Salvation’s Progression

Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2014

 

Titus 1:1-2

 

Introduction:

A. As we get farther down the road time wise, we will find a greater lack of desire for Christ coupled with a progressive deterioration in society.

B. The signs of false salvation: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

1. The “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians 2 is in full swing. The last days are now being manifest on every hand:

2. The Laodicean Church Age has been here for generations.

3. The prevalence of a religious experience that does not produce a change of life.

4. The demonization of good and exaltation of evil. Good is called evil and evil good.

5. The forsaking of the good way (Old Paths) for the way of popularity and worldliness.

C. The signs of biblical salvation: Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1. A change of life - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. An obedience to God’s will - Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

3. A desire to live a life for Christ - Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

D. As we open our series on the Book of Titus, Paul ascribes 4 attributes historically common that accompany salvation:

1. Faith – “according to the faith of God's elect.” God’s people have a special faith that is peculiar. James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

a. It is Historical Faith. Galatians 3:6-7 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (This distinct saving faith can be traced back through the millenniums. This not some newfangled faith that fits the heretical teaching of our day but a consistent faith that has biblical basis.)

b. It is a Common Faith. Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Romans 10 says that there is no difference in saving faith. All come to Christ as bankrupt sinners, trusting Him alone for salvation.)

2. Acknowledgement of Truth – “and the acknowledging of the truth.” God’s people have a special unction from the Holy One: the blessed Holy Ghost that lives with them.

a. God’s people are Teachable in Doctrine. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (The natural man cannot receive or discern spiritual truth because it is spiritually discerned. Sheep are followers by nature while goats are more individualistic. God’s people have an unction from the Holy Spirit and know all things because He leads into all truth.)

b. God’s people are Historical in Doctrine. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (For centuries, biblical doctrine has been historical doctrine. The word of God and biblical doctrines are consistent. There have always been heretics, but in these last days, there is another Jesus—another spirit—and new doctrines. I do not believe in Baptist Succession but I do believe in Biblical Succession! True bible believers have always believed the same doctrines!)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

3. God’s people are characterized by Godliness – “which is after godliness”

a. Saving grace teaches Godliness - Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (I believe that God saves eternally. The bible declares this to be so because no man is able to merit salvation nor is he good enough to maintain it. I have heard most of life that eternal life becomes license to sin. This is a false assumption. Saving grace produces godliness of life. Not perfection but a changed life.)

b. Saving grace produces a Desire for Godliness - 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (Repentance, which finds its foundation in godly sorrow, is a willful turning from sin to God. God’s people are neither sinless nor can they be in their wicked flesh but they have a desire to be like Christ.)

4. God’s people are characterized by Hope – “In hope of eternal life” When the word “hope” is used, it is not that we hope we are saved but rather a blessed assurance: our blessed hope! Hope is a trusting expectation for a certain thing to happen.

a. A blessed hope of Heaven Forever as our Home. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

b. A blessed hope of the soon Return of our loving Lord. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;