Saved to the Uttermost

Hebrews 7:25

Introduction

We live in a day of rampant confusion concerning spiritual matters. It seems that very few people understand the truth about God's way of saving the human soul. In fact, asking a dozen different people will often produce as many ideas regarding what saves and what doesn't. For instance:

1. Ask an Atheist and he will say, “There is no God and there is no need to be saved.”

2. Ask a Moralist and he will say, “Be a good person and do good for others and you will be saved.”

3. Ask a Religionist and he will say, “Do what your church tells you, be a good person and you will be saved.”

4. Ask a Legalist and he will say, “Keep this set of rules and do as you are commanded by your Pastor and you will be saved.”

5. Ask a man by the name of Paul, who used to fit into three of the above categories, but who is now saved by grace and he will say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

6. Ask God and He will say, “Ye must be born again!”

This verse tells the truth about God's plan of salvation. It tells us how it works and what it does for the sinners and saints. It sets the record straight and it teaches a truth that we must not miss! This verse teaches us that those who grasp the truth about how God's plan of salvation works are “saved to the uttermost!” That is what I want to preach about this morning. Let's think together about that glorious thought: Saved To The Uttermost!

I. God has a Plan to Save

“Them…that come”

A. It’s A Costly Plan (Mark 10:45)

Heaven's glory came to this earth in the form of a servant, Phil. 2:5-8, then He went to a cross where He paid the ransom price in blood that sinners might be saved, Isa. 53:4-6; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

B. It’s A Completed Plan (John 19:30)

This plan, was devised by God and needs no revision. It does not have to be updated like your software, wardrobe or automobile. It will never have to be revised, redone or repaired, it is complete and finished forever, Heb. 9:12.

It’s perfect and it is complete and it will bring salvation to all those who receive it by faith! It’s a very simple plan! So simple in fact that many people stumble right over it! It’s as simple as believing and as easy as trusting, Rom. 10:9; John 6:47. It is so easy that it stands as a stumbling block to many - 1 Cor. 1:18, 23-24!

C. It’s A Controversial Plan (John 14:6)

This plan is so controversial because it’s a very narrow plan. In fact, it is so narrow that God only knows one way for sinners to be saved, and that is through the sacrifice of His son the Lord Jesus Christ! ⇒ Acts 4:12! There is no plan B. There is no alternative. There is nothing else for those who believe differently.

There is one plan for all men and if you go to Heaven, you will go through this plan! God doesn't care how good you may be. Salvation is not merited by works, Eph. 2:8-9. God isn't impressed by your sincerity! Salvation does not come to those who mean well, ⇒ The Pharisee and the Publican - Luke 18! God doesn't care if you are black, white, red, yellow or brown. He doesn't care if you are Muslim, Hindu, Baptist, Mormon, or Catholic. He only knows one plan of salvation for all men!

II. God has Power to Save

“He is able…”

A. The Lord has the Power to Call You

John 6:44 - He has the power to reach into the darkness of the human soul and show the sinner his or her need of a big God! You see, people don't just wake up one day and decide to get saved! Salvation is a result of God's power being exerted on your behalf and that has accrued since the foundation of the world!

God provided a Savior, Rev. 13:8. He sent His Spirit into the world to do the work of conviction, John 16:7-11. He loved you when you were unlovable, Rom. 5:8. Like He did with Lazarus, John 11:43-44! He has the power to come to you in the tomb of your sin and cry “Come forth!” When He does, you will come to Him! That's the kind of power that redeems sinners!

B. The Lord has the Power to Cleanse You

1 John 1:7 - When God's plan is received, His power moves in our heart and does a cleansing work whereby every stain and blemish of sin is forever removed from your life. It is a brand new birth! You get a fresh start. Yesterday with all its pain, failures, sins and shortcomings are now gone forever, we have been washed whiter than snow in the precious blood of the Lamb, Rev. 1:5; Psalm 103:12; Isa. 38:17; 43:25; Jer. 50:20; Micah 7:19!

C. The Lord has the Power to Change You

2 Cor. 5:17 - Thus far we have talked about God's power as it worked in the past and as it works in the hidden recesses of the heart. But, His power also manifests itself in our person's life's. You see, you cannot enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and remain the same!

Ask the blind man in John 9. Ask the adulterous woman in John 8. Ask Bartimaeus, ask the lepers, ask His disciples, ask the woman with the issue of blood, ask Mary Magdalene! Ask any of the millions who have met Him over the passing ages and they will all testify to the fact of His life changing power! Wait, just ask anyone around you and, if they are saved, they will testify to the life changing power of our Lord,Jesus Christ

!

III. God has Promised to Save

“To save”

A. God’s Promise is His Word

Save! - The word means “to save, to keep safe and sound; to rescue from danger and destruction.” That is what Jesus does when He saves a soul! He saves them from:

1. God saves us from the deadness of our sins - Eph. 2:1

2. God saves us from the wrath of God - Rom. 5:9 and the torments of Hell!

3. God saves us from a wasted life that ends in tragedy - Luke 16:19-31

4. God saves us from self-destruction and self-deception - Pro. 16:25

When God saves a soul, He does it right! They are safe and sound. They are delivered. They are saved!

B. His Promise is His Work

1 John 2:2 - The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is our Intercessor! That is, He stands in for us in Heaven! The word literally means, “to fall in with.” It is a picture of One Who comes alongside another to help in times of distress and trial. Jesus is our Man in Heaven! He is the perfect representation of the human race. He occupies His place at the Father's right hand to ensure that we have the resources we need to make it through our journey down here!

This should not be taken to mean that Jesus is continually praying for us or that He is continually offering His blood for us. His presence in Heaven is our prayer and it is the answer too! The blood was applied once for all and never needs to be repeated again! His presence in Heaven as our Advocate gives the saints absolute assurance that they too will be there some day, Col. 3:3!

C. His Promise is His Will

John 6:37-40 - The Bible tells us that He is “able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” The word uttermost means “Completely, perfectly, utterly and forever!” It gives the image of eternal salvation! In fact, Jesus Himself told us that it was the Father's will to get us all Home, John 6:37-40. Jesus also said that the same was His will also, John 17:24.

What I am trying to get you to see is that if you are truly saved, then you are saved to the uttermost! You are heaven bound and nothing can stop it, 1 Pet. 1:5; John 10:28. (Note: Here is where many people find fault with Baptists. We talk about our “eternal security” and use it as a license to commit sin! Friends, that ought never be! When we are saved, we are to make an intentional break with the world and all its allurements.

A so-called Christian who walks in open sin and claims an eternal relationship with God is a liar!) (Note: This verse is often misquoted. People will say that we are “saved FROM the uttermost.” Well, I am thankful for all that God saved me from, to think of it is wonderful! However, I am even more thankful for what He saved me to! I am saved to “be His son”; to “Walk with Him”; to “go to His heaven.” I am like Paul, I want to leave the past behind me and reach forward to all that God has for me in my tomorrow, Phil. 3:13-14. I am ready to forget the past and live for the future!)

Conclusion

What is the conclusion of the whole matter? God's plan of salvation has the power to save to the uttermost everyone who comes to Him through Jesus Christ! You see, the whole point of this portion of Hebrews is to show how the Lord Jesus, as our Great High Priest, is absolutely superior to the Old Testament priesthood. Here is how:

1. The Old Testament priesthood was only temporary. A man could only serve until he died. Jesus has already gone through death and He will never die again, Rev. 1:18.

2. The Old Testament priest could save no one. Our text verse told us that Jesus is “Able to save to the uttermost”. He has power that no earthly priest can ever have. He possesses the power to save souls!

3. The Old Testament priest was never finished with his work. Jesus finished His work on the cross and sat down at His Father's right hand, Heb. 10:12.

4. The Old Testament priest could only enter the presence of God once per year and then only with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. Jesus Christ continually abides in His Father's presence as the representative of the redeemed!