You and Your Salvation
March 04, 2007
Mike Larsen
Adult Sunday School
1 John 5:13
Open your Bible to: 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God”.
Introduction: I once heard it said that there are four different categories of people that go to church every week in this world. The first person is that individual who is truly Christian – someone who has genuinely put their trust in Jesus Christ as their sole means of making it to Heaven. They are aware that their relationship with God was only created by virtue of the fact that Jesus died for them. The second person that enters the doors of the church today is an individual who THINKS that they are a Christian, but, in reality, are not.
“[They are] someone sitting at a departure gate in an airport, ticket gripped firmly in fist. Everyone in the waiting area is planning on getting on a plane…however, one of these people has no idea that the ticket he purchased is bogus – he was sold a counterfeit ticket.”
The second person is just like this individual. They hold in their hands a bogus ticket to Heaven. When they actually reach the “boarding areas,” they will discover that they have made an eternal transaction with the wrong agency. The third church-going person – though they are a Christian – lives with little confidence in their spiritual walk with God. These people have an improper view of God. These are the type of people “who have a legitimate ticket but who still fear that the plane is going to leave without them.” They are insecure in their faith. And, lastly, the fourth person who is not at all a follower of Jesus. They enter the church doors curious about what God says and what it means to be a Christian – but are not yet ready to make that decision. Though seeking and curious, they have not yet experienced the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we begin our Discipleship series we will begin with the Assurance of salvation which is the beginning of our walk with God. Discipleship is for a person who is a believer of course so we must start with the new birth!
I. The most important thing
A.
Where we stand
with God is the most crucial relationship we will ever have to deal with in
this life. The eternal destination of an individual’s soul is of primary
importance and that can only be arranged for in this worldly realm. (Much to
the dismay of those who believe in PURGATORY, after we die, it is certainly too
late to make any more arrangements!) Heb 9:27 We see here that a man
dies and then immediately he enters into judgment. On the other hand 2 Cor
5:6-8 tells us that when we are absent from the body we are present with
the Lord.
Yes, your eternal destiny is more vital than financial security, more
important than your career choice, and more crucial than your choice of
churches, there is no subject as extremely pressing as one’s eternal status
with God. It was Jesus who said in Mark 8:36 “FOR WHAT WILL IT PROFIT A
MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSES HIS OWN SOUL”? So as you evaluate
your own priorities, which do you figure you place more priority on and time
in: eternity or possessions?
II.
You
can know if you have it. FOR SURE!
A.
A true
Christian can confidently say, “I know I am going to heaven”. Many religious
people would reject that statement. They have no idea if they are going to
heaven or not. The reason is because they are never sure if they have been
good enough or not. They are holding on to the teaching of their church or
other ideas and can really never be sure until they are on the other side.
What a tragic way to go through life. No our God does not leave us in that
condition. He tells us in His word that we can know that we have eternal life.
Let’s look at what the scripture says about this
John 3:16 – Believers shall have everlasting life (Shall have)
John 3:18 – We are not condemned
Rom 10:13 … call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. (not maybe)
John 6:37 – Jesus promises not to cast us out
Rom 8:14-17 The Spirit gives us peace that we are children of God
1 john 5:13 – That you may know that you have eternal life.
Rom 8:38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
John 10:27-29 Jesus says nothing can pluck us from his hand
John chapter 17 verse 20. Jesus prays specifically for you
Yes, the believer can know for sure that he has eternal life.
III. Why did we need it?
A.
Rom 3:23 – For all have sinned and come
short of the Glory of God. There is none righteous no not one the scripture
says. Sin came into the world through the 1st man Adam when he
sinned against God. Rom 5:12 Since we are the offspring of Adam we are
born in sin and the curse of sin has passed upon all men. As a result we are
separated from God spiritually since He is holy and can accept no
sin whatsoever. Our sin created a “great gulf” between us and God that could
not be bridged. We were in jeopardy of spending eternity separated from God in
a place called hell that was created for the devil and his “angels”. Look at Matthew
25:41. Angels are messengers. Hell was created for the Devil and
his messengers but wait a minute. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is
against me”. He also told a group of people that they were of their father the
devil! John 8:44. Either a person is of God or they are messengers of
the Devil and that makes Hell made for them as well.
B.
It was not
just Adam’s sin that condemned us was it? We ourselves have rejected God. We
did not love him with our whole heart either. Adam sinned first because he was
the first man. If you were the first man or first woman we would be mad at you
right now! The fact is that each of us has, and does, sin against the Holy God
who created us. Each of us was rebellious in our hearts and wanted to live for
ourselves. After all that God in His love had given man and look how we treat
Him! That makes each of us guilty and deserving of the judgment. That is why
we needed salvation!
IV. What is it?
A.
It is a free
gift offered by the same loving God we rebelled against
John 3:16 God so loved us that He gave his only begotten Son
Eph 2:8-9 Free gift and not of works. Man can not earn it
It is GRACE – Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense, Un-merited favor
B.
It makes us
part of the family of God.
John 1:12 We become sons of God
Rom 8:14 If you hear His voice and are led, you are a son of God
Gal 4:5-6 We are adopted and heirs of the promise
Heb 12:7-8
1 John 3:1-2
C.
It delivers us
from the fear of death and gives us everlasting life
Heb 2: 9-17
1 Cor 15:51-58
Conclusion: How do you obtain it? We will answer that vitally important question next week!