Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation - Part 1 - The Common Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 9-21-2025

Jude 1-3

 

A.  The importance of the Doctrine of Soteriology?  Because there is so much confusion on the subject, as most major denominations view salvation in different ways, and if you do not get salvation right, nothing else matters!

 

1.  Religion is comfortable, as you can live a sinful life and be right with God.

 

2.  Look at the results of religion in the Bible Belt.  From godliness to “Sipping and

Strolling on the Square.”

 

3.  Nudity instead of Modesty. Witness to them, and they all profess to belong to a church.

 

4.  Unfaithfulness instead of Faithfulness to the Church on Sunday.

 

5.  The list could go on, but I think that we all get it.

 

B.  I chose a familiar text to begin the Doctrine of Salvation that gives us two words that tell us that everyone, in all dispensations, gets saved the same way!  Like it or not, the “common salvation” is a doctrinal truth that is well established in the Bible.  We are Biblicists!  The Bible is the FINAL AUTHORITY for both faith and practice.  Therefore, leave your denominational teachings on salvation outside and listen to what God says on the subject.

 

1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

C.  Our day is full of spiritual confusion.  I want to read a couple of verses and apply them to our lesson on Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation.

 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (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.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 

D.  It is imperative that we understand that salvation is the same for all.  It is a “common salvation.” 

 

E. The Book of Jude is one of the epistles written concerning the apostasy both present then and prophetic of our day. 

 

1. Apostasy was already prevalent in Jude’s day – almost 2,000 years ago.  2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

 

2. The spirit of Antichrist was there, and disciples were being drawn away.  1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 

F. The very foundation of our faith is now under satanic attack from both without and within.  Jude is all about infiltration! 

 

1.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches is saved. 

 

2.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches loves the Lord. 

 

3.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches loves the Word of God.

 

G. Look again at the description of the saved in these opening verses.  “When I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation.”

 

1. True Biblical salvation is indeed “common” to all of God’s children. 

 

a)  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something cheap or inexpensive.  Salvation is free, not cheap.  It cost God His Son!  Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

b)  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something plenteous.  Supply and demand.  Too much supply is cheap while too much demand brings a rise in worth.  There is still a remnant according to the election of grace! 

 

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

c)  By “common,” the Bible means that salvation is the same for all of God’s children! 

 

2. If you listen to the voices of “Christendom,” you will be completely confused!  There are so many “voices” out there that are clamoring for people’s attention.  Radio, Television, the internet, etc., are full of false doctrine and have very little truth. 

 

3. Hidden Gospel.  In religion, the Gospel is there in most cases but hidden among the ritual.  Jesus Christ is hidden among the idols. Satan has blinded the minds of the religious to hide the “Glorious Gospel of Christ!”

 

2 Corinthians 4:1-6  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  (2)  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  (3)  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (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.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

4. The result is churches full of lost members?  The answer is straightforward: people changed Biblical salvation to fit their own religion or personal experience instead of following God’s way, a plain path of salvation found in the Bible.  I have often said that we MUST conform our doctrine to the Bible, not make the Bible conform to our doctrine.  Now, we have many different ways to heaven instead of one way: God’s way that is found in the King James Bible.

 

5. The hiding of the Gospel produces a false salvation of works or personal merit; some say that salvation is a mixture of works or personal merit and faith; some say that salvation requires water baptism; some say that salvation requires you to be a member of their church; some say that salvation can be through Christ or Mary; some say that you must endure to the end to be saved; the few, who are correct, say that salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ alone.

 

H. They have the same characteristics because they are born into the same family.  They have the same genetics or spiritual DNA!

 

1.  All are called from Sin to Christ!

 

2.  All are called from Vanity to Purpose!

 

3.  All are called from Ungodliness to Holiness!

 

4.  All are called from Dishonor to Honor!

 

J.  How are we saved?  By a new, spiritual birth, which is by grace (UNDERSERVED) through faith alone!

 

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (Salvation is a birth!  And, there are no exceptions to the rule!)

 

John 3:16-18  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.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (The birth is a faith in the finished work of Christ.)

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (The birth and faith are Bible based!)

 

Acts 16:30-31  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  (31)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

Romans 10:9-10  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.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (Repentance from dead works and faith are necessary for salvation.  “Dead works” is man’s effort to obtain salvation through personal merit.  Works that cannot save are dead works.  Faith that does not work is dead faith!  We do not work to be saved, but our salvation creates within us a desire to serve and live for Christ.)

 

K. All is changed from the old man and conformed to the new man.  We are all being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  Not to be changed and conformed is not to be saved.  I understand that there are varying degrees of obedience among God’s children, but all have the Holy Spirit and all have desire.

 

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.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

L. Our Common Salvation is a finished work!  Since it is God who begins a good work in us, it is He who carries it out. This is what makes us similar despite our differences. It is also what sets us apart from “Christendom.”

 

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.  (The mercy and grace of God are both the spring and fountain of everything that we have or ever hope for.)

 

M.  We all share the same salvation, the same Spirit, the same witness, and the same testimony. Notice with me the reversal of order in verses 1 and 2.

 

1.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Sanctification – The means of sanctification is Multiplied Mercy (to separate from and to consecrate to) – vs. 1 (Sympathy)

 

a. We Are Sanctified Through His Will - John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 

b. We Are Sanctified Through His Word - John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

2.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Security – The fruit of our security is Multiplied Peace (to attend to and to take care of) – vs. 1  (Serenity)

 

a. We Are Powerfully Kept - 1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

b. We Are Permanently Kept - 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.

 

c. We Are Perfectly Kept - Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

d.  We Are Peacefully Kept - 1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

3.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Seeking – The basis of our calling is Multiplied Love – vs. 1  (Sovereignty)

 

a. There Was A Sovereign Call (Do not let the word “sovereignty alarm you. God is completely sovereign, but in His sovereignty, He extended His call to salvation through grace alone. By sovereign call, the Bible says that God chose to save us through His marvelous grace, not by our works.)

 

1) The Call Came Through Grace Alone - 2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

 

2) The Call Came Through the Gospel Alone - Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

b. There Was A Sovereign Choice – Matthew 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.  (My Bible says that, though the many are called, few are saved!  The difference is the choice! God’s sovereign choice was to save those who came to Him by faith!)

 

Proverbs 1:24  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;  (Man has the choice to come to God or to reject Him!)

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (God’s choosing came through our “belief of the truth.”)

 

c. There Was A Sovereign Conversion - Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (It is God’s way or the “highway” to hell!  Our salvation is a “common” salvation because it is inclusive to only those who come to God His way.)

Our Common Salvation

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-19-2025

1 Corinthians 1:1-3; Jude 1-3

 

Introduction: 

 

1 Corinthians 1:1-3  Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,  (2)  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:  (3)  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Jude 1-3  Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:  (2)  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.  (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.

 

A.  As we continue our study of 1 Corinthians, we find many similarities between the carnal and worldly Corinthian church and the Laodicean churches of our time.

 

1.  The Corinthian church was filled with new believers who were unfamiliar with the ways of the Lord. They did not have access to the complete Word of God, as it was still being written, and there were no printing presses to distribute the Old Testament widely.

 

2.  Additionally, this was a Gentile church, comprised of people not raised with the Word of God, unlike the Jews.

 

3.  In contrast, the Laodicean churches of today have grown up with God's Word and local churches readily available. The Corinthians were carnal due to their recent conversion, whereas the Laodiceans are carnal by choice.

 

4.  The former is much more "fixable" than the latter!

 

B.  One key similarity between these two is that of a common conversion. Both the Corinthians and the Laodiceans were converted in the same manner.

 

1.  This message is crucial because we live in a time where many major denominations have altered or added to the biblical concept of conversion.

 

2.  Today, everyone seems to have their own opinion on salvation, but these opinions often differ from one another and, more importantly, the differ from the Bible. The Bible is and must be our final authority for both faith and practice, not religious traditions or personal interpretations!

 

3.  Verse two shows the conversion of the Corinthians was a biblical one. 

 

C.  To accurately interpret a verse of Scripture, it is essential to understand who God is addressing and whether the verse should be viewed from beginning to end or from end to beginning. God perceives all things in the light of eternity, which is timeless, and He knows the end from the beginning and vice versa. Verse two is seen from the end to the beginning. Why is this important? The difference lies in the perspective of the Calvinist versus the truth of God concerning salvation!

 

D.  Calvinism teaches that sanctification and election precede salvation, rather than following it. Thus, teaching that the saint was predestined and elect unto salvation from eternity past.  The Select Elect is a damnable heresy.  I am not here to preach on the fallacy of the TULIP Theology known as Calvinism and Reformed Theology.  If any of you have any questions on the subject, just come and ask.  This verse should be enough,

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

E.  In verse 2, it is clear that these individuals are already saved, as the verse reflects a retrospective view rather than a prospective one. This verse delineates three stages of the believer's journey:

 

1 Corinthians 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

 

1.  Personal Salvation – “all that … call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

 

2.  Practical Separation – “called to be saints”

 

3.  Positional Sanctification – “sanctified in Crist Jesus”

 

F.  Salvation has always been a "common salvation." Some teachings, like Ruckmanism, suggest that salvation required faith plus works in the Old Testament, is attained by faith alone through grace in the Church Age, and again requires faith plus works during the Tribulation Period known as “Jacob’s Trouble.”

 

1.  The Old Testament Saint.  Acts 15:10-11  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  (11)  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

2.  The New Testament Saint.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,  (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

3.  The Tribulation Saint.  Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

G.  What is “common” salvation?

 

1.  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something cheap or inexpensive.  Salvation is free, not cheap.  It cost God His Son!  Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

2.  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something plenteous.  There is still a remnant according to the election of grace!  Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

3.  By “common,” the Bible means that salvation, characteristics-not circumstances, is the same for all God’s children! 

 

a)  If we are saved, we are saved the same way as every other believer throughout the millenniums.  The circumstances that surrounded each of us at the time of salvation may differ, but the characteristics of our salvation experience were the same. 

 

b)  Repentance from dead works (knowing that you are hopeless and helpless within yourself and with godly sorrow turning to God through faith in a finished product called the Gospel.

 

H.  Every child of God shares the same characteristics because they are part of the same spiritual family, possessing the same spiritual DNA.

 

1.  All are called from Sin to Christ!

 

2.  All are called from Vanity to Purpose!

 

3.  All are called from Ungodliness to Holiness!

 

4.  All are called from Dishonor to Honor!

 

J.  How are we saved?

 

1.  Through a New Birth.  There are NO exceptions which is show in the word “except.”  John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 

 

2.  Through the Word of God.  “Marvel not that I said unto thee.”

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

 

3.  Through Faith Alone.

 

Ephesians 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 

Romans 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

O What A Saviour! - Thanksgiving 2023

Temple Baptist Church - 11-15-2023

Jude 24-25

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We are approaching Thanksgiving and my thoughts are turning to the things that I am thankful for. 

 

1.  We have so much to be thankful for and I am not here to try to innumerate then as we would be here for a while.

 

2.  The greatest thing that I am thankful for is eternal life and the hope of heaven with Christ forever. 

 

3.  Jude 24-25 are two of the greatest verses in the bible concerning God’s eternal salvation and love.  I want to look at these two verses for a few minutes.

 

B.  In verses 4-19, Jude describes the spiritual apostasy or “falling away” that would come in the last perilous times and its possible affect upon God’s children.  Spiritually, we live in the days of Noah, Lot, and Laodicea at the same time.  Wickedness, both physical and spiritual, permeates our society.

 

C.  In verses 20-23, we find a spiritual contrast between the true believer and the apostate.  The contrast is stark!  We struggle with the flesh and strive to remain true to the One who gave himself for us.

 

1.  The Book of Jude describes the conditions of the end time as there must be those who earnestly contend for the faith once delivered.  Unfortunately, we live in the 2 Thessalonian days of the “falling away.”

 

2.  I am thankful tonight that our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ is able to keep us from falling.  By falling, Scripture is not talking about falling down as every one of us do that at times. 

 

Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

 

3.  Verse 24 speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ keeping us from “falling” away.  God’s children are kept by God while the children of religion are kept by self.  That should be enough to make a dead Baptist praise the Lord!

 

D.  In verse 24, we find several things:

 

1.  The salvation of God in Jesus Christ alone!  “Now unto him!”  IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM! 

 

a)  We live in the days of self-righteousness when most professing “Christians” mix personal merit with faith for salvation: good works, baptism, church membership, etc. 

 

b)  You can never be truly saved until you come to the end of self and place your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.  Any mixture of works or personal merit destroys the grace of God and, therefore, the salvation of God.

 

2.  The mercy of God in our sinfulness!  “Able to keep you from falling!”  

 

a)  In the Book of Lamentations, we see that it is of the mercies of God that we are consumed.  We stumble, we fail, but God keeps us safely in His arms anyway! 

 

b)  Salvation is not the grace of God and then the perseverance of the saints.  Salvation is the grace of God and the PRESERVATION of the saints!

 

3.  The grace of God in our presentation!  “And to present you faultless!” 

 

a)  The word is “faultless,” not “forgiven!”  Forgiven means that we are guilty but the penalty is removed.  Faultless means completely free of offense. 

 

b)  Heaven is all about the grace of God!  As mercy is not getting what we deserve, grace is getting what we do not deserve.

 

c)  We are in Christ Jesus and in Christ Jesus is no fault at all. 

 

4.  The realization of our position!  “Before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!” 

 

a)  I cannot describe what that moment will be like when we stand in His presence in our eternal state of purity and joy!  “We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is!”

 

b)  I can only say, with the songwriter, “O that will be glory for me; glory for me; glory for me.  When by His grace I shall look on His face; that will be glory; be glory for me!”

 

E.  What will we do in that moment when we stand before Him in all of our perfection and realize what has taken place?  I believe that the answer is actually found in both verses 24 and 25.  Both of these verses comprise what is called a doxology. 

 

1.  A doxology in the church is a liturgical expression of praise: praise that is both purposed and planned.  We come to church with the purpose of singing to and talking about the One who saved us by His marvelous grace.

 

2.  But, in the bible, it is rather a spontaneous response to the Person and Goodness of our great God!

 

F.  What wonder we find in these verses that should inspire our Thanksgiving!

 

1.  It is Unto Him: Our Doxology will be a recognition and thankfulness for what He has done!  “Now unto Him … To the only wise God our Saviour”  Psalms 100:3-4  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (Now unto Him says it all!  We will praise and glorify the Lamb of God forever for what He has done!  I have never gotten over being saved and a child of God and eternity will be filled with His praises!)

 

2.  It is All About Him:  There will be a recognition of His infinite wisdom in dealing with us!  “To the wise God our Saviour!”  Ephesians 1:3-10  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  (4)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  (5)  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  (6)  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (7)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  (8)  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  (9)  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  (10)  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  (These verses say it all!  His wisdom in reconciling eternally sinful man with a thrice holy God with the purpose of receiving us unto Himself!  Here, we find three couplets :)

 

a.  “Glory and Majesty” – The glory and majesty of His Person, works, and great salvation.  O, what a Saviour!  There was none before Him, there is none like Him, and there will be none after Him!  Do you know Him?

 

b.  “Dominion and Power” – The kingdom of nature as well as the kingdom of heaven belong to Him!  With his dominion goes the power: He made it and He sustains it!  In the Model Prayer, our Lord taught us to pray:   “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”  (Matthew 6:13) 

 

c.  “Now and Forever” – Our praise in heaven will be spontaneous because, in our life, we cannot imagine the thrill, the joy, and the thanksgiving that we will experience at that time.  We will praise Him forever.  Now, our praise must be purposed!  As we are to “let our requests be known to God” with thanksgiving (that is to thank God in advance for how He answers our request), we are to praise the Lord for all He has done for us here and for what He has promised to do for us in eternity.