How To Be Saved

Introduction: Remark about trying to order what I want at Charlie’s Chicken and getting it but could have gotten the Family Deal that came with so much more. Remark about complicated instructions.

I. Wrong Instructions (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.)

a. Be good (do more good than bad)

i. Psa 14:3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

ii. Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;

b. Be baptized

II. Confusing Instructions (Mat 23:4 "They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger)

a. Must believe this or that about creation or the Second Coming or unimportant (to salvation) doctrines.

b. Must follow the Ten Commandments

i. Gal 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

c. Making it “fire insurance” instead of a response to God through Jesus.

III. God’s Instructions

a. Confess (say out loud) (you can say it out loud but not truly believe it)

b. Believe (there must first be faith in the heart before there can be an acceptable confession with the mouth.)

c. Acts 16:27-31

Invitation: Are you afraid we’re going to kick you out of church? Will church members be standing with you before God? No! It will be Jesus! Where were you when you were saved? Can you remember?