Category: Salvation

The sermon discusses the text: Hebrews 11:6. To come to God, one must come humbly, in faith, and willingly. God determines the parameters of reconciliation, not man.

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There are few that will find the narrow way that leads to Life (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). There are many impediments. It is a strict and difficult way, many are prejudiced or deceived. Others are led astray by peer pressure. Some are untaught. Concerning the latter, Christians have the responsiblity to preach the gospel.

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Did you hear the one about the rich old man who told his wife before dying that he wanted all of his money buried with him? At his funeral, just before the casket was closed she put a metal box in the casket with him. “Surely you didn’t put all the money in there?”, asked her friend. “Well, he did request it”, she said. “I got all the money together and put it in my checking account. I wrote him a check and put it in the box. If he can cash it, he can have it!”

It seems that many live their lives in such a way as to suggest the believe they can, in fact, take their money with them when they die! Such thinking is foolish! Remember the foolish rich man of Luke 12? He spent his time and focus in getting ahead in life. After he had accomplished his purpose, he sat back and said, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink and be merry” (vs. 19). God’s answer to him was, “Fool!, This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs. 20).

Continue reading “You Can’t Take it With You” →

1 John 1:1-3

In John’s introduction to his first epistle, he quickly affirms two basic facts. First, that the gospel of Christ was authentic. He states that he was an eyewitness to that which brings eternal life. He heard it, saw it, gazed upon it, and handled it.

An examination of the gospels underscores the truthfulness of this declaration. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The apostles not only heard of that resurrection, they saw and touched the Lord. They recognized His victory over death. Paul wrote, “…by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:21).

Second, that the gospel of Christ brings eternal life. He declared it to his readers that they might also “have fellowship with us.” Because it is authentic, it means Jesus truly is the Savior. He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. His victory over death supplies for us the same hope!

While doing some research on the internet this past week, I came across the poster reproduced to the left. (The text reads: “Modern Science will save the world – or kill us all”

The poster is designed to dramatize that science/technology is commonly a two edged sword. The same technology that has produced nuclear power also produced the nuclear bomb. The invention of the combustible engine allows us to travel hundreds of miles in a day, but also has led to a number of potentially serious environmental problems—to say nothing of nearly $4.00 per gallon gasoline prices! The internet allows us access to almost unlimited information instantaneously, yet its largest tenant is the pornographer.

Continue reading “In The News: The Promises of Modern Science” →

2 Peter 1:1-4

The apostle Peter opens his second epistle by pronouncing a blessing upon those “who have obtained like precious faith with us.”

The key to this passage is the realization that all such blessings are found through Christ. The faith mentioned above is accomplished “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In the following verses, Peter establishes that grace and peace come through a knowledge of Jesus; that the power of Christ has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness”; and it is by Jesus that we have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises.”

The obvious conclusion is that as Christians, we are fulfilled. We have everything we need, equipped on this earth, and equipped for a future existence with God. All of this is accomplished through the power of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we escape to eternity.

Using Paul’s life as a persecutor, then faithful Christian and apostle, this sermon establishes that a person’s spiritual standing in life changes. The unredeemed need to become obedient to the gospel to have a future in heaven.

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Matthew 10:5-15

The text consists of what is commonly called the Limited Commission, in contrast to the “Great Commission” recorded in Matthew 28:16-20. On both occasions the apostles were commanded to go and preach, but where the “Great Commission” had as its scope “all the nations,” the commission of Matthew 10 was limited to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The apostles were to preach the coming of the kingdom, and were to depend totally upon God’s provision to care for and protect them in their ministry.

Two lessons can be learned from the text. First, we can depend upon God’s providence as we live our lives as His children (vs. 9-13).

Second, those who reject the gospel of our Lord show themselves to be unworthy of salvation (vs. 14-15).

Paul and Barnabas referred to those in Israel who rejected the gospel as “judge [-ing] yourselves unworthy of everlasting life” (Acts 13:46).

The question is asked and answered. Does the pardon of the thief on the cross have a bearing on whether we must be baptized in order to be saved?

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In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “Ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.”

Source Unknown.

Columbus did not know the half of it. So many today make the same denial with regard to life after death. They live their lives, “under the sun” (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:3), without any reference to God or eternity. But, there is life after death! As the Hebrew writer wrote, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28). For those saved, there is truly “Plus Ultra”… More Beyond!

Guest Speaker: Keith Greer. There is an eternal principle that remains true in every age. Succinctly stated, God speaks, Man believes, Man obeys, God saves.

While the particulars of God’s message may change, the principle remains. This is certainly true with regard to God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

(Note: This is a two part sermon. The morning sermon covers the first 8 slides of the presentation).

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As God is with us, and is the soure of our redemption, we have nothing to fear. (Romans 8:31-39).

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In Philippians 2:12-13, the Apostle Paul exhorted Christians to “…as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The text clearly shows that man has an obligation regarding his own standing before God. Though we are saved by grace, this does not excuse us from honest and diligent effort to obey God. He saves us, but we are sadly mistaken if we believe that He will save us without any effort on our part. Those who are unrepentant sinners will only suffer loss.

In the New Testament, there are two instances where a disciple is referred to as one who is “full of faith.” Stephen (Acts 6:5,8) and Barnabas (Acts 11:24) are the two men mentioned. The Holy Spirit chose two men who personify the apostle’s admonition to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Stephen suffered martyrdom because of his unflinching proclamation of the gospel of our Lord. In Acts 11, we are told that as a result of Barnabas’ preaching “a great many people were added to the Lord” (vs. 24). Barnabas continued steadfastly in his work, and was a great help and companion to Paul in his ministry.

Continue reading “Working Out Your Own Salvation” →

The account of Saul’s conversion is unique in many ways because it involves not only his conversion, but also his appointment as an apostle. However, Saul had to do what all have to do in order to receive the forgiveness of his sins.

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AOTS Number 52

Children want to know if their pet is going to heaven? Does God care about animals? Are we different than the animals? These are challenging questions, but fortunately, we have scriptural answers to give.

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