Other Names for Sin and Salvation - Part 8

References:

(1) I have said that the story of salvation can be told in 6 brief statements: Salvation is needed; salvation is provided; salvation is offered; salvation can be received; salvation has to be proclaimed; and salvation has to be lived.

(2) To the high priest’s question: “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus openly declared: “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-64).

(3) This is a clear reference to the prophecy in Dan. 7:13-14 regarding that the Son of Man was the One that would be given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

(4) When we receive Jesus as our Savior, God sends us the GIFT of His Holy Spirit who enters our spirits and begins to TRANSFORM us to be more like Christ.

(5) Receiving Jesus Christ into our lives is more than adding Him to an already CLUTTERED PRIORITY LIST. He does not offer the option of being ONLY A PART of our lives. When we receive Him, we pledge to Him our ALLEGIANCE and look to Him as the UNDISPUTED LORD of our lives.

(6) Receiving Jesus is the beginning of a lifetime of DISCOVERY, being a FRIEND of Jesus, free from the WRATH of God, having PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have ACCESS by faith into this GRACE in which we stand, and REJOICE in hope of the GLORY of God, looking forward to an eternity of bliss in heaven with Him.

(7) Many people like the idea of an instruction manual with certain “steps to salvation” that, if followed, will result in EARNING salvation. According to Islam, for example, if the Five Pillars are obeyed, salvation will be granted.

(8) BUT the Bible presents ONLY ONE STEP to salvation. Jesus said, “No man comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31).

(9) A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ. Remember in Rom. 5:6-10 Paul informs us what God has done for us even while we were yet without strength, still sinners, and enemies.

(10) Skeptics say that the idea of Jesus’ deity was an INVENTION of the church in the 4th century. So I say to the skeptics: clear this up for me if you will. How do you explain all the references to a divine Christ (John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9; Mark 14:62) in the first century and accept the skeptics claim about the 4th century and even today argue against His deity?

(11) The Great Commission involves 4 ACTIVITIES: going, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching. We are even told WHAT to teach — the things Jesus has commanded. All this is based on His AUTHORITY, and, in addition, we are given a PROMISE — He is always with us. That is a promise in all times and in all circumstances but especially we can rely on the promise as we evangelize.

(12) Jesus Himself proclaimed the good news. He said “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8). “For the Son of Man has come to SEEK and to SAVE that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

This is episode 186.