Category: Salvation
Subject: Salvation
From the Preacher’s Pen: Offering the Invitation
It is our practice at the end of every sermon to offer an invitation to those in attendance to come forward, and express any spiritual need they may have. It may be that they desire to be baptized in water “for the remission of sins” (cf. Acts 2:38). It may be that they wish to acknowledge some public sin, and show their penitent spirit to the brethren (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11). It may be that they need the prayers of the saints for comfort and strength (cf. James 5:16). Frankly, I couldn’t bring myself to step down after giving an exhortation from God’s word without offering an opportunity for those who heard it to respond to the message.
I don’t understand why some others have ceased the practice. Surely when we preach our desire is to elicit a response from our listeners? Even if a particular message is designed more for edification than exhortation, it may be that one of which we are not aware has a need to unburden his soul.
A favorite scripture is God’s tender invitation to close the New Testament. Coupled with the promise of the Lord’s second coming, and the further promise of a reward to the faithful (cf. vs. 12), the apostle John pens these stirring words, “And the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). The words express the intent of every lesson I preach. May the Lord come quickly, and may we all be prepared for that day!
Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Salvation
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This ninth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Salvation, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
Sermon: The Cowboy Bible
“What must I do to be saved?” is the most important question anyone can ask. This is a first principle lesson contrasting the beliefs concerning what someone must do to be saved that appears on the inside cover of “The Cowboy Bible” with what the scriptures actually teach.
Invitation: Perverting the Gospel
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Both in Galatians 1, and 2 Corinthians 11, Paul warns his readers about “putting up with” a perverted gospel. A perverted gospel can not save! We must contend for and accept the faith as it was once delivered to us!
Invitation: Demolition and Rebuilding
Invitation delivered by: Brad Gallman
In this talk, Brad noted that one must first demolish a building before a new, better building can be erected. The same is so with God’s efforts toward men. The old man is demolished, that a new man may be created by Him.
Invitation: Living and Dying
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul contrasts the ultimate resolution of our physical lives (death) with the ultimate resolution of our spiritual lives as Christians (eternal life).
Invitation: You Reap What You Sow
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul warns that we will reap what we sow, and gives the exhortation to do good, to reap God’s approval.
Sermon: The State of Israel without Christ
The apostle Paul dealt with Israel’s condition because of her rejection of Jesus in Romans chapters 9-11. Both Jew and Gentile can be saved only through God’s mercy, accessed only through Jesus Christ.
Invitation: Preaching, the Gospel, Faith and Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Romans 1 and Romans 10 show the relationship between the preaching of the gospel, and the formation of the faith that saves men’s souls.
Sermon: Blotted Out
The phrase “blotted out” occurs on several occasions in scripture. Interesting lessons can be learned by examining its use. What God blots out remains obliterated for as long as He wills it.
Invitation: Come to the Water’s Source
Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson
In Jesus’ discourse to the Samaritan woman (John 4) he teaches us the importance of coming to Him, the source of Living water!
Sermon: What about the thief?
Some argue that Christ’s declaration to the thief while on the cross argues that we can be saved by faith, apart from water baptism. This sermon answers that argument.
The Seed of Woman
The apostle Paul affirmed to the Ephesians that God’s plan of salvation for man was devised long before he walked on the earth. Paul wrote, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Since this is so, it is not surprising that there are indications given of that plan early in man’s history. Shortly after the fall of man, as God related the consequence of the sin committed, he said to the tempter (in serpent form), “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:14-15). While the animosity between man and snake is evident, as is the reality of their legless existence, Bible students understand the greatest significance is spiritual, derived from the words found in verse 15. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise heel.” Notice that the references to the Seed of woman, both in the designation and the pronouns that accompany it, are all capitalized. That is because the translators (NKJ) recognize this to be a Messianic prophecy, shadowing the, at that time, future battle between Satan and Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Are Those in the Church the Only Ones Saved?
The lesson discusses the true identity of the church, the sin of denominationalism, and answers scripturally the question asked in two ways…
1) Are those in the church the only ones saved?
or, more commonly
2) Do you think that only those who are members of the church of Christ going to heaven?
Audio (Part 1)
Audio (Part 2)
Sermon: Six Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying
Spring Meeting 2014
The lesson is a review of the contention of a religious writer for the Huffington Post, who claimed that Christians should just stop saying:
- The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God
- We just believe the Bible
- Jesus is the only way to heaven
- The rapture of Jesus is imminent
- Homosexuality is a sin against God
- The earth is less than 10,000 years old
