A WORRIESOME SALVATION

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A WORRIESOME SALVATION

• What if the Lord returned ?

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Why Is This a Problem to Christians?

• T otal depravity
• U nconditional election
• L imited atonement
• I rresistable grace
• P erseverence of the saints

All of these are unbiblical concepts
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The Scriptures Teach that Men Can and Do Walk Away

• Matthew 135
• Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did
  not have much soil, and immediately they sprang
  up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when
  the sun rose they were scorched. And since they
  had no root, they withered away.  

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The Scriptures Teach that Men Can and Do Walk Away

• Acts 813, 23
• Even Simon himself believed, and after being
  baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing
  signs and great miracles performed, he was
  amazed.
• For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness
  and in the bond of iniquity.

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The Scriptures Teach that Men Can and Do Walk Away

• Hebrews 21-3
• Therefore we must pay much closer attention to
  what we have heard, lest we drift away from
  it. 2 For since the message declared by angels
  proved to be reliable, and every transgression or
  disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how
  shall we escape if we neglect such a great
  salvation? 

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The Scriptures Teach that Men Can and Do Walk Away

• Hebrews 64-6
•  For it is impossible, in the case of those who
  have once been enlightened, who have tasted the
  heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy
  Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the
  word of God and the powers of the age to
  come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore
  them again to repentance, since they are
  crucifying once again the Son of God to their own
  harm and holding him up to contempt

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The Scriptures Teach that Men Can and Do Walk Away

• 2 Peter 220-22
• For if, after they have escaped the defilements
  of the world through the knowledge of our Lord
  and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
  in them and overcome, the last state has become
  worse for them than the first. 21 For it would
  have been better for them never to have known the
  way of righteousness than after knowing it to
  turn back from the holy commandment delivered to
  them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened
  to them The dog returns to its own vomit, and
  the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow
  in the mire.

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The Christian who falls usually knows he/she is
falling

• Does God really mean what He says about forgiving
  me?
• What about my repetitive sins?
• Will I run out of chances sometime?

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• Galatians 325
• for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God,
  through faith. 

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• Ephesians 26-7
• and raised us up with him and seated us with him
  in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that
  in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable
  riches of his grace in kindness toward us in
  Christ Jesus.

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• 1 Peter 13-4
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
  Christ! According to his great mercy, he has
  caused us to be born again to a living hope
  through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
  dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable,
  undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• 1 John 17-8
• But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
  light, we have fellowship with one another, and
  the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all
  sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive
  ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we
  confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
  forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
  unrighteousness.   

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• 1 John 21-2
• My little children, I am writing these things to
  you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does
  sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
  Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation
  for our sins, and not for ours only but also for
  the sins of the whole world.

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How Shall We Address this Problem?? 3
Ways

1. We need to do a better job of equipping
   Christians for transforming
2. Be more open, encouraging, and helpful when
   temptations come knocking

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• Hebrews 1023-25
• Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
  without wavering, for he who promised is
  faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up
  one another to love and good works, 25 not
  neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of
  some, but encouraging one another, and all the
  more as you see the Day drawing near.

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Werent the Apostles Clear about Our Adoption as
Sons?

• Romans 1210-15
• Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo
  one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be
  slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the
  Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in
  tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute
  to the needs of the saints and seek to show
  hospitality.
• 14 Bless those who persecute you bless and do
  not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who
  rejoice, weep with those who weep.

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How Shall We Address this Problem?? 3
Ways

1. We need to do a better job of equipping
   Christians for transforming
2. Be more open, encouraging, and helpful when
   temptations come knocking
3. Defeat the idea that teaching on grace, mercy,
   and forgiveness is denominational

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• Luke 1232
•  Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's
  good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
• Romans 1513
• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
  peace in believing, so that by the power of the
  Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.