Life Application BIBLE Handbook God’s Gift: SALVATION (Spiritual birth, Conversion, Rescue) What is the salvation that God offers us? BIBLE Reading: MATTHEWS 1:18-25 Key BIBLE Verse: She will have a son and you are to name him Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins. (MATTHEW 1:21) SALVATION is something we can never accomplish on our own Jesus means, “Savior.” Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. ONLY JESUS can do that. Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Christ for His death on the cress for your sin, and then ask Him to take control of your life. Your new life begins at that moment. SALVATION is the assurance of God’s presence within us Jesus was to be called, “Immanuel” (“God is with us.”), as predicted by Isaiah the prophet (ISAIAH 7:14). Jesus was God in the flesh; thus God was literally among us, “within us”. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer. Perhaps not even Isaiah understood how far-reaching the meaning of Immanuel would be. BIBLE Reading: MATTHEW 7:7-14 Key BIBLE Verse: You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it! (MATTHEW 7:13-14) SALVATION is a single plan The gate that leads to eternal life (JOHN 10:7-9) is called “narrow”. This does not mean that it is difficult to be a Christian; but that there is only one road that leads to eternal life with God. Leaving this way may not be popular, but it is true and right. Thank God there is one way! BIBLE Reading: JOHN 3:1:21 Key BIBLE Verse: Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit. (JOHN 3:8) SALVATION is much done in our life by the Holy Spirit Jesus explained that we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works in ways we cannot predict or understand. Just as you did not control your physical birth, so you cannot control your spiritual birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14; 2:8-9). SALVATION is just more that knowing about Jesus The Jewish teacher of the Bible knew the Old Testament thoroughly but he didn’t understand what it said about the Messiah. Knowledge is not salvation. You should know the Bible, but even more important, you should understand the God whom the Bible reveals and the salvation that God offers. BIBLE Reading: JOHN 6:60-71 Key BIBLE Verses: Simon Peter replied, “LORD, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (JOHN 6:68-69) SALVATION is available only because of Christ After many of Jesus’ followers had deserted Him, he asked the twelve disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter replied, “To whom would we go?” In his straight forward ways, Peter answered for all of us – there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life except to Christ, the only source. Stay with him, especially, when you feel confused or alone. SALVATION is a matter of receiving or rejecting Christ There is no middle ground with Jesus. When he asked the disciples if they would also leave, he was showing that they could either accept, or, reject Him. Jesus was not trying to repel people with His teachings. He was simply telling the truth. The more the people heard Jesus’ message, the more they divided into two camps; the honest seekers who wanted to understand more, and those who rejected Jesus because they didn’t like what they heard. BIBLE Reading: EPHESIANS 2:1-10 Key BIBLE Verse: God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (EPHESIANS 2:8-9) SALVATION is a gift to be profoundly appreciated When someone gives you a gift, do you say, “That’s very nice – now how much do I owe you?” No, the appropriate response to a gift is, “Thank you!” Yet, how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because, our salvation, and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy. SALVATION can be earned We became Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or works we do to can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that, our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up the church (EPHESIANS 4:12) BIBLE Reading: LUKE 13:22-30 Key BIBLE Verse: Someone asked Him, “LORD, will only a few be saved?” He replied, “The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter.” (LUKE 13:23-24). SALVATION is not to be received lightly, or, casually Receiving salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously, we cannot save ourselves – there is no way we can work ourselves into God’s favor. The effort we must put out to enter through the narrow door is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever. Receiving SALVATION is a deep and total commitment The people are eager to know who is in God’s kingdom. Jesus explained that although many people know something about god, only a few have acknowledged their sins and accepted his forgiveness. Just listening to Jesus’ words, or admitting his miracles in not enough – we must turn from sin and trust in God to save us.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 21:17:08 +0000
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