The Nature of Salvation

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

A 60 year old couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary were unexpectedly surprised by an angel who offered to grant each a wish as an anniversary present. The wife went first and wished that she could travel the world and see the great sites of the globe. Poof! When the smoke cleared, in her hands she grasped plane tickets to the worlds great tourist sites. The husband went second, he thought for a moment and wished that he had a wife 30 years younger than him. Poof! When the smoke cleared, the man was 90 years old.

Introduction

Arthur W. Pink in his book “Studies in the Scriptures” writes, “Th nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by present-day evangelist. He announces a Saviour from Hell rather than a Saviour from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness. Today in our message we will explore Paul’s words to the church in Corinth as we discover the Nature of Salvation

Today we begin a year long journey of hiding God’s Word in our hearts as, “We remember His words.” And there is no better place to begin that with the message of Salvation.

During the month of January we will study four passages of Scripture that will help us and those we witness to better understand the truths of Salvation.

We begin with 2 Corinthians 5:17. In this final letter of four written to the Church in Corinth Paul defends his apostleship and in Chapter 5 defines his motives, his message and his methods. At the crux of his message are the truths contained in our memory verse today. This verse presents 4 truths that illuminate the nature of Salvation, Let’s look at them together.

Body

Salvation’s Requirement - “In Christ”

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

· If anyone is In Christ

· What does it mean to be “in Christ”

John 15:5 KJV 1900

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

· How can we abide in Him?

Abide in his Word –

John 8:31–32 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Abide in Prayer

John 15:7 KJV 1900

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Abide in Fellowship

John 13:34–35 KJV 1900

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Abide in Witnessing

John 15:8 KJV 1900

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Salvation’s Ramification - New Creature

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 KJV 1900

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 2:15 KJV 1900

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Salvation’s Reaction - Passed Away

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 6:11 KJV 1900

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:3 KJV 1900

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Salvation’s Result - Become New

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ezekiel 11:19 KJV 1900

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Revelation 21:5 KJV 1900

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Conclusion

What is the true Nature of Salvation?

Is it nothing more than fire insurance?

Or did Christ come to give you more

John 10:10 KJV 1900

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.

The True Nature of Salvation is found...

…in it’s requirement - to be in Christ

…in it’s ramification - to be a new Creature

…in it’s Reaction - old things are passed away

…in it’s Result - all things become new

If this is what you desire, then I invite you to be saved today.

Simple as A, B, C.

You say pastor I have been saved. Then live like it don’t be satisfied with mediocrity live in him, be a new creature, put the old man to death, and become truly alive in Christ today! Today you can make more than a resolution you can experience Redemption in all it’s fullness, as we sing you come.