salvation this morning.

* But not only is Jesus the author, or beginner, but Jesus is also the finisher of your salvation too!

* Jesus, the Great Shepard of John chapter 10, is the finisher of our salvation!

John 10:26–28 (KJV 1900)

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

* Jesus is the finisher of our salvation, Jesus is not just the one who saves us, but thank god Jesus is also the one who keeps us saved!

* I have great assurance and confidence that my salvation is safe and secure this morning, because I am not keeping myself saved, but Jesus, the Great Shepard is the one who is keeping me saved!

* I Peter chapter 1 and verse 3 plainly tells us who is in charge of keeping you saved this morning- listen to the words of the apostle Peter:

1 Peter 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God

through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

* Jesus is the finisher of our salvation!

* When I got saved I was not just whitewashed, but I was washed white! - by the precious blood of the Great Shepard who gave His life for his sheep!

* I was redeemed, Justified, regenerated, recreated, born again, made a new creature, no longer under the condemnation of the law!

* I died and was buried with Christ, and I was raised with Him to walk in newness of life, and to life more abundantly!

* I was made free from the law of sin and death, never to be condemned by my sin ever again, because Jesus Christ, the Great Shepard, paid for my sin and is the author, and the finisher, of my salvation!

* but, I am also kept saved by the power resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day, and according to Jude 24, Jesus is “able to able to keep me from falling, and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!”

* Because Jesus is not only the author of my salvation, but He is the finisher of my salvation also!

* Last Sunday I began a sermon on the doctrine of our Eternal Security and was only able to get thorough the introduction.

* Our text this morning says 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

* Let me read our text again-

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

* I would like to illustrate for you, by the scriptures that the teaching of the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer is consistently taught across the span of the entire Bible.

* I intend to show you this morning that if you were to take an isolated verse of the Bible, and twist it’s meaning by taking it out of its context, to make it appear that a person can lose their salvation, then you would cause the Word of God to conflict with its self- and we know that is impossible.

* I want to show you this morning, that to believe or teach that you can lose your salvation, is contrary to the consistency of the message of the Bible concerning salvation.

* Today we will attempt to move on past the introduction, to the meat of the sermon and here are the 4 points that we will examine together:

* We have already look briefly at the first point last Sunday…

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

* Our text verse this morning is referring to an unconditional covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis chapter 15.

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

* This covenant was made between God and Abraham before Moses, and before the Law, and before the priests, and before there was ever a Temple.

* The Covenant that was made between God and Abraham was a covenant based on faith, one that was unconditional, and resulted in salvation for Abraham, and according to the New Testament, is the basis of our New Testament salvation in Jesus Christ.

* In Genesis chapter 15, God made a promise to Abraham that He would be his salvation and his protector.

* In the New Testament, the Apostles taught that this covenant of faith that God made with Abraham is the basis of our salvation as well.

* Because Abraham, being a sinful man like the rest of us, did not have the ability to be righteous before a Holy God, God made a promise to Abraham the He would provide righteous for Him.

* This is precisely what was pictured when Abraham walked up the very same mount Moriah on which the cross of Jesus stood, to offer his only begotten son, Isaac as a sacrifice of faith to God.

* Isaac asked Abraham “We have wood, and we have the fire, but where is the sacrifice?”

* Abraham replied, “God will provide Himself a sacrifice.”

* And there on that very same mountain, Jesus, the very God, but yet also at the same time, the fleshly, only begotten son of God, provided Himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

* This is where Jesus Christ comes in- He is our righteous, provided for us, so that we might be able to obtain righteousness.

* In this covenant with Abraham, the Bible says that God counted Abraham’s faith for righteousness.

* The New Testament teaches that this faith-covenant that God made with Abraham is also the basis of the covenant relationship of our salvation as well.

* The very name, the New Testament, means the “New Covenant.”

* Speaking of Abraham, the apostle Paul said in the Romans chapter 4 and verse 20-

Romans 4:20–5:11 (KJV 1900)

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

* The New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith in what God is able to do for us, not what we can do for ourselves.

* Our salvation does not depend on our ability to keep from committing some sin that would cause us to lose our salvation.

* There are some who would teach that a person can backslide away from God, or commit some terrible sin, and by this lose, their salvation.

* My intent in this morning’s sermon is to show how that this teaching is inconsistent with the teaching of both the Old Testament, and the teaching of the New Testament Apostles.

* According to the author of the New Testament book of Hebrews, Abram’s covenant with God is the basis of our salvation.

* If a Christian can lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and change His mind—two things that Scripture tells us that it is impossible for God to ever do.

* The writher of the book of Hebrews tells us precisely this in Hebrews chapter 6-

Hebrews 6:13–19 (KJV 1900)

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we might have a strong consolation,

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

* Now I want you to turn with me to the record of the original covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis chapter 15 and verse 1.

* Let’s look at the nature of this covenant together-

15 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

* I want to stop right here for just a moment. God told Abraham that He would be his exceeding great reward- now let me read you something from the New Testament that reminds me of God telling Abraham that He will be his great reward…

(Hebrews 11)

Hebrews 11:1–6 (KJV 1900)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous,

God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

* Now back to Genesis 15 and the covenant that God made with Abraham …

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,

saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

* Abraham asked God to give him a sign that God would keep his promise to him of salvation.

* The sign of ancient covenants often involved the cutting in half of animals, so that the pledging parties in this contract would walk between them, affirming that the same should happen to them if they broke the covenant.

* Just so you will know that this account is truly how a covenant was performed in the days of Abraham, we see this same kind of ceremony was observed by the leaders of Israel made with King Zedekiah in Jeremiah chapter 34.

Jeremiah 34:8–11 (KJV 1900)

8 This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;

9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. 10 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.

11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.

Jeremiah 34:18–20 (KJV 1900)

18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,

19 The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;

20 I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

* I just wanted you to see that what God has done here with Abraham in Genesis chapter 15, is truly a real sign of a covenant that was used by men in the days of Abraham.

* I want you to notice now in the following verses that God puts Abraham in a deep sleep, this is important to see, because it shows that the covenant that God is making with Abraham did not involve any promise, or works on Abraham’s part.

12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

* Notice now that Abraham did not walk with God through the pieces as a pledge, but only God took part in this ceremony of pledge. Look at verse 17-

17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,

* This fact that God put Abraham in a deep sleep, and only God walked through the pieces, proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the covenant of faith that God made with Abraham, was not dependent on anything that Abram did.

* This covenant of salvation that God makes with Abraham is not dependent on Abraham’s righteousness or works, but this righteousness that God gives Abraham by covenant- this salvation that God promises to Abraham by covenant- this forgiveness of sin given to Abraham by covenant- is all of what God does, and none of what Abraham does.

* And this is what our text verse means in its context this morning. That our salvation was complete and finished when we got saved- salvation is not something we can lose.

Hebrews 10:14–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

* According to Hebrews 12:22, we are already, right now, considered citizens of Heaven, and all those who are saved are already written down in God’s book, because Jesus, the Great Shepard of John chapter 10 has already made the spirits of those who are saved perfect.

* Listen to Hebrews 12:22-24-

Hebrews 12:22–24 (KJV 1900)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

* And once again the writer of the book of Hebrews confirms that our covenant of salvation is an eternal, everlasting covenant that is impossible for us to break, because God is the one who made the covenant- by Himself.

* Listen to the words of Hebrews chapter 13 verses 20 and 21-

Hebrews 13:20–21 (KJV 1900)

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

* And, because of this great Bible doctrine of eternal security, we are told to be bold and have confidence in the assurance of our salvation, and to have full assurance that we can never lose our salvation.

* Listen to the words of Hebrews chapter 10 verses 19-31-

Hebrews 10:19–31 (KJV 1900)

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

* Now in this same passage, we are also warned of the seriousness of forsaking the covenant with which we have been saved by- Not that we would lose our salvation, but that God will deal severely with us if we insist on living in sin after that we have been saved under this covenant of salvation.

* The very next verses warn us that a saved person will not get away with a life of unbridled sin.

* As a believer, no sin can cause you to lose your salvation, but living in sin will bring down the judgment and punishment of God on your head for treating the everlasting covenant by which you were saved with disregard.

* Listen to the warning given to God’s saved people who walk all over the covenant of salvation by continuing to live in sin without repentance.

* Listen with me to the very next verse in verse 24-

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

* This same principle of the judgement of God in the life of a believer is illustrated to us concerning the partaking of the ordinance of the Lord’s supper unworthily in I Corinthians chapter 11 and verse 25:

1 Corinthians 11:25–32 (KJV 1900)

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,

This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 12:1–13 (KJV 1900)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Conclusion:

* So what is our conclusion this morning?

* Our conclusion is this- It is impossible for a person to ever lose their salvation, but this is no reason to believe that you can live in rebellion and disobedience against God’s Word and get away it- God will judge you, and take you to the woodshed for your disobedience.

* As I read the story, in the introduction to this message, I couldn’t help but imagine how pitiful we sound to our heavenly father, when we stray away from our fellowship with Him, and we wander off into this dangerous sinful world where we find ourselves stuck out on a ledge and about to perish.

* Jesus warned us that following Him in this world will have its perils, but when it comes to our salvation this morning Jesus has promised to never let one of his saved ones perish!

* When we find ourselves as saved people trapped by sin and stuck out on a ledge, many people believe in their heart that God would allow them to perish, and they cry out to God to save them again, but God will never allow anyone who has ever come to him for salvation to perish.

* When we cry out like that little sheep stuck in a ledge, God will not allow us to perish.

* In I John chapter 1 and verse 8 the apostle John tells us that to do when we find ourselves backslid, living in sin, and out on the ledge like the sheep that went astray:

1 John 1:8–2:2 (KJV 1900)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

* Salvation is totally of Grace, and not dependent on our works.

* The logical result of saying that you could commit some sin, or backslide on God, and lose your salvation- is that your salvation then is dependent upon works.

* The Apostle Paul goes out or his way, and with great effort shows in Romans chapter 4 that this covenant of salvation that we have with God, by faith, does not depend on our works.

* According to Romans 6:23 salvations is the free gift of God. You did not do anything to earn salvation, and you don’t have to do anything to keep salvation either- it is the gift of God, that is given to all those who place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:2–8 (KJV 1900)

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,

his faith is counted for righteousness.

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6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

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Romans 4:20–5:11 (KJV 1900)

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

John 6:35–40

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Peter 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten (born again) us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Jude 24–25 (KJV 1900)

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy

25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

John 10:27–30 (KJV 1900)

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

John 3:16–18 (KJV 1900)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 8:1–11 (KJV 1900)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Romans 8:28–39 (KJV 1900)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1:11–14 (KJV 1900)

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest (guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1 John 3:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you cannot lose your salvation.

Mark 3:22–30 (KJV 1900)

22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

28 Verily I say unto you,

All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

* There is only one sin that can never be forgiven, and this is the unpardonable sin; that like these Pharisees, one would refuse the witness of the Holy Spirit and refuse to believe on Jesus.

29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Notes:

The Apostle Paul’s sermon on the Doctrine of Eternal Security

Text: Hebrews 10:13–18 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Series Introduction:

* Congregation you help me this morning-

* Jesus Christ offered himself for our sins on the cross of Calvary, And according to our text here in Hebrews 10:13, by His offering we are perfected.

How long are we perfected for?

… congregation “for ever!”

Repeat this question and answer again for emphasis…

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

* Now congregation you help me again-

How long will God not remember our sins and iniquities for?

Congregation- “For Ever!”

* The plain message of our text this morning is:

Once perfected, always perfected!

Once forgiven, always forgiven!

Once saved, always saved!

* This is the fourth Sunday in our series on the Biblical Doctrine of Eternal Security.

* Here is the outline for the series:

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God.

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

* Here is where we have been so far:

I. We become righteous by covenant with God- an unconditional covenant and an everlasting covenant.

II. The illustration of our covenant with God.

* Now here is what we will be doing today.

III. The application of our covenant of salvation with God by the Apostles.

* Next Sunday we will look at:

IV. The strange place to find assurance that you can not lose your salvation.

* Now this morning, as we look at the way the Apostles applied the biblical doctrine of Eternal Security, we will be looking at what the Apostle Paul taught concerning this great Bible Doctrine.

* I would like to illustrate for you, by the scriptures that the teaching of the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer is consistently taught across the span of the entire Bible.

* I intend to show you this morning that if you were to take an isolated verse of the Bible, and twist it’s meaning by taking it out of its context, to make it appear that a person can lose their salvation, then you would cause the Word of God to conflict with its self- and we know that is impossible.

* I want to show you this morning, that to believe or teach that you can lose your salvation, is contrary to the consistency of the message of the Bible concerning salvation.

Sermon Introduction:

* Did you know that the entire book of Romans is a lengthy sermon on the doctrine of eternal security?

* We are going to take a little trip through the Apostle Paul’s sermon on 5 reasons you can never lose your salvation.

* Here is the outline we will follow as we examine what the apostle Paul taught concerning the doctrine of eternal security in the book of Romans:

I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

* Salvation is totally of Grace, and not dependent on our works.

* The logical result of saying that you could commit some sin, or backslide on God, and lose your salvation- is that your salvation then is dependent upon works.

* The Apostle Paul goes out or his way, and with great effort shows in Romans chapter 4 that this covenant of salvation that we have with God, by faith, does not depend on our works.

* According to Romans 6:23 salvations is the free gift of God. You did not do anything to earn salvation, and you don’t have to do anything to keep salvation either- it is the gift of God, that is given to all those who place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:2–8 (KJV 1900)

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,

his faith is counted for righteousness.

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6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 4:19–5:2 (KJV 1900)

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

5 Therefore being justified by faith (not justified by works), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

* There was a group of Jews that followed the apostle Paul around called the Judiazers.

* As soon as the apostle Paul would leave a church that he had started, these guys would come in right behind him and teach these new converts to Christianity, that Paul was not a true Apostle, and that He has left out part of the Gospel.

* These Jews would teach these Gentiles that in order to be saved, not only did they have to believe on Christ, but they also had to keep the Jewish law in order to be saved.

* The apostle would get angry about these false teachers trying to teach that these new believers had to maintain works in order to be saved.

* We see his anger at these false teachers in Galatians chapter 3 and verse one where He berates them with the question:

Galatians 3:1–3 (KJV 1900)

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

* Paul goes on to say in verse 10:

Galatians 3:10–14 (KJV 1900)

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

* Paul asked these people in the Galatian church, do you really think that God started your salvation out by faith, and He will finish your salvation by works? Does this make any sense to you? What’s wrong with your thinking?

* The apostle goes on to say to the Galatians that their salvation stands in the Grace of God to keep them saved, not in their ability to keep their selves saved by not sinning or doing good works.

* He tells them that what keeps them save is the same thing that saved them in the first place- the simple grace of God!

* A couple of years ago in this church in our study of church history on Wednesday nights, we studied about a young Catholic monk, by the name of Martin Luther, who was plagued by the false teaching of the Catholic church that even though he was saved by believing on Christ, his salvation depended upon keeping the rules of the Catholic church.

* For many years early in his life Martin Luther was tormented in mind and soul, constantly sensing his sin before God and yet seeing only the heavy hand of a righteous God who must judge sin and execute justice.

* There was no relief in the teachings of the Catholic Church for his troubled soul.

* Luther perceived that his own situation before God was utterly hopeless and he was totally unable to live a good enough life to keep himself saved.

* Due to his biblical realization of his sin, he actually hated God for many years since he knew that he stood condemned before God.

* Luther was driven nearly mad as he discovered that it was actually impossible to confess every little sin.

* Luther was almost driven crazy by a pressing urgency to confess his sins immediately and completely - at all times throughout the day!

* After he had confessed to the priest and gone away, he would think of yet another sin that he had forgotten to repent of, and would turn back around, retrace his steps, and go to confession again.

* Martin had a conscience that constantly pricked him of his sin, and it seemed sometimes that he didn't know why God wouldn't just leave him (and his conscience) alone.

* He joined a strict monastic order and subjected himself to bodily injury and deprivation, as many monks at that time did, in the hope of getting rid of all fleshly desires hoping that would resolve his agony of soul.

* One day Luther was reading in the book of Romans and the words leapt off of the page in his mind:

Romans 1:17 (KJV 1900)

as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

* Luther was immediately relieved in his soul by the understanding that his relationship before God did not depend on his works, but his salvation stood in the Grace of God!

* Martin went on to stand up to the teachings of the Catholic Church that salvation is granted by believing in Christ, but is maintained by following the teaching of the church.

* Eventually Martin Luther left the priesthood, and founded the Lutheran church, which opened the floodgates of people leaving the Catholic Church, starting the protestant movement.

* The protestant movement began to preach that salvation is by faith alone- and that salvation stands not in our good works, but entirely in the grace of God.

* The Biblical doctrine of Eternal Security teaches that we cannot lose our salvation by committing some sin after that we are saved, because we stand in grace, not works.

* Listen to the words of the apostle Paul in a letter to the Ephesian church:

Ephesians 2:4–9 (KJV 1900)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

* First, the apostle Paul in his effort to prover that we can never lose our salvation he showed us in Romans chapter 4 that we cannot lose our salvation because our salvation does not depend on our works, but our salvation stands in the grace of God.

* Next, in Romans chapter 6 the apostle Paul proves that we cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the condemnation of the law forever.

* In the Old Testament God said “the soul that sinneth it shall die!”

* Romans 6.23 says “For the wages of sin is death!”

* But now, after that we have been saved the apostle Paul says that we cannot sin and lose our salvation, because we have been made free from the condemnation of sin forever!

Romans 6:22–7:6 (KJV 1900)

22 But now being made free from sin,

* Now I want to stop right here before we read the rest of this passage and draw insight from another passage of Scripture to help us understand what it means when the Bible says that we have been made free from sin.

* It literally means that after that we are saved, sin cannot touch us, sin can never touch our soul again because all our sins, even our future sins, have been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ!

* Listen to the words of the apostle John in I John chapter 3 and verses 8 and 9:

1 John 3:8–9 (KJV 1900)

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

* Now back to our text in Romans chapter 6 and verse 22:

Romans 6:22–7:6 (KJV 1900)

22 But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

7 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

* Now, let’s keep reading right into the next chapter:

Romans 8:1–2 (KJV 1900)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

* What the apostle Paul is saying here is that our salvation is secure because we have been set free from the condemnation of the law, and because of this there is no more condemnation!

* Paul is saying that we cannot lose our salvation because there is no more law to make us guilty!

* We have already been judged for our sins, the penalty of death was laid in Jesus Christ who paid the punishment of death, and now we have been set free! Never to be condemned ever again!

* And Paul is saying here that my friend is why you’re salvation is secure! You salvation was already paid for by Jesus Christ!

* While hanging on the cross Jesus said to the Father “It is finished!”

* That is why in the book of Revelation at the End, at the Great White Throne Judgment, there are no saved people there- our sins will never be judged again- ever! We are free! Free! Thank God I am free!

John 8:31–36 (KJV 1900)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin….

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

* This truth reminds me of the story my dad used to tell about a school teacher in an old one room school house.

* There was a new teacher come to town for the little school house, and on the first day the teacher, an old stern-faced man, told the children as long as he was their teacher there was going to be some rules, and the rules would be enforced by a switch to the back.

* The teacher allowed the children to make the rules and determine the punishment.

* So the rules were set up, and the punishment decided.

* Not many days after someone broke a rule, and the punishment that the class had determined would have to be carried out.

* Someone had stolen Big Jim’s sack lunch.

* When the teacher asked who had took big Jim’s lunch, a little quite red haired boy, raised his hand and confessed that he had taken big Jim’s lunch.

* The small red haired boy was brought by the teacher to the front of the class and told to take off his shirt for the switching.

* As the little boy took of his shirt it was immediately apparent that this little boy had not had hardly anything to eat for a long time.

* His little arms were bony, and his ribs stuck out from hunger.

* At this point Big Jim was filled with compassion for the little boy and he cried out “I don’t care about the lunch anymore just let him go! Look at him- he can’t take that whippin!”

* The schoolmaster explained that those were the rules, and the punishment had already been determined, it must be carried out.

* The schoolmaster raised this switch to strike the boy, and Big Jim cried out stop!

* Is there anything in the rules against someone taking the whippin for him?

* The schoolmaster replied no there isn’t. Big Jim said I want to take his whippin for him!

* And so, even though Big Jim was the one who the crime had been committed against, is his compassion, Big Jim took the whippin for him.

* And that’s just what Jesus did for you my friend- he took your punishment for you so you could go free! You salvation will never run out- it’s all paid for for eternity.

* You can’t lose your salvation, because you have been loosed from the law that condemned you for your sin by Jesus who took your place.

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I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

* First, the apostle Paul, in his effort to prove that we can never lose our salvation, showed us in Romans chapter 4 that we cannot lose our salvation because our salvation does not depend on our works, but our salvation stands in the grace of God.

* Next, in Romans chapter 6 the apostle Paul proves that we cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the condemnation of the law forever.

* And now thirdly, the apostle Paul proves that we cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

* Ephesians 4:30 says “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

* Now, I used to think that this meant that we were sealed up, protected, from the effects of the sins of the body, and that sin could no longer touch us- and that is very true, but that is not the picture that the apostle Paul is intending to paint in our minds.

* Here is what he really means.

* In the days of the Bible, when a king wanted to mark something to show that it belonged to the king, he would place either a wax seal, or a plaque with his individual mark, or seal on it to show that this belonged to the king.

* In the example of the book of Revelation we see a scroll with seven seals that marks the ownership of the earth and it’s nations given by God the father to God the Son.

* As each seal is opened, the God the Son takes back what rightfully belongs to God, that was forfeited by Adam and Eve to the Devil.

* In the book of Revelation we see 144,000 Jews who receive the seal of God in their forehead, and the devil and the antichrist is unable to harm them because of the seal of God upon them.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV 1900)

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Peter 1:18–19 (KJV 1900)

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

* A seal shows ownership, and the seal of the Holy Spirit marks every believer showing God’s ownership on us.

* Just as those 144,000 Jews were safe because of the seal of God was upon them, even so everyone who has been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, their salvation is safe and secure because they have God’s seal of ownership upon their soul, and they can never, ever, lose their salvation.

* Now, look a little further along in the book of Romans to Romans chapter 8 and lets’ start with verse 5 as the apostle Paul makes his third point in his sermon on the doctrine of eternal security.

Romans 8:5–11 (KJV 1900)

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

* I pulled the following comment from a sermon by John Macharthur:

* Ephesians 4:30 tells us that believers are "sealed for the day of redemption."

* If believers did not have eternal security, the sealing could not truly be unto the day of redemption, but only to the day of sinning, or the day of apostasy, or the day they no longer believe.

* John 3:15-16 tells us that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will "have eternal life." If a person were to be promised eternal life, but then have it taken away, it was never "eternal" to begin with.

* If the Biblical doctrine of eternal security is not true, the promises of eternal life in the Bible would be in error.

* The apostle Paul tells us that we cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the mark of God’s ownership- the Holy Spirit.

I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

* Now drop down with me to Romans chapter 8 and verse 28:

* In his effort to prove to you that you cannot lose your salvation, the apostle Paul says:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

* Stop here just a minute- Back in the Garden of Eden God made Adam and Eve in his image, but that image of God became marred because of sin, and so God began the redemptive process what back then in order to restore the image of the Gory of God to the human race.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV 1900)

. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

* Paul says that as we look upon our savior Jesus, the Holy spirit is changing us so that we become like a mirror reflection the image of God!

* In order for God to restore is image to mankind, He had to completely get rid of sin.

* and that my friends, is what the Bible is talking about when it says that we will be glorified at the return of Jesus Christ!

* Speaking of the final step of our salvation, listen to what the Bible says about our glorification in I Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 35:

1 Corinthians 15:35–57 (KJV 1900)

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

* Now let’s return back to Romans chapter 8 and verse 30.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

* What the apostle Paul is saying here is that because of God’s foreknowledge of all things past, present, and future, God has determined ahead of time, according to the bible, before the foundations of the world were made…

* God way back then, determined that He would call everyone who obeyed the Gospel by placing their faith in Jesus Christ to Himself.

* Not only did He determine that he would give grace to these people, but He also determined that He would justify them.

* That is a legal term. It means that anyone who would place their faith in Jesus Christ, would be declared no longer guilty of sin, but made righteous by applying the righteousness of Jesus to them.

* That means that in the eyes of God, you are as righteous before as Jesus Christ! You have been declared that way by the Holy and Righteous God of the universe.

* Not only did god predetermine that everyone who comes to Jesus by faith would be declared righteous forever, but according to the apostle Paul God has predetermined, guaranteed,

* that everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ will without a doubt be glorified, and receive a glorified body to complete our salvation at the return of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28–30 (KJV 1900)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

* What Paul is saying here is that when you got saved, God set in motion his redemptive plan for you, and he will keep his plan of salvation in motion until He completely brings your salvation to pass!- all the way home to glory!

1 Corinthians 1:4–9 (KJV 1900)

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Philippians 1:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Jude 24–25 (KJV 1900)

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

* Paul is proving to you that you cannot lose your salvation because you have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

I. We cannot lose our salvation because we stand in the grace of God not in our own works.

II. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been loosed from the law that condemned us for our sin.

III. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

IV. We cannot lose our salvation because we have been predestined by God to be called, justified, and glorified.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

V. We cannot lose salvation because once joined to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

* Now there's only two possible ways hypothetically your salvation could be lost.

* It could only happen in two categories, or two areas...either it could be lost because of something done by a person or something done by a circumstance.

* That's all you can say, there's nothing more to say. Can some person or persons cause us to lose our salvation? Can some circumstance or circumstances cause us to lose our salvation?

* Those are the only two possibilities. So, in verses 31 to 34 Paul answers the question: can you lose your salvation by the influence of a person?

Romans 8:31–39 (KJV 1900)

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

* And in verses 35 to 39 he answers the question: can you lose your salvation by the influence of circumstances? It's a very simple outline.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

* I quote John Macarthur again:

* “I am convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that it is the studied and prepared agenda of many professors and universities in this nation to do everything they can with impressionable young Christians to sever them from Christ.

* I'm sure the culture would like to do that.

* I'm pretty confident that all of those who are trying to indoctrinate us with this immoral, Godless approach to life would like to sever us from Christ.

* There is a sweeping movement in America to paint Christians as some kind of bizarre troublesome people who stand I the way of their liberties that are provided for in the Constitution.

* The legalists would like to separate us from Christ. The cults would like to separate us from Christ. False teachers would like to separate us from Christ! –unquote

* Paul says that everything in the Devil’s kingdom of darkness upon this sin-filled earth desires to separate God’s saved, redeemed, justified and soon to be glorified people, from the love of God-

* The Devil would love to convince you that you can lose your salvation, but the apostle Paul says it cannot be done!

* Nothing can ever separate God’s elect from his unconditional love- ever!

Conclusion:

* The bottom line then, we have to conclude that there isn't any human, including ourselves, that could ever interrupt the plan of salvation that God is performing in us.

* Because God is continuously working his plan of salvation in us, no person, and no circumstance can ever separate us from God and undo, reverse, or cancel our salvation.

* He's going to make sure He takes care of maintaining the salvation of every believer until they get all the way to glory!

* The theme of the entire book of Romans is that God will continue to see work of redemption in us all the way to the end.

* In order to do that He has to take the "all things" of life and make them work out for our good and our salvation.

* Paul is saying “if God works all together for the good of those that have been saved, then how could you possible lose your salvation?

* To deny the biblical doctrine of the Eternal Security of the believer is to misunderstand the work of redemption, and the love of God.