Salvation: Plain And Simple

Temple Baptist Church - 6-6-2010

Isaiah 45:20-25

Introduction:

A. Tonight, I will have the pleasure; the privilege to baptize one of our young ladies. I want to say with the Apostle John, “I have no greater joy” than to see our children come to Christ and walk in the ways of truth! What a blessing to see them saved at an early age and grow up to live for Christ.

1. Saved at an early age before Satan has a chance to defile or destroy them.

2. Saved at an early age while their hearts are still tender.

3. Saved at an early age while their lives are still pure and useable.

B. Praise the Lord! I thank God that He is still in the saving business and Heaven gets sweeter every day!

C. Salvation has been confused by so many and made difficult to understand by many others. The world has added to faith for salvation while soul winners have made it hard to be understand. Good Bible terms such as "saved", "blood bought"; "blood washed"; "born again"; "redeemed" are used but are confusing to those who do not understand them. Tonight, I want to make it as simple as the Bible makes it simple.

D. In verse 21, we see that the Lord is:

1. A Just God – the holiness of God demands divine justice! Sin must be paid for and no sin goes unnoticed.

Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.

Psalms 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry [with the wicked] every day.

2. A Saviour – the love of God declares a simple salvation! Salvation has been complicated through false teachings with the god of this world blinding the minds of the lost.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1. The Source Of Salvation – vs. 22 - "Look unto ME"; "I am God and there is none else."

a. This verse is crystal clear! There is no doubt that God says that salvation can only be found in Him alone! There is only one road to Heaven; there is only one remedy for sin; there is but one way to escape from Hell; and that is through God's salvation.

b. Salvation does not come through the church, the baptistery, a denomination, or through family associations. It comes only through Jesus Christ.

c. Salvation can not be obtained through good deeds and clean living. It comes only through Jesus Christ.

d. This verse makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the only way that man can come to God. If a man must have a million dollars to be called a millionaire, then he must have Christ to be called a Christian, 1 John 5:12.

e. No one goes to Heaven because they are a Baptist or anything else. They do not get to go because they are good people. They do not get to go because they have done good things or because they have been a good person. A person goes to Heaven because he is in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is seeking sand.

2. The Scope Of Salvation – vs. 22 - "All the ends of the earth."

a. One of the truths about God's salvation that makes it so great is the fact that it is for every individual in the whole world! It is not offered to a select few, but to "whosoever will".

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

b. When Jesus Christ went to the cross and died for sin, He was dying for all mankind! The cross is proof that God loves you and I.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

3. The Simplicity Of Salvation – vs. 22 - "LOOK unto me"

a. Notice carefully the wording of the text. Does it say "Look unto me and be and be baptized and join the church."? No! Does it say, "Look unto me and pay your tithes."? No! Does it say, "Look unto me and live right."? No! Does it say, "Look unto me, turn over a new leaf and promise never to sin again."? No! It merely says "Look unto me."

b. Salvation is so simple that people often stumble over it. They have a hard time believing that it can be so simple. But, the Gospel can be related by reading 2 verses:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

4. The Security Of Salvation – vs. 22 - "and be ye saved."

a. The Bible says that those who look to the Lord will be saved.

b. When Jesus saves a lost soul, He does it eternally! He does it forever!

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

Conclusion: Do you have that kind of salvation? Do you know for sure that you are saved and on your way to Heaven? My heart’s desire for Temple is that every member be saved and sure.