Sermon Central
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Once Saved, Always Saved? Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 2, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish the saints indeed can fall from the grace of God. This lesson refutes the notion: “Once saved, always saved.” Our eternal salvation is promised, but we must continually strive to make: “our calling and election sure.” Peter, tells us how this is possible.
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INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Once saved, always saved?
Introductory Remarks.
1. In this lesson today, we will be discussing the theme: “Once Saved, Always Saved?" This will become the thirteenth lesson in the sermon-series entitled: "Re-digging in Old Wells." There will be many others bearing this title. We are re-digging in old wells to obtain Isaiah's promise: "With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation," Isaiah 12:3. There are times we must re-dig in old wells to obtain the joy found in the: "waters of salvation." This sermon type is called: "textual preaching." In these lessons, our goal will be: "to dig a little deeper" in the text of emphasis. We will allow the writer, the characters in the verses, and the Master's words to shed new meaning to His words of eternal life, John 6:63; John 10:10.
2. We will consider this question is a man: " Once saved, always saved?” By this, we mean: Can a person be saved and always saved, regardless of what kind of life they lead after being saved by the grace of God? Is there such a thing as: "Once saved, always saved?" We will re-dig in old wells to find a biblical answer. Ulysses Shields called this kind of teaching: "digging a little deeper" in the word of truth. He was my grandfather in Christ. We will use this scripture as a foundational text for this sermon-series: "And Isaac re-dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham...for the Philistines had stopped them (closed them up) after Abraham's death," Genesis 26:18. The Philistines: "Stopped them, and filled them with earth," because they envied Isaac's possessions, Genesis 26:14-15.
3. Our text of emphasis reads like this: "Christ has become no effect unto you, whosoever are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace,” Galatians 5:4. This theme may be troubling to the readers and hearers of this lesson. Still, Calvinist preachers and teachers advocate: "The elect of God has been predestined to salvation, regardless of their lives after their call of faith into God’s grace.” We will do a thorough investigation of this teaching in the lesson. However, it is essential to consider every text within the context of the scriptures. With God’s help, we will do just that, to draw: “New water from old wells.” With this introduction, let’s consider this topic carefully, with both our bibles and hearts opened unto the living God.
BODY OF LESSON
I ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED?
A. Preliminary work. Before we dig into the text of emphasis. It is advisable to do some preliminary work before embarking on a topic such as this one. This is not a lesson for “babes” but for those capable of “eating strong meat” or: trained to “discern between good and evil,” Hebrews 5:12-14. We’ll begin with Paul's somber (or grave) warning to the Hebrew saints. He wrote: “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip…For if the word spoken by angels…How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation…according to His own will?" Hebrews 2:1-4. Text shortened for brevity. Let’s consider Paul’s somber warning in this text. Consider,
1. First, “Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we let them slip," Hebrews 2:1. As saints of God, we ought to think about these things constantly to not let them slip from our minds or proximate view, James 1:22-27.
2. Further, "For if the word spoken by angels (God’s angelic hosts) was steadfast, every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward," Hebrews 2:2.
a. Under the Old Covenant, no disobedience or transgressions were overlooked, Hebrews 12:25. All received a just recompense of reward. Would not the same be valid under the New Covenant?
b. God has not committed to any under either Covenant, the liberty to sin without issuing a just recompense of reward. There is a reward for habitual sinning under this Covenant. Paul again,
c. For the “wage(s) of sin is (are) death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:18-20. God’s penalty for sin is death! Spiritual separation from Him, Isaiah 59:1-2.
3. Next, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him," Hebrews 2:3. How can the believers think that they will escape the Judgment of God? How could they think their neglect of this great salvation would not go unpunished? The great salvation has begun with the Lord and confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, the apostles of Christ. They continued preaching this message of hope and salvation into all the nations, Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:5.
