What It Means To Be Saved

Temple Baptist Church - 1-17-2010

Psalms 40:1-3

Introduction:

A. In these verses, we see the word “salvation” found 3 times. The word “salvation” is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Normally, in the Old Testament, the word gives the meaning of deliverance and safety. When either Israel or an individual encountered a problem, they cried unto the Lord and He delivered them to a place of safety. David found himself often in such a case and many times cried unto the Lord for deliverance. He found God to be faithful!

B. In the New Testament, the normal use of the word speaks of redemption and security. God does deliver us in our circumstances on occasion and place us in a place of safety but I want to use these verses to illustrate just what happens to the child of God when they are redeemed.

C. Those of us who are saved will find within these verses the marvelous wonders of our salvation. I fear that we often forget just what God did for us when He redeemed us. It is of no wonder that the Holy Ghost called it “so great a salvation” in the second chapter of the Book of Hebrews.

D. I just want to look at these verses and spend a little time thanking God for His wonderful goodness to this preacher. This morning, while the world is going mad, I am saved—secured—and satisfied with my Saviour!

1. The Dilemma Of The Sinner – vs. 2 The sinner must realize where he is before he can be saved. If you never get lost, you will never get saved. So many people believe that they are alright and have always been alright with God.

a. The Unsaved Are In A Low Place – If you are unsaved this morning you are in a low place. This wicked world will eat you alive. Your wicked flesh will eat you alive.

b. The Unsaved Are In A Horrible Place – King David said “there is but a step between me and death!” What a horrible place to be in if you are unsaved. I am in the same place but that last step will begin my eternity with the Lord.

c. The Unsaved Are In A Miry Place – If you are unsaved this morning, you cannot pull yourself out of where you are. You may become a millionaire but you will still be lost. You may become famous but you will still be lost. You may even be what we call a good person but you will still be lost.

2. The Call Of The Hopeless – vs. 1

a. There Was A Recognition Of Need – The psalmist saw where he was: a horrible pit. There are two reasons why people do not get saved. Some simply do not want the Lord Jesus Christ and love their sin. Others never realize that they are lost and have need of salvation. Their religion makes them feel good about themselves.
b. There Was A Realization Of Hopelessness – The psalmist recognized his inability: miry clay. If you are lost this morning, you will never get saved as long as you think that you have the slimiest hope of making it by yourself.

c. There Was A Resolve To Cry Out – The psalmist turned to the only One who could help: the Lord. If you are lost this morning, your only help and hope is Jesus Christ.

3. The Deliverance Of The Saviour – vs. 1-2

a. He Inclined His Ear – The Lord awaits with anticipation for the cry of the lost. He is not willing that any should perish. His ears are open and waiting for the repentant sinner to call.

b. He Heard The Cry – The Lord hears their faintest cry. He hears both the cry of their lips and the cry of their hearts. He has never turned away anyone who has come to him by faith and he never will. You whisper a sinner’s prayer and he hears.

c. He Brought Him Out – There is not one sinner, no matter what he has done and no matter where he is, that the Lord cannot immediately and completely save. He is able to bring them out of whatever situation that they are in.

4. The Position Of The Saint – vs. 2-3

a. He Set His Feet Upon A Rock – What a standing! A Rock so secure that no power in heaven or on earth can move it. Jesus Christ is the Rock of our salvation and we are so secure that nothing past, present, or future can move us or remove us!

b. He Established His Goings – We that are saved are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. I will deal a little more with this in a few moments but, He establishes our goings, not we ourselves did so. It is God and all of God!
e. He Filled His Heart With Joy – The Lord brought a new life to each and every believer. A “new song” that is different from the songs of the world. A joy unspeakable and full of glory!

5. The Change Of The Redeemed – vs. 4

a. It Is An Inward Change – We become new creatures. An old preacher once said, “If you ain’t changed, you ain’t saved!” I whole heartedly agree. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It all begins with a heart change.

b. It Is An Outward Change – The child of God begins to conform to the image of the Son of God. To be Christian is to be like Christ. “Christian” has become a generic term to represent anyone and everyone who has any religion where the name of Christ is mentioned. God’s people act like God’s people.

c. It Is An Observed Change – You confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus for sure but your life will reflect the Lord Jesus and the world will know that you are saved. They not only will observe your life change but they will also fear. The life of the saved “shows up” the lives of the lost in a right way and points them to Christ.