God's Work bringing us to Salvation and Spiritual Life.
From the moment of our Salvation God is leading and working in our lives so that we are not only saved but we mature in the Grace and Love of God. Not only does He work but we too need to do our part in our salvation and walk with Him.
I. First God's show us His Grace so we can be saved.
Ephesians 2:7-9 (KJV) 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
A. We are saved by what Christ has done for us and not want we can do to merit salvation.
1. Grace is God's unmerited favor to us.
2. God's mercy ... goes before the unwilling to make him willing; it follows the willing to make his will effectual.
3. When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court.
The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."
Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten-dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"
II. Christ shed His blood that we could be justified.
Romans 5:9 (KJV) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
A. The first reference in the New Testament to His blood stresses this aspect. Jesus said, at the last supper: "This is my blood of the new testament (same as 'covenant') which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Let no one, therefore, even count the "blood of the covenant...an unholy thing" (Heb. 10:29), for the blood of Christ is forever innocent, infinitely precious, perfectly justifying, always cleansing and fully sanctifying.
III. We are not ashamed of Him or His Work in our lives.
Romans 1:17 (KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
A. We will confess Him before man because our confession was involved in our salvation. Romans 10:10 (KJV) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:11 (KJV) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
B. His love will bring us to repentance. Luke 13:3 (KJV) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts 3:19 (KJV) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
1. Repentance brings the times of refreshing from the Lord.
2. His presence brings refreshing.
3. When we repent and are saved He will never leave us and His presence is always with us. Matthew 28:20 (KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
a. Can true repentance exist without faith? By no means. But although they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished.
b. According to Scripture repentance is wholly an inward act, and should not be confounded with the change of life that proceeds from it. Confession of sin and reparation of wrongs are fruits of repentance.
IV. Our faith can help bring our family to Christ.
Acts 16:32 (KJV) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
A. My mother the first one converted in our family was my mother and she stood on this promise for 20 years and everyone in the family was saved.
V. We then follow Him and one our first steps is:
A. Water baptism. Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
B. Being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5 (KJV) 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
VI. Get involved in Christian work. James 2:24 (KJV) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
VII. We have the Christian hope. Romans 8:24 (KJV) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
A. We know to whom we have believed.
VIII. If we are faithful we will hear these words on that last day from Jesus. Matthew 25:21 (KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
A. What a day that will be when we see Jesus.
B. I hope to have some crowns, as I want to lay them down at Jesus' feet.
C. I love the word to this song.
What A Day That Will Be
There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
There'll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be
