Communion Sunday
What Does It Mean To Be Saved?
1 John 5:11-13
3 Types of Assurance:
- Undermined Assurance
- Undeserved Assurance
- Full Assurance
“Where there is uncertainty concerning how salvation is attained, there will be confusion over whether it can be maintained.” Charles Stanley
The Basis of Salvation
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
The Great Exchange:
- My Sin charged to Christ
- Christ’s righteousness Credited to me
Jesus in my Place
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)
My Response to God’s Provision
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36, ESV)
We are either in:
- Believing Submission to Jesus Christ
- Unbelieving Rebellion to Jesus Christ
Two Key Components
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15, ESV)
Repentance means: to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness
Repentance is not…
- Feeling Sorry for my sin
- Praying a Sinner’s Prayer
- Confession of sin
- Becoming Religious
- Partial Surrender
- Absence of Struggle
Repentance is…
- The absence of Settled Defiance
- Following Jesus
- A Spirit-Fueled Change of Desires
“We don’t come to Him as bad people trying to become good people; we come as rebels to lay down our arms.” C.S. Lewis
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)
Saving Belief or Faith Involves:
- Acknowledging truth about Jesus
- Personal Trust in Jesus
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19, ESV)
Faith’s Object is Christ and His substitutionary work alone
It is not Faith in our faith
Salvation is when I respond to God’s provision through Jesus Christ by turning from sin in repentance and turning to Christ in faith
There is only one posture ever appropriate toward Christ: Surrendered to His Lordship, and Trusting in what He did for me
Present posture is more important than Past memory
Making It Personal
- Do I have an assurance about my relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
- What is the basis of my assurance or lack of assurance?
- Am I walking in full surrender to Christ’s Lordship? What changes might need to be made?
Ready to take your Next Step?
- Text Next to 803-637-8484
- Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”