The Doctrine of Salvation
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Country singer Aaron Tippin sang a song that had this line in it: “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything!” We must ground ourselves in doctrine that matters and doctrine that is true. Hopefully, this what has happened here. This study we have embarked on has hopefully given us insight on the way God loves us. We have studied the Doctrine of the Triune God or Trinity and seen how God manifests Himself to us as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. We have studied the Doctrine of Scripture and have seen how His Holy Word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. Both of these great doctrines point God’s love for us more than any other! It is the Doctrine of Salvation. Not only do we need to understand it for our own faith, we should be able to share it with others. Most Christians are a bit uneasy about sharing their faith. According to a recent survey, people don’t share their faith because they are afraid to do so. They are fearful that it might mess up the relationship. They are fearful they do not know how. They are also fear they will say the wrong thing or not be able to answer all the questions someone might have about faith in Christ. The Doctrine of Salvation is not what we say or don’t say. It is not about us at all. Over the years I have had conversations with people that were of different faiths and they tried to convert me over to their way. They would have well thought out answers to my questions as they were trained and well-versed. I would always stump them when I asked them about their personal relationship with Jesus. We get caught up in saying the right things. According to Romans 1, it’s the gospel, not our well-thought-out answers, that is God’s power for salvation.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
It is not me. The power of God makes salvation possible! You and I only need to know four principles in understanding the Doctrine of Salvation. We can see them through out the Bible, but I want to show you this doctrine in what I think is the simplest form and found in one book, the Book of Romans. First look at God’s purpose.
God’s Purpose (Romans 1:7b)
God’s Purpose (Romans 1:7b)
In Paul’s introduction in this letter to the Church at Rome, he declares the purpose of God.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s purpose is for us to be in fellowship with Him. You and I were designed to be in fellowship with God. The Bible says that we are created in His image. Genesis 1:27
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God desires for us to experience His grace. Just a reminder, grace is that which God gives us which is undeserved. We have sung that it is amazing, marvelous and wonderful! We are also told that His grace is sufficient for us.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
His sufficient grace gives us incredible peace. The God of peace wants us to know His peace and desires that as part of fellowship with Him.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God desires for us to be associated with His Glory that is manifested in His grace and peace. However, God’s purpose for us is messed up because of our problem.
Our Problem (Romans 3:23)
Our Problem (Romans 3:23)
Even though we were created in the image of God, we were given freedom of choice. This was evident in the first man Adam. Adam chose a way that was disobedient to God’s plan. Sin cut Adam off of being in God’s glory and sin still cuts all his descendants off as well. As a result, all mankind is subject to death. Sin defined is anything that separates us from our Holy God. Isaiah 59:2
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
That phrase, “all have sinned,” sums up the human tragedy. We all miss the mark. In fact, Romans 3:10-18 show us the details of our sin.
No one is righteous
No one can understand God
All have turned away and become worthless
There is no one that does good
Tongues are used to practice deceit
People are swift to do ungodly acts
There is no fear of God
One might argue that there are degrees of sin. Bishop Handley Moule wrote: “The harlot, the liar, the murderer are short of the mark and full of sin, but so are you. Perhaps they stand at the bottom of the lowest point of a mine, and you on the crest of an alp; but you are as little able to touch the stars as they!”
We all fall short of the glory of God. Yet, despite our problem, God have given us a provision.
God’s Provision (Romans 5:8)
God’s Provision (Romans 5:8)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The word “demonstrates” means that God magnified His love and made it illustrious! In one act, God demonstrates His love.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
It is a love that keeps on going. God’s love is greater than all of the world’s sin combined. The person that believes in Jesus is given a new identity.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
In Christ, we have a new identity, a new lineage, and a new heritage. Just as that of Jesus Christ, we are transferred to a new royal priesthood.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
That wonderful light leads with a love that God reconciles the world and our sins are not held against us anymore!
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
God provides for us the opportunity of all opportunities. He gives a chance to live with Christ now and then to live with Him forever.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
God does all this for you and me, yet He still gives us the opportunity to choose.
“God loves because of what He is, not because of what we are. There is nothing in sinners to call forth the love of God.” —Leon Morris
We see God’s purpose. We see our problem. We see God’s provision. Yet, we, you and I, still have to respond.
Our Response (Romans 10:9)
Our Response (Romans 10:9)
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This leads to what some call the “ABC’s” of salvation. We have well established that all fall short. We indeed are all sinners. 1 John 1:8
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
We must first admit that we are sinners. 1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Both of these verses use the word confess. It means to acknowledge and commit to trusting. It is similar to an oath and it is a call to be made publically. We confess with our mouth that which we believe in our hearts. It is the overflow from our hearts that come out of our mouths.
So the question becomes, what do you believe? I have started many conversations with folks over the years by simply asking that question. Then I listen to what they say. As the opportunity rises, I personalize this and share what I have learned about this Doctrine of Salvation. Utilizing the Roman Road, I am able to share my faith and point others to Christ. We are called as Christians to do this. Our world needs this hope more than ever.
Simply put, God loves us and has a purpose for us. However, our problem is this thing called sin. The Bible says Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
However, because of God’s love, He has provided for us a way to approach Him.
The Bible says in Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God’s great love is always available to us, but we must choose to receive it.
The Bible says Romans 10:9
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
It is that simple!
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
I made that decision as an 8 year old boy well over 50 years ago! It has been the best decision of my life. By the way, I know that I am in the palm of the hand of my Savior.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
The Doctrine of Salvation is Good, Good News! What have you done with that Good, God News?