SOME REASONS YOU MUST BE SAVED
Acts 16:22-31 W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: The activities of the prisoners and the earthquake were enough for the Philippian jailor to cry out asking, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Without an earthquake taking place, or the falling of a skyscraper, if you are here lost, I hope that you can still see your great need to be saved. It would be an awful thing for you to hear the Truth and to leave today, lost. God is still in the saving business. This past week, God saved three precious souls in the meeting that I was in. If you are here today, I will give you some reasons that you desperately need to be saved.
I. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DEBT THAT YOU CANNOT PAY…
A. The Prophets Teach Us This
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: Luke 1:70
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:23-29
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:21-23
B. The Priests Teach Us This
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Heb 5:1
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Heb 10:11
C. The Preachers Teach Us This
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:28
II. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GUILT THAT YOU NEED FORGIVEN…
A. We Are All Unclean
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Isaiah 1:16
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
B. We Are All Under Condemnation
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:18-21
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19
III. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GULF THAT YOU CANNOT SPAN…
A. The Rich Man Tells Us This (he learned this from Abraham)
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence Luke 16:23-26
B. Romans 3:23 Tells Us This
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
CONCLUSION: Again, if you are in our services today and you have never trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, please do so before it is everlastingly, too late…
