Christ Alone
October 23, 2022 Morning Service
70th Anniversary Revival/Homecoming
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: It’s not about us; it’s all about God. Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone!
Focus Passage: Act 4:1-12
Introduction: As we gather today to celebrate 70 years of God’s goodness to us at ISBC, we recognize that it isn’t about us. It is ALL about God. He has provided for us without fail. He has given us just what we need when we need it. We certainly have a part to play in the life of a church. We must all accept the responsibility of ministry that is placed on us as Christians and as members of this church. If/when we slack off or only give it minimal effort, the church as a whole suffers. When we are faithful to do what God has called us to do, He blesses us so that He will have the most glory. Well, in one way, it is similar to salvation; that is, it isn’t about us- it is all about God. Our salvation doesn’t depend on us to do anything. We can’t earn it. We can’t win it. We can’t buy it. And to be very honest, we have to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to even draw us to Jesus. We, in and of ourselves, lack the basic ability to even repent properly! It is only by the transforming power of Jesus Christ that we are made perfect in Him and can live a life that brings Him glory!
I. Salvation is not by works
a. 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. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB)
b. nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 NASB)
c. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (Galatians 2:21 NASB)
II. Salvation is not by religion
a. And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." (Mark 7:6-8 NASB)
b. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Matthew 7:21-23 NASB)
c. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:26-27 NASB)
III. Salvation is in Christ Alone
a. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NASB)
b. This is very offensive to many people who think themselves “good enough” to get to Heaven by their works or by their religion.
c. Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6 NASB)
d. for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (Romans 10:13 NASB)
e. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (1 John 5:11-12 NASB)
f. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 NASB)
Application/Call to Obedience: Have you been trying to do it all on your own? Can you see how fruitless that is? Have you fully surrendered to God through Jesus Christ? The Bible says “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 NASB)
