Introduction

Good morning, dear friends and family! Today, we gather to dive into God's Word and explore the gift of salvation that He has given us. Our Scripture passage for today's sermon comes from 1 Timothy.

Now, let me begin with a quote from Christian author and theologian, C.S. Lewis, who once wrote, "A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness, and temperance, is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride." It's not our actions or knowledge that save us, but our humble recognition of our need for God's grace and salvation.

With this thought in mind, let's read the full Scripture passage:

"1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:1-15, NIV)

The Need for Salvation

The Bible teaches us that every human being is born with a sinful nature, inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve. This sinful nature separates us from God, who is holy and perfect. As a result, we are unable to have a relationship with Him or experience the fullness of life that He intended for us. This is the predicament that every person finds themselves in, regardless of their background, upbringing, or personal achievements.

One of the primary reasons we need salvation is because of the consequences of sin. Sin has both temporal and eternal consequences. Temporally, sin can lead to broken relationships, emotional pain, and physical suffering. We see this in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. When we lie, cheat, or steal, we damage our relationships with others and often bring pain upon ourselves. Additionally, sin can lead to a sense of guilt and shame, which can weigh heavily on our hearts and minds.

Eternally, the consequences of sin are even more severe. The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This death is not merely physical, but spiritual as well. Spiritual death refers to eternal separation from God in a place called hell, where there is weeping and “gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42). This is a terrifying reality, and it is the ultimate consequence of our sinfulness.

Many people believe that they can earn their way to heaven through good deeds or moral living. However, the Bible makes it clear that our efforts to save ourselves are futile. Isaiah 64:6 says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." No matter how hard we try, we cannot erase the stain of sin from our lives or make ourselves acceptable to God.

Furthermore, the law of God, which was given to us as a guide for righteous living, actually serves to highlight our need for salvation. As we read in 1 Timothy 1:9, "We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious." The law reveals our sinfulness and our inability to keep it perfectly. It shows us that we are in desperate need of a Savior who can fulfill the law on our behalf and provide the righteousness that we lack.

Throughout history, people have searched for answers to life's most profound questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What happens after I die? These questions point to a deep-seated need for something more than what this world can offer. We long for a relationship with our Creator, for a sense of purpose that transcends our earthly existence, and for the hope of eternal life. Salvation is the answer to these longings, as it restores our relationship with God, gives us a new purpose in serving Him, and provides the assurance of eternal life with Him.

Moreover, the need for salvation is underscored by the reality of human suffering and the prevalence of evil in the world. We live in a broken world, marred by sin and its devastating effects. We see this in the countless stories of pain, injustice, and tragedy that fill our newsfeeds and touch our own lives. The presence of suffering and evil in the world is a stark reminder of our need for salvation, not only for ourselves but also for the world as a whole. We long for a day when all things will be made new, when suffering and evil will be no more, and when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).

The Source of Salvation

It is important to recognize that salvation does not come from our own efforts, good deeds, or even our knowledge ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO