Things that Accompany Salvation
Things that Accompany Salvation
Introduction:
1. The writer uses the word better because he is discussing the key thought of the book of Hebrews.
a. Better revelation
b. Better covenant
c. Better priesthood
d. Better promise
e. Better sacrifice
f. Better hope
g. Better blood
h. Better resurrection
2. Salvation is used in at least 2 ways in the scriptures.
a. First it describes deliverance from the power and effect of sin.
b. Second, it expresses entrance into heaven or eternal salvation.
c. If you want the 2nd you must have the 1st.
1) One must do something in order to be saved from past sins ( Acts 2:37-38)
2) One must work out his entrance into heaven ( Philippians 2:12)
3. There are some things which accompany salvation.
a. "belong to" or "connected with"
b. These things are never separated from salvation and will issue entrance into heaven.
c. These things show a person to be in a state of salvation or that they have salvation.
d. What things prove we have entrance into heaven?
I) First thing involves going on unto perfection. ( Hebrews 6:1)
A) Perfection references full growth or maturity
1. The word for perfection comes from the Greek word telos meaning end.
2. The primary emphasis is on upon Christian character but upon advanced learning of the higher teachings of Christ.
B) Perfection means we must master the first principles.
2. It takes time to be a mature Christian.
a. Hebrew's were Christians for 30 years and they were in need of being taught 1st Principle again.
b. One is not baptized today and expected to be a mature Christian tomorrow.
c. But we have to recognize that these Hebrews were severely rebuked for their lack of maturity.
3. In order to master the first principles one must be able to handle "strong meat."
a. There is not a thou shalt or thou shalt not for every situation.
b. But universal principles exist so we may use our senses to discern both good and evil.
c. Hebrews 5:14 -
C) Perfection implies that we are not laying again the foundation of our faith.
a. They must lay them up in their hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be always laying the foundation; they must grow, and build upon it.
b. There must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to support the building.
2. Christianity creates a passion for progression.
a. We are to take additional steps beyond those first principles.
b. These are not new steps but continuing steps build upon the solid foundation.
D) Perfection involves guarding against apostasy or "falling away."
a. "Falling away" means to slip away, deviate.
b. The principles set forth in Hebrews to prevent the Jewish Christians from falling away will help us as well.
2. Heed the words to God has given us. Hebrews 2:1-4
3. Hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of hope firm unto the end. Hebrews 3:6
4. Exhort one another daily. Hebrews 3:13
5. Labor to enter the rest that awaits the faithful of God. Hebrews 4:11
6. Depend upon the blood of Jesus to remove our sins and cleanse our conscience. Hebrews 9:11-14
II) Second thing are hope, faith, and patience.
B) Hope is built on a foundation of faith
1. Hebrews 6:9
2. The word "full assurance" means firm persuasion and refers to a state of mind where there is no doubt.
3. Hope is a compound emotion made up of an earnest desire for an object and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it.
4. Hope of heaven is the earnest desire for heaven and the expectation that one can obtain it.
C) Faith is essential to pleasing God.
1. Hebrews 11:6
a. Unbelief kept Israel out of the Promised Land.
b. Faith, then, provides us with the victory over the world.
2. Faith means taking God at his word.
3. Acts 27:25
D) Patience is steadfastness, faithfulness when the going gets tough.
1. Longsuffering is another way to understand it.
2. Those who learn the act of abiding under pressure are those who are able to go through life without breaking under the strain.
a. Abraham was 75 when God made him promise; and 100 when that promise was fulfilled.
b. Faith does not win its inheritance without persevering endurance.
c. Christians need patience because it undergirds the soul and provides the necessary faithfulness to Christ. Hebrews 6:12
III) Third thing includes the church
A) The church was God's eternal purpose.
2. Isaiah 2 prophesied the church would begin in the last days.
3. Daniel promised the church would begin during the Roman Empire.
4. Christ promised to build his church.
5. The church began on the 1st Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
B) The church is the saved and one cannot enjoy present salvation from sins and entry into heaven outside of the church.
1. To be in Christ is the same as being in His body, the church.
a. One is baptized into Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:13
b. One is baptized into Christ. Galatians 3:27
c. Therefore, to be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into the church.
d. It follows that if one can be saved without the church, then he can be saved without Christ.
2. Christ is the savior of body
b. The body is the church. Ephesians 1:22-23
c. Therefore, Christ is the Savior of the church.
d. It follows that if one can be saved outside of the church then one can be saved without a Savior.
3. Forgiveness of Sins is only in the body of Christ.
b. The body is the church. Ephesians 1:22
c. Therefore, forgiveness of sins is only in the church.
d. It follows that if one can be saved outside the church then one must argue that one can be saved without forgiveness of sins.
4. Those only in the body are reconciled to God.
b. The body is the church. Ephesians 1:22
c. Therefore, only those in the church are reconciled by God.
d. To argue that one is saved outside the church is to argue that one can be saved without being reconciled to God.
5. Only those in the church enjoy the benefits of the blood of Christ.
a. Christ shed his blood for the whole world. 1 John 2:2
b. Not all will be saved because all will not accept this blessing.
c. Every drop of Christ blood went into the purchase of the church. Acts 20:28.
d. To argue that one can be saved outside the church is to argue that one can be saved without the blood of Christ.
6. Only those in Christ can enjoy spiritual blessings.
a. Salvation is a spiritual blessing. 2 Timothy 2:10.
b. To be in Christ is to be in His Church.
c. To argue that one can be saved outside the church means that one can be saved without salvation.
Conclusion:
1. The choice is yours.
2. Are these thing things that you desire?
3. Your life will be better.
Posted in: Salvation, Sermon Outlines