Three Questions Regarding Salvation.

 

        The humorous story is told of another baseball manger who decided to play a rookie in right field one day. The regular fielder wasn’t happy about it and loudly makes it know from the bench that it was a big mistake to play the kid.

        As it turned out the rookie was so nervous that he messed up big-time. He made a couple of errors and misjudged several other fly balls that should have been called errors. Each time he messed up, the veteran complained loudly from the bench.

        Finally, late in the game the manager replaced the rookie with the veteran, mostly to shut the veteran up. Not long after, the veteran mishandled the first ball hit to him for an error. As he came off the field at the end of the inning, everyone on the bench got very quiet so they could hear what he would say.

        The manager was waiting for the veteran, but before the manager could address the man, the veteran ballplayer slammed his glove down in disgust and said, “Skipper, that kid has right field so messed up nobody can play it.”

        That is the way many feel  about salvation. They are so mixed up with regards to salvation that they wonder if they will ever get it straight in their mind.  Far too many pastors, teachers, and theologians have caused the problem by failing to communicate the wonder of the salvation in Christ that everyday person can relate to.

        The subject of salvation is one of the greatest themes that could ever challenge the human mind, and confusion about it spells  disaster.

        I admit that some words don’t mean what they used to. Modern technology is responsible for a lot of these changes in meaning. For instance, if you stop a person on the street and ask what windows are, the chances are good that the answer will relate to a compute program instead of clear panes of glass that people look through.

        The world help is another example. It used to mean a cry of desperation by someone in trouble. But today it just an option on a computer’s  toolbar (although for some computer users, clicking on the help icon still represents a cry of desperation by someone in trouble).

        Here is another example: the words save or saved. To a twenty first century mind, “save” is a command whereby data in a computer file is preserved, and “saved” describes the condition of the file after the command is performed. The world may consider the spiritual meaning fo the word saved to be a relic from a previous generation, but it is good biblical word that we ought not to abandon.

        The question of all time, for all people,  is still the simple question “AM I SAVED?”

        This morning I want us to give consideration to three great questions regarding salvation found in the eternal Word of God.

I.      The INQUISITIVE question regarding salvation  - Luke 13:22,23

        Suddenly from the ranks of bystanders comes the question, “Are there few that be saved?” It is likely that this question was asked by a Jew, and that the two parables illustrating the smallness of the kingdom's beginning suggested it to him. The Jews extended their exclusive spirit even to their ideals of a world to come, so that they believed none but the chosen race would behold its glories.  The questioner wished Jesus to commit himself to this narrow Jewish spirit, or else to take a position which would subject him to the charge of being unpatriotic.

        A question of curiosity, the answer to which can profit no man. It was a question of idle curiosity. The answer to it would have done little good. It was far more important for the man to secure his own salvation, than to indulge in such idle inquiries and vain speculations.   This was one of those curious questions of which some flatter themselves they are religious. It was a curious question, a nice speculation, which he had lately been disputing upon with his companions, and they all agreed to refer it to Christ. Many are more inquisitive with regards as to  who shall be saved, and who shall  not, than respecting what they shall do to be saved. It is commonly asked,  "May such and such be saved?"

        What does it matter, whether few or many, if you are not one of them? Jesus does not answer directly, but urges his questioner to make sure that he is in the number, however large or small it proves to be. This is much more important than doing some arithmetic on those who are rescued fro eternal damnation.

        The devil does not care if you discuss or debate Christianity as long as you don’t receive it.

 

II.     The INCREDIBLE question regarding salvation - Matthew 19:16-25

        In Matthew 19 we observe a rich young ruler come to Jesus, and yet go away sorrowful. Upon the rich young man’s departure the Lord declared,  “A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Riches give a person entrance to most places down here, but they do not open the gates of Heaven. Wealth translates into power; power generates pride; and pride slams the gates of heaven shut. 

        The Jews were accustomed to look upon the possession of riches as an evidence of divine favor, and the heads of the apostles were filled with visions of the riches and honors which they would enjoy when Jesus set up his kingdom. No wonder, then, that they were amazed to find that it was hard for a rich man to enter that kingdom, and that, moreover and worse than all, riches appeared to exclude from salvation itself: that even this virtuous rich man could not have eternal life because he clung to his riches.

        No common astonishment filled the disciples. Much astounding truth they had already heard from their Master; but this exceeded all, and they were exceedingly amazed. They had previously thought that wealth was an

advantage: and now they judged that if those who had riches could only be

saved with surpassing difficulty, poor workingmen like themselves could

have no hope whatever. They were ready to despair; and therefore they put

to their Lord the very natural question, "Who then can be saved?" Even

our Lord's disciples felt themselves bewildered by his plain utterance, so

hard is it to get rid of prejudices in favor of wealth. If rich men, with all their advantages, cannot?  Who?  “If a rich man cannot be saved, what hope is there for the rest of us.”   “Who then can be saved?” If the way to heaven is barred to the rich man, who shall the poor pass therein. The difficulty seemed to apply to everybody. All who are not rich are hoping and struggling to become rich, and therefore fall under the same category.

        Jesus did not say that is impossible for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom, but HE did imply it was difficult. Humanly speaking it is impossible for anyone to be saved, rich or poor; only God can save a soul. God is the God of the impossible. None can enter into the kingdom of God except by a marvel of grace. God is able to save all men, whether rich or poor. Wealth is no aid to salvation and poverty is no barrier to salvation.

 

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus  the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:

How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior's love for me.

 

I Am so glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given,

Wonderful things in the Bible I see;

This is the dearest - that Jesus loves me.

 

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

 

        A.     Jesus can save those whom sin has disqualified

        B.     Jesus can save those whom sin has dissatisfied

        C.     Jesus can save those whom sin has disabled

        D.     Jesus can save those whom sin has defiled

        E.     Jesus can save those whom sin has darkened

        F.      Jesus can save those whom sin has deadened

 

III.    The IMPERATIVE question of salvation - Acts 16:31

            The question of the Philippian jailer is the greatest question that has  ever fallen from human lips. There can be no greater question. It was  the greatest question for the jailer. It is  the greatest for you and I as well. Never was a more important question asked than this.  This is the great question that we should all asks. 

A.     It is a question that articulates humility - “What must I do be saved?”

                This question implies a need. It implies man has a great need.  Man is lost and doomed to hell. There is a need to be saved because of sin.   See Ecclesiastes 7:20. Man does not like to admit he has a need, and yet no one gets saved who does not humble themselves and admit their need.

                In Shoreham, England, several years ago, a savings and loan association celebrated their 40th anniversary. Some of the directors decided it would be great to give away some great prizes and have a beauty contest. So they did. Someone came up with the idea: “Since it is our 40th anniversary, let us give the prizes only to a lady who is over 40 years old.” But they ran into a problem. The ladies beautiful enough to win the contest would admit they were 40 years old.

                        God has salvation that He wants to give away, but He will give it to anybody who will not admit they have a need. 

B.     It is a question that  asserts individuality -  “What must I do to be saved?”

                Salvation is a personal thing. I can not make the decision for you.     Romans 14:12

        C.     It is a question   that affirms  availability - “What must I do to be saved?

                Salvation is available for and to all who come. WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME!       

 

        D.     It is a question that ascertains  eternality - “What must I do to be saved?”

                Your eternal destiny depends on your being saved! Your rescue from Hell depends on your being saved. Your rejoicing in Heaven depends on your being saved.

                Jesus is not the one who points the way.  He is the way, the only way to be saved.

 

Conclusion:

        Give your quibbling about salvation and accept it today.  Quit your arguing about salvation and receive yours today.

        Everything we have we got one of three ways: we either earned it, tole it, or someone gave it to us. There is no other way to get things.

        Salvation cannot be stolen; it cannot be bought; it can only be received as a gift.  

Bro. Jimmy Chapman