SF002 - WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED (Acts 16 30)
Acts 16:30
Introduction
In the text before us the jailer asks life most important question, “What must I do to be saved?”
The Bible is written to answer this question.
1A. The Bible tells us that eternal is a result of God’s grace
Heaven is a free gift (Romans 6:23)
Heaven is not earned or deserved
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Friends Gift
We can never do enough “good” things or avoid doing enough “bad” things to ever deserve heaven.
2A. This can be seen more clearly when we understand what the Bible says about man.
Man is a sinner
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight…
Sin defined – use the Law
Three sins a Day
Man cannot save himself
Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Omelet with a Bad Egg
Because God’s standard is absolute perfection, we cannot fulfill God’s requirements.
Our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2)
3A. This comes into sharper focus when we Look at what the Bible says about God.
God is the holy and loving creator
Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…
God, by His own choice and for His own pleasure, created and sustains us.
Therefore, we are completely dependent on Him for everything we have.
He created us to reflect His nature, but because of our sin we fail to do so.
God is merciful (1 John 4:8b)
One of the greatest expressions of God’s love is the fact that He withholds His punishment for our sins.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
God is just
Exodus 34:7 (God) by no means (will) clear the guilty….”
Because God is merciful, He has not dealt with us according to our sin.
However, God is just and therefore is bound by His very nature to judge sin.
Indeed, every sin will be judged, and God holds each of us personally responsible for his sin.
Our problem is that we can do nothing to satisfy God’s justice.
4A. God solved this problem in the person of Jesus Christ.
Who He is
Christ is the infinite God-Man (John 1:1, 14)
Jesus is the Word of God. He has always existed as part of the eternal trinity. He is equal with God in every way.
Yet He became a man in order to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
What He did
Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in heaven for us.
Record Book of Sin (Isaiah 53:6)
5A. The Bible teaches us that saving faith is the key to heaven.
Saving faith is not mere head knowledge (James 2:19)
Saving faith is not mere temporal faith
Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life
Acts 16:31 “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved….”
Saving faith requires that we turn from our sin and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only way of salvation. (John 14:6)
The Chair
Beggar’s Han d and Gratitude
Commitment
Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?
Let me clarify what this involves?
Repent of your sins
Luke 13:3 …unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Repentance means turning from your sin and sin nature and turning to God. (Psalm 51).
Ask: Are you ready and willing for God to bring true repentance into your life and turn you toward Him?
Transfer your trust
Transfer your trust from yourself to Christ alone.
Ask: Are you willing to turn from what you have been trusting and transfer all your hope of heaven upon Christ?
Receive Christ
As your personal Savior (John 1:12).
As your Lord.
Ask: Are you willing to receive Christ as your Savior and give Him full control of your life?
Pray to God
Ask for God’s mercy and help
Ask God to help them repent and believe.
Ask God to forgive their sins and give them eternal life.
Tell Jesus they want Him to be the Lord of their life.
Publicly confess your faith in Christ
Romans 10:9-10
Acts 2:41