Articles IX, X, XI & XII: Salvation and the Lost

John 3:1-7

Over the past several Sunday evenings we have been studying the articles of faith of our church. I want to continue this study. In articles IX - XII , we have a summation of what we believe about salvation of the lost. Today we want to cover briefly each of these articles pointing out our Scriptural position on them. We need to realize that others may use the same terminology that we do, but they often do not define it the same way.

For example: the term 'born again' has been applied to all sorts of situations and individuals. From presidents to pornographers, from rock stars to IU's basketball team, and yet the truth of the Word of God does not always square up with many who claim the experience.

According to the religious world in which we live, there are thousands of ways of getting to heaven. The vast majority of these, although different in many ways in particular, all promote salvation through working, doing, or achieving in the efforts of the flesh. Tonight, we want to consider what we believe about salvation, and why we believe it.

I. Salvation Necessitates a New Birth.

III. Salvation: past, present, and future is all of Grace. cf Ephesians 2:8

III. Salvation Brings Justification.

IV. There Can Be No Salvation Without Repentance and Faith.

Salvation is such an important subject that I do not want anyone to misunderstand what the Bible teaches about it. God's Word teaches us that everyone of us must be born again, that salvation is all of grace, that one who accepts Christ is justified before God and that we must exercise repentance and faith toward Christ.

Do you know Christ as your Savior? Have you turned from sin and placed your faith in Christ? Have you accepted God's free gift to you? You can today! "...Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." cf. 2 Co. 6:2b

If you have a need, I invite you to come to this altar and meet with God. Are you concerned about your spiritual relationship with God? What about your family and friends, do they understand Biblical salvation? Come today.