Text; Philippians 2:12
INTRODUCTION
•The story of creation and how man fell from grace by disobedience was the beginning of the quest for any form of redemption, and through the ages, humans have always needed some sorts of rescue, either divine or humanly initiated, to salvage bad situations they intentionally caused on themselves or inflated on others.
•For hundreds and thousands of years, countless numbers of animals were slaughtered in atonement for the sins of men, but that was never sufficient to completely heal man of his sins until God decided to give His only begotten Son as a sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29: The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!) that Humans might be wholly set free. So, SALVATION was was brought to the entire world.
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INTRODUCTION
•This lesson will help us understand, what is salvation, stages of salvation, how it was in the time of old, how God extended salvation to all mankind, our role in keeping to God's purpose of salvation, how we have to fight to maintain God's gift of salvation to us, and we'll conclude.
Aims of the lesson
•God has always been in the business of Salvation of man from damnation since the inception of the world, only those who care enough would usually benefit from His grace.
•Salvation is free today, Christ has paid the price, but it demands deep sense of responsibility and commitment by those who God have shown mercy, to remain in it.
•Philippians 2:12-13 NIV;[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
•The Fight for Salvation, is a fight till the end, anyone who gives up in the middle of the fight, loses everything.
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What is Salvation?
•Salvation as used in the old testament is derived from the Hebrew word "yasa" which means; to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver, set free. Commonly, the deliverance of which the Old Testament speaks is physical in nature, examples include; the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt, saving Noah and his family from the flood etc..
• On the other hand, the greek word "soter" for salvation in the New Testament also means; to save, deliver, redemption. While it may also entails physical preservation, it usually signifies a deliverance with special spiritual significance.
•In our context, Salvation is saving of human beings from sin and its consequences which include death and separation from God, by Christ's death and resurrection.
Stages of Salvation
•Instant Salvation: This is the point where God receives you into His kingdom of light by your obedience to the gospel through genuine repentance from all unrighteousness, confessing Jesus as the saviour and being baptized in His name. This happens instantaneously without any delay. (Acts 2:38).
•Ultimate Salvation: This is the final stage of salvation, that only those who persist or fight till the end will benefit from.
• I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2Timothy 4:7-8)
God delivered the Israelites
•God demonstrated His readiness to deliver His chosen children from the wicked Pharaoh and the entire Egyptians by deliberately protecting, nuturing and sending Moses to lead his people out of slavery and hopelessness to a better life of resourcefulness. Salvation from acute wickedness of the children of Israel was orchestrated by God, and implemented Moses.
•[7] The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. [8] So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. [9] And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. [10] So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodux 3:7-10)
Salvation for ALL MANKIND
•The plan to save the whole world was not an afterthought, but a well structured plan that saw God sent prophets, after prophet to prophesy about it long before Christ eventually came.
• When the time was ripe, God sent his only begotten Son, born of a woman, He was protected from King Herod, He grew in size, He walked among men, He had compassion on men, He fed thousands, He healed the sick, made the lame to walk, He taught men the ordinances of God, He raised the dead, and eventually He gave His life as Ransome by shedding His blood on the cross, to redeem ALL men from iniquities.
•Salvation was sealed on the cross, it's only those who care to believe and follow Him that will receive this gift.
•[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11 NIV
Guard your salvation
•It is usually imperative for people to jealously guard what really matters to them.
• Every Christian must deliberately fight against what threatens their salvation, and that can only happen if we regularly ask ourselves "what shall separate me from the love of God?"
•Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt.Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. Isaiah 59:1-3 NIV
•How long we've been baptized, how regularly we show up for church services and do good things around will mean little or nothing if do not combine these efforts with a holy living, which basically means; doing the right things even when no one is watching.
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How do we fight for Salvation
•Seek God first, by adhering to the true gospel, it is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16
•Abide by the word of God, let it dwell richly in your heart, that you might not sin against God. Psalm 119:11
•Don't serve God by convenience, salvation demands you sacrificing what will cost you your time, money, efforts and other valuable things.
•Take responsibility, own up your wrong doings and make amend where necessary. Every man will give account of all his/her actions on the day of judgement. 2Cor 5:10
•Don't always show up for church services, just to register your presence, always come with a purpose and convictions, and that should be, to give God true worship. John 4:23-24
•Rend your heart, and not your garment, genuine repentance is needed whenever we are overtaken by sin, and not just outward display of remorseless. Joel 2:13
Recap of the lesson
•What is salvation ~
•Stages of Salvation ~
•Salvation to the Israelites ~
•Salvation to ALL MANKIND ~
•Guard your Salvation ~
•How to fight for Salvation ~
Posted by Bro-Nelson-Oyibo
July 21, 2024, 10:01 a.m.