September 29 We Need Salvation - Plain and Simple
Ephesians 2:1-6
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:1-6)
There is a story told about H.A. Ironside, the pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago. One day he rode a passenger train and a gypsy woman sat down beside him, and said, “Sir, if you cross my palm with some silver, I’ll tell you your future!” He said, “Before you do that, let me show you what God says about my future”…so he opened his Bible and she said, “that’s ok, I’ve had quite enough.” He grabbed her arm: “no, I want you to see this, there is past guilt” – she had quite enough. He continued to share about the present grace; the gypsy woman said, “that is quite enough.” Dr. Torrey said that there is future glory. “That is quite enough!!…” The gypsy woman ran down the train crying out, “I picked the wrong man!” You can call the Psychotic Friends Network if you want to, but when it comes to my future, I prefer the Word of God! Salvation exists in the past, present, and future. Being “saved” is not a Baptist thing or Pentecostal or Methodist…not a term we’ve made up…it’s a Bible term! No other Name given under heaven among men whereby we must be SAVED! “Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be Saved…” Have you been saved? How do you know? Put it into words…what’s the answer? Salvation is of the Lord…too many people are trying to save themselves by trying to earn it or be good enough to save themselves! It’s not about us…it’s about God! Two of the most precious words in scripture, v. 4: “but God!” Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Notice that it doesn’t say “but you”, it says, “but God!” Are you trying to cover yourself? You cannot do it. God has provided the opportunity for us to “Live” with Him and to Walk with Him, for Eternity! He has, also, provided, through the Shed Blood of Jesus, the opportunity to live life abundantly, right here, right now! Stop playing “Christian!” Embrace His provision, by His Grace, Through True Faith in Jesus! Jesus shed His Blood for us! Jesus Loved us enough to be the Sacrifice for our Sins and we need to acknowledge it, Embrace it and to Claim it, by True and unwavering FAITH IN THE TRUTH OF HIS SELFLESS ACT AT CALVARY! Remember, we cannot SAVE OURSELVES! Who saves? God alone! Why? Because of HIS Love and Mercy!! How does God save? By Grace! When does God Save? When true Biblical faith occurs and we acknowledge HIM as LORD and SAVIOR! So, where does that leave us? PRAISE GOD, It Leaves Us In Heavenly Places! Thank You God, For the simplicity of salvation…! We cannot face God someday with anything less than Jesus as our Savior…you cannot save yourself…no ifs, ands, or buts… “but God, I repeat…. “BUT GOD!!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!