What is Salvation?
Definition: Salvation is the gift that God has given to us that we may be made righteous and have eternal life in Heaven.
The word "Salvation" means... "deliverance", "safety" or "to be saved." Having salvation saves us from Hell. Salvation is a free gift that we can either choose to accept or deny.
Everyone is a sinner and only the righteous will enter Heaven. Back in the old days, when the old testament was written a long time ago, people would sacrifice pure spotless lambs in order to be counted as saved. But then God sent His son, Jesus, into the world. He lived a sinless life (he didn't sin even once). When Jesus (the pure spotless lamb) came to die for our sins, He took all of our sins upon Him so that all who accept His gift could have eternal life in heaven. (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.") (2 Cor. 5:21 "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made righteous of God in Him.")
The Need For Salvation
“God's gift of eternal life is something I need!”
We must show people that they need to be saved! What kind of a person needs a doctor (Luke 5:31)? _________________________ What kind of a person needs a Savior (1 Timothy 1:15)? ___________________
Suppose you went up to a person and said, “Why don't you go into the hospital and let the doctors operate on you and cut you open. They can check things out and take a good look at your inner organs, and then they can sew you back together again.” Only a fool would follow this advice! But if that person knew that there was a deadly cancer in his body that would soon kill him unless removed, he would hurry to the doctor and he would gladly let the surgeon operate! A person must see his need!
Salvation Was Provided
“God's gift of eternal life was provided by Christ!”
God has what I need! We need to show people that Jesus Christ provided for their salvation when He died for their sins and rose again from the dead. After we show people their problem, then we must show them that Christ is the answer to their problem. After we show people their sin, then we must show them the Saviour! After we show them their sickness, then we must show them that Christ is the cure!
“Life Is short,
Death is sure,
Sin the cause,
Christ the cure!”
Salvation Is Offered
“God's gift of eternal life is offered to me!”
God desires how many men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)? _______ We need to show people God's wonderful invitation to receive His gift of life! People need to know that God wants them to be saved, invites them to be saved and even commands them to be saved (1 John 3:23). The Great Physician has a cure for the sickness of sin, and He tells all men that they must take this cure or else perish (John 3:16). God has a wonderful salvation which He offers to all (Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13).
Salvation Must Be Received
“God's gift of eternal life is something I must receive!”
A gift is not mine until I take it! Someone may even offer me a free gift, but I must take it and receive it, or else it is not mine. Medicine will do me no good unless I take the medicine!
We must show people that they must R_______________ Christ (John 1:12) by believing on His name! Faith in Christ is essential! People must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) because apart from Him there is no salvation (Acts 4:12).
There are only two choices a person can make. They can either receive Christ as Savior or reject Him. They can either believe or they can continue in disbelief. They can receive God's gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) or they can refuse to receive it. We must show people that they must receive God's gift and they must do it NOW (2 Corinthians 6:2).