The Salvation of the Gospel

by R.J. Stevens

Introduction:

Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

  1. Romans 1:16 - "Unto salvation"
  2. Hebrews 2:3 - "The great salvation"
  3. What is meant by salvation?
  1. Saves The Soul
    1. 1 Peter 1:9
    2. The value of the soul?
      1. God gave it.  Eccl. 12:7; Ezekiel 18:4
      2. Gives the body life.  James 2:26; Luke 8:54-55
      3. Can be renewed day by day.  2 Cor. 4:16
      4. Blessed at death.  2 Cor. 5:6, 8
      5. Valuable.  Mark 8:36-37
    3. Why souls need salvation?
      1. Because of sin.  Ezekiel 18:20
      2. All have sinned.  Romans 3:23
      3. Sin is transgression of God's will.  1 John 3:4; James 4:17
    4. How can the soul be saved?
      1. By the gospel of Christ.  Romans 1:16
      2. The law of the Lord.  Psalm 19:7
      3. Only God's word can penetrate the soul.  Hebrews 4:12
    5. When does the gospel save the soul?
      1. When the gospel is believed.  Rom. 1:16-17; Mark 16:15-16
      2. When the gospel is obeyed.  Rom. 6:17-18; 1 Peter 1:22-25
      3. Jesus tells us.  Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47
      4. Consider the examples in Acts.  Acts 2:40-41; 8:12, 35-39; 9; 10; 16; 18
      5. Matthew 13:15 - A physician will not heal you if you reject his remedy.
      6. When was Naaman cleansed of his leprosy?  2 Kings 5:9-14
      7. When did the blind man receive his sight?  John 9:7
  2. The Sacrifices Made for our Salvation
    1. God gave His Son.  John 3:16
    2. Christ gave His life.  1 John 3:16
    3. The apostles of Christ gave their lives.  2 Cor. 11:23-28; 1 Cor. 9:18-23
  3. What the Gospel Saves Us From and Saves Us To
    1. From death to life.  James 5:19-20
    2. From the guilt of sin to forgiveness of sins.  1 Cor. 6:9-11;  Colossians 1:14
    3. From darkness to light - From the power of Satan to God - From sins guilt to forgiveness - From aliens to heirs of God.  Acts 26:16-20
    4. From everlasting condemnation to everlasting life.  John 3:15-18, 36
    5. What a great salvation!

Conclusion:

  1. The salvation of the gospel is great!
  2. It saves the soul.
  3. When a soul believes and obeys the gospel, the Lord saves that soul.
  4. Great sacrifices were made to make this salvation possible.
  5. It saves us from death, guilt, darkness, and eternal condemnation.

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