Sermon Title: Soteriology – Doctrine of Salvation
Sermon Notes: 12 & 19 March 2023
Big Idea of the Series
This series is for all of us who are constantly being challenged in our faith by messages in our culture that leaves us wrestling with our own questions about Jesus and the validity of our faith.
This series will equip us and help us begin to build a strong theological foundation for our faith.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Big Idea of the Series
Jesus is our ONLY salvation and redemption.
Soteriology (so-te-ri-ol-o-gy) – Doctrine of Salvation
SALVATION means deliverance from sin and its consequences, which include death, doom, and ruin. Salvation is the work of God by which He rescues us through Christ, who died on the cross and rose again. Salvation involves the removal of sin, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the adoption as God’s children, the participation in a new creation, and the inheritance of eternal life and glory. Salvation is based on faith in Christ and His grace, not on human works or merit.
In the Bible, REDEMPTION has the basic meaning of “buying back” something that was lost, by paying a price or a ransom. The price that Jesus paid with His life was the ransom for those who believe in Him. Redemption is an act of God’s grace, by which He rescues and restores His people from sin, evil, trouble, bondage, and death.
Six Principles for God’s Plan of Salvation:
1. Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY to Eternal Salvation
Acts 4:12 (nkjv) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
1 Timothy 2:5 (nkjv) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (nkjv) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
John 14:6 (nkjv) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 10:9-10 (nkjv) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 11:25 (nkjv) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 8:12 (nkjv) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 6:35 (nkjv) And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6:51 (nkjv) I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
John 3:14-17 (nkjv) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:36 (nkjv) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 8:24 (nkjv) Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
John 5:24 (nkjv) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
1 John 5:10b-11 (nkjv) God has given His Son…11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
1 John 4:14-15 (nkjv) 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
2. God Desires ALL MEN to be Saved
1 Timothy 2:3-6a (nkjv) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all…
2 Peter 3:9 (nkjv) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 10:11-13 (nkjv) For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
3. We Are Saved by GRACE Through FAITH – Not Works
Ephesians 2:8-9 (nkjv) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Galatians 2:16 (nkjv) knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, … for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Romans 3:20-23 (nkjv) Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
4. The Gift of Salvation Now Makes Us Righteous Before God the Father
2 Corinthians 5:21 (nkjv) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Romans 5:8-9 (nkjv) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:18-19 (nkjv) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
5. HOW To Become SAVED and Receive the GIFT of Eternal Salvation
Do you know Christ as your Savior? It’s as simple as ABC!
A. ADMIT you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23 (nkjv) “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
Romans 5:12 (nkjv) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
B. BELIEVE in Jesus Christ for Salvation.
John 3:16 (nkjv) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
Romans 5:8 (nkjv) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9 (nkjv) If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
C. CONFESS through prayer – invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior.
Romans 10:10 (nkjv) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 (nkjv) For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
READ AND PRAY THIS PRAYER:
“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me. I invite You to come and live within my heart. I want You to be my Savior and Lord, which means You are first in my life. I want to repent and turn away from everything that You call sin. I believe you are the sinless Son of God, You died on the cross for my sins, was buried and rose again. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”
6. Become a FISHERMAN for God
Matthew 4:19 (nkjv) And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (nkjv) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 5:14-16 (nkjv) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 20:21(nkjv) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Who is Jesus to you?
He is the unique Son of God!
He is the only way to God and Heaven!
