Salvation: A Gift of Grace Through Faith

 

Summary

The sermon delivered by the speaker focused on the central theme of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through human efforts or deeds. The speaker began by praying for the congregation's openness to God's word and reflected on the crowd's response to Jesus after he fed them, pointing out their misunderstanding of seeking eternal sustenance. The speaker emphasized that salvation is not something that can be earned through actions, as this would imply that God owes us something, which is a blasphemous thought.

The speaker shared a personal conversation with someone who believed they could achieve righteousness through hard work, using it to illustrate the futility of human efforts in attaining salvation. The story of Philemon and his runaway slave Onesimus was introduced, highlighting Onesimus's transformation after meeting the Apostle Paul and becoming a Christian. The speaker drew parallels between Onesimus's legal debt and the spiritual debt of sin that every person carries.

The sermon continued with the assertion that salvation comes from belief in the work of God, specifically the work of Jesus Christ. The speaker clarified that while good works are necessary, they are not sufficient for entering Heaven due to the standard of perfection set by Jesus. The only way to obtain this perfection is through faith in Jesus, who offers His own perfection in exchange for our belief and trust.

The concept of imperfection in relation to salvation was discussed, with the speaker likening the crediting of our sins to Jesus to a salary being deposited into a bank account. The speaker warned against "churchianity," where people trust in church rites or their own humanitarian efforts, instead of the righteousness provided by Jesus.

The story of Philemon and Onesimus was revisited, with the speaker focusing on Paul's letter to Philemon, where Paul becomes a guarantor for Onesimus's debts. This act of love and intercession was presented as a reflection of Christ's intercession for sinners. The speaker encouraged the congregation to read the book of Philemon and to trust in Christ's intercession, acknowledging their own sins and inability to repay what is owed to God.

Key Takeaways:

- The speaker highlighted the importance of understanding that salvation is a gift from God, not a wage to be earned. By using the example of the crowd's response to Jesus' miracle of feeding them, the speaker illustrated how people often miss the point of God's grace, seeking to earn what is freely given. This insight challenges believers to examine their own understanding of grace and to rest in the assurance that salvation is not based on human effort but on Christ's finished work on the cross. [21:10]

- Through the personal story of a conversation about achieving righteousness, the speaker conveyed the futility of trying to meet God's perfect standards through our own efforts. This story serves as a reminder that recognizing our own spiritual bankruptcy is the first step toward true salvation, which is found only in Jesus Christ. It is a call to abandon self-reliance and to embrace the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice. [29:29]

- The speaker's discussion on belief and the certainty of salvation in Jesus Christ reassures believers that their salvation is secure when they place their trust in Him. This certainty is not based on a "maybe" or an "if," but on the solid promise of God's word. This takeaway encourages believers to live with confidence in their salvation and to share this assurance with others who may be uncertain about their eternal destiny. [24:10]

- The analogy of a salary being credited to a bank account was used to explain how God credits our sins to Jesus, who has paid for them. This powerful image helps believers understand the transactional nature of salvation and the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. It is a call to trust wholly in Jesus' work and to reject any reliance on personal achievements or religious rituals for salvation. [27:00]

- The story of Philemon and Onesimus, with Paul's offer to pay Onesimus's debt, serves as a poignant illustration of Christ's role as our guarantor. This narrative invites believers to reflect on the depth of God's forgiveness and grace, as well as the transformative power of the gospel in reconciling relationships. It is a reminder that just as Onesimus was received back by Philemon, so too are we welcomed by God when we come to Him through Christ. [34:49]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

The following Bible verses are central to understanding the theme of salvation through faith:

1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (Salvation by faith, not works)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

2. John 6:27 (Food that endures to eternal life)
"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

3. Philemon 1:18-19 (Paul's letter regarding Onesimus)
"If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides."

### Observation Questions

1. In Ephesians 2:8-9, what is identified as the means of salvation, and what is explicitly stated as not contributing to it?
2. What does John 6:27 suggest about the nature of the sustenance that Jesus provides compared to physical food?
3. In the letter to Philemon, what does Paul offer to do for Onesimus, and how might this reflect a deeper spiritual truth?

### Interpretation Questions

1. Considering the gift of salvation mentioned in Ephesians, how might one's perspective on good works and personal achievements change?
2. Reflecting on the eternal sustenance mentioned in John, what implications does this have for one's daily pursuits and priorities?
3. Analyzing Paul's actions in the letter to Philemon, what can be understood about the concept of spiritual debt and the role of an intercessor?

### Application Questions

1. Identify a situation where you might be tempted to rely on your own efforts for spiritual merit. How can you remind yourself of the truth found in Ephesians 2:8-9 during such times?
2. Think of a moment this week when you can share with someone the difference between working for perishable rewards and receiving the eternal sustenance that Jesus offers, as described in John 6:27.
3. Consider a debt or obligation you have towards someone that you've been reluctant to address. What is one step you can take this week to resolve it, reflecting the grace shown in the story of Philemon and Onesimus?
4. Recall a recent conversation where you discussed success or achievement. How can you incorporate the message of salvation by faith into a similar conversation in the coming days?
5. Reflect on a relationship that may benefit from forgiveness or reconciliation. What is one action you can take to initiate this process, drawing inspiration from the intercession of Paul for Onesimus?

Devotional

Day 1: Grace Beyond Earning
Salvation is a divine gift, not a reward for human efforts. The crowd's response to Jesus' miracle of feeding them illustrates a common misunderstanding of grace—as if it were something to be earned. True grace is freely given and cannot be merited by any action, reminding believers to rest in the assurance of Christ's finished work on the cross. [21:10]

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How does recognizing salvation as a gift change your perspective on your relationship with God and your daily actions?

Day 2: The Futility of Self-Righteousness
Human efforts cannot achieve the perfection required by God. The conversation about achieving righteousness through hard work serves as a stark reminder of our spiritual bankruptcy and the need for Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is a call to abandon self-reliance and to fully embrace the sufficiency of Christ's work for our salvation. [29:29]

Romans 4:4-5 - "Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts to feel righteous before God, and how can you shift to trusting in Christ's righteousness instead?

Day 3: The Certainty of Salvation in Christ
Belief in Jesus Christ secures salvation with certainty, not based on a "maybe" or an "if," but on the solid promise of God's word. This assurance allows believers to live confidently, knowing their eternal destiny is not dependent on their own actions but on their trust in Jesus. [24:10]

Hebrews 10:22 - "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of assurance in your salvation, and how might this assurance affect the way you live and share your faith?

Day 4: The Transaction of Salvation
The crediting of our sins to Jesus is like a salary deposited into a bank account—He has paid the price in full. This analogy helps believers understand the transactional nature of salvation and the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. It is a call to trust wholly in Jesus' work and to reject any reliance on personal achievements for salvation. [27:00]

Isaiah 53:5-6 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Reflection: What does it mean to you that Jesus has paid the price for your sins, and how does this understanding influence your gratitude and worship?

Day 5: Christ Our Guarantor
Paul's offer to pay Onesimus's debt mirrors Christ's role as our guarantor, reflecting the depth of God's forgiveness and grace. This narrative invites believers to reflect on the transformative power of the gospel in reconciling relationships and the welcoming embrace of God when we come to Him through Christ. [34:49]

Philemon 1:18-19 - "If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ as your guarantor affect your view of forgiveness and reconciliation in your own life?

Quotes

"We can try to escape the consequences of sin if we wish, though we will never succeed, or we can accept the gracious work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf and trust him as our Lord and Savior." [38:32] (Download)

"What must I do? Believe. Why? Because everything needed has already been done, and if it's been done, there's nothing left to add to it." [39:32] (Download)

"People still think that they need to do something for God and they still consider themselves entitled to a reward, but if it were possible for us to earn salvation, that would mean God would be in debt to us." [23:05] (Download)

"Nobody will abandon their attempts at righteousness until they realize that all human efforts are worthless, that we all fall short of God's perfect righteous demands." [29:29] (Download)

"God the Father will credit all your sins past, present, and future to Jesus because he has already died to pay for them, and God asks us to believe this, that we accept what Jesus has already done for us." [27:00] (Download)

"The answer is we are to do nothing except believe on the Lord Jesus; that's good news, isn't it? That puts away a whole lot of striving." [28:44] (Download)

"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. It is not what we can do for God, but rather what God has already done for us. We are to believe, to trust Jesus, and commit ourselves into the hands of our Savior." [25:11] (Download)

"Good character is essential for entering Heaven, not just good works. Jesus said your works must be perfect, as I am perfect. Since no one is perfect except Jesus, God offers us the perfection of Jesus in exchange for our imperfection." [26:02] (Download)

"Paul was becoming guarantor for Onesimus, although old and in prison, Paul was offering to pay. Onesimus trusted Paul to do that, and who can doubt that Philemon freely forgave Onesimus and received him as he would have received the Apostle Paul." [35:45] (Download)

"Instead, we must come to Christ and find Him interceding on our behalf. 'Father,' He says, 'this runaway slave has wronged you, he owes what he can never repay, but he believes in me, he's been changed. Therefore, I ask you to charge all that he has done to my account.'" [37:41] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?