As we look around us in the world, we see a lot of things that are not right. The headlines on the St. Louis Post Dispatch website on Friday related to abortion, the upcoming election, an ethics complaint against the County Library, a new casino in Cape Girardeau and the arrest of a serial robber in St. Louis. What do most of those items have in common? All except the election news have to do with sin, people doing things that are wrong and hurt others. …
In our current message series, we’re talking about salvation. We want to understand what salvation is all about, so that we can comprehend it for ourselves and so that we can explain it to others. I believe that God has destined each believer to bring others to salvation, by praying for them and witnessing to them. Yet, oftentimes, we count ourselves out. We think, Oh, I could never lead someone to Jesus. I could never tell someone else how to be saved. Yet, that’s God’s plan for you and me. To lead others to Jesus. …
We are currently in a message series called “All About Salvation.” Salvation has to do with eternal destinies. What do Americans today believe about the afterlife? Over 80% of Americans believe in life after death. Over 70% believe that heaven and hell exist. When you ask people where do they think they will end up, only one-half of one percent believe that they will go to hell. 64% believe that they will go to heaven and 24% have no idea where they will go after death. Bottom line, the vast majority of people think that they will probably go to heaven or they at least have hope that they will go to heaven. …
We are currently in a message series called “All About Salvation.” The whole topic of salvation is a very controversial topic these days. 80% of Americans believe that many religions lead to God. They reason, it really doesn’t matter which one you pick, as long as you sincerely follow it. In the end, you’ll be saved.
Since that view is so prevalent today, let’s think about it. There are many religions in the world. The major world religions in order of size are: Christianity, Islam, Non-religious/Secular, Hinduism, Chinese traditional religions and Buddhism. If you’ve taken any kind of class in comparative religion, you’ll immediately recognize that all of these religions are very different. The God they each claim to worship is very different and their ways to reach God are different as well. So how can all these different religions lead to the same God? The truth is they can’t. In fact, each of these religions worships different gods, for there are supernatural beings that are not God. …
Last Sunday, we began a new message series called “All About Salvation.” In this series, we looking at what God’s word has to say about the important topic of salvation. We’re concentrating on looking at the first 3 chapters of the book of Romans.
Last Sunday, our message from Romans 1 was entitled “Understanding God’s Wrath.” We learned that everyone ought to worship God because God has revealed Himself to everyone in creation. However, people don’t worship God, they worship created things, which is sin. Because of this sin, everyone who doesn’t worship their creator is under God’s wrath. God still loves them, but until they accept His salvation, they are under His wrath and destined for an eternity in hell. We also learned that God gives people who don’t put Him first in their lives over to sins of sexual impurity, homosexuality and a depraved mind. …
Today, we begin a new message series called “All About Salvation.” The topic of salvation is really the most important topic in the world. Your understanding of salvation and reaction to it will determine the success of your life on this earth and your eternal destiny in the next life. In one sense, salvation is simple. I present a simplified way to understand how to be saved every Sunday. A, B, C. Admit your sins, Believe in Jesus, Commit your life to Him.
Yet, as I talk to people and read, it seems to me that there is much misunderstanding about the whole topic of salvation. Although the concept of salvation in the Bible can be explained simply so that a child can understand, there also is a depth of wisdom in the Bible that God wants us to know. …
