THE GREAT SALVATION 

Beggs March 7, 2021

READ: Heb.2:1‑4

INTRODUCTION:

1. We turn to the Bible to learn what makes the salvation that Christ offers so great.
2. We do this because the Bible is our standard in all matters of the soul, Psa.119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
3. II Tim.3:16‑17 Quote!
4. IF THE BIBLE SAYS IT, THAT SETTLES IT! WE MUST OBEY IT.
5. Our study will show how foolish it is to neglect the great salvation offered by Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION:

1. SALVATION IS SO GREAT BECAUSE IT IS ETERNAL.
2. There are salvations recorded in the Bible, and history, but those are temporal.
3. Christ’s salvation is so great because it gives the truly worthwhile life now and eternally, Jn.10:10b, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Mark 10:29‑30, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels. But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
4. CHRIST’S SALVATION IS SO GREAT BECAUSE CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF SALVATION, IS SO GREAT.
5. Jn.14:6, “I am the way, I am the life and I am the way, no man cometh to the father but by me”.
6. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
7. Matt.17:5, “While he spoke, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”’
8. Matt.28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”.
9. John 6:68‑69, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
10. READ BIBLE: Phil.2:9‑11, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
11. Col.1:18, “And he is the head of the church: who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre‑eminence.”
12. Heb.12:1‑2 our reading.
13. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is to our salvation what the sun is to the solar system.

III. CHRIST’S SALVATION IS SO GREAT BECAUSE IT SAVES US FROM HELL. Matt:25:41 & 46, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” 46, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.”

1. The Bible teaches that all have sinned.
2. Rom.3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
3. Rom.6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
4. 1 Jn.1:8 & 10, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
5. The Bible pictures how ugly sin really is!
6. Isa.59:1‑2, “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that he cannot hear; But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
7. READ: 2 Thess.1:7‑9, “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, ⁸in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 
8. “Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44, 46, 48.
9. “Outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt.25:30.
10. How thrilling to miss that place called hell. How wonderful the great salvation.
11. THE SALVATION OF CHRIST IS SO GREAT BECAUSE IT IS SALVATION IN HEAVEN.
12. Heb.5:8‑9, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
13. Matt.7:21, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven.”
14. Jn. 14:15, “If you love me keep my commandments.”
15. 4. READ: 2 Pet.1:5‑11, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.¹⁰Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1. THE SALVATION IS SO GREAT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE PAID FOR IT.
2. Jn.3:16 Quote!
3. 1 Pet.1:18‑19, “For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spit.”

Neglecting The Salvation  POD 1-3-6

1. Like a loving parent warns his or her child of anything that would hurt them, God, our loving heavenly father, gives a most solemn warning. Heb.2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
2. We talked about the great salvation last week and it is great because it is Eternal, Christ the source of salvation is great, It saves us from hell, It’s destiny is heaven.
3. GOD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SMALLEST INFRACTION OF THE LAW OF MOSES.
4. Heb.2:2, “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.”
5. Exo.20:8‑11, 8 “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.” Because the Lord blessed that day and hallowed it.”
6. Numbers 15:32‑36, A man was caught picking up sticks on the Sabbath day and the Lord said he must be stoned to death.
7. Numbers 4:15 God gave a rule that the sons of Kohath shall not touch any holy thing or they would die.
8. 2 Sam.6:6‑7, Uzzah touched the arc of God to keep it from falling, and God smote him there for his error and he died.
9. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO NEGLECT THE GREAT SALVATION?
10. Neglect = to slight; to treat carelessly or indifferently; to give little attention; to show little concern; a don’t care attitude.
11. One does not have to take a hammer and chisel and knock his teeth out to destroy them ‑ just neglect them.

III. WHAT IS THE GREAT SALVATION? WHAT IS INCLUDED?

1. The care of the widows and orphans are a part of the great salvation. James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
2. Keeping ourselves pure from the ways of the world are also included. Jas.1:27; Rom.12:1‑2, “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Matt.5:14‑16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.”

1. Preaching the gospel of Christ to all of the world is included in the great salvation. Mark 16:15‑16, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

1 Tim.3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

1. Believing in Jesus as the Son of God and being baptized is a part of the great salvation. Mark 16:15‑16, Acts 2:36‑38, Peter was preaching the first gospel sermon then said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” 
2. Treating others like you would have them to treat you is also apart of the great salvation. Matt.7:12.
3. Communicating with God in Bible study and prayer is also apart. 2 Tim.2:15, 1 Thess.5:17 QUOTE!
4. The church assembling for worship is a part of the great salvation. Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week,, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech unto midnight.” Heb.10:25 Quote!
5. Stewardship is a part of the great salvation. Psa.24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.”
6. Acts 4:32 The early Christians gave all they had for the church.
7. 1 Cor.16:1‑2 Tells us to give as the Lord has prospered us on the first day of the week.
8. 2 Cor.9:6‑7 Says we will reap as we sow, and we are to give as we purpose in our heart, not grudgingly of necessity but be a cheerful giver.
9. 2 Cor.8:5 The early Christians first gave themselves to the Lord then gave beyond what was expected.
10. Putting Christ, God and the church first is also a part of the great salvation. 1. Matt.22:37‑38 tells us to love the Lord with all of our being.
11. Col.1:18, “And he is the head of the church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have pre‑eminence.” Matt.6:33 Quote!
12. OUR LOVING FATHER ASKS THE PENETRATING QUESTION, “HOW SHALL CHRISTIANS ESCAPE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IF THEY NEGLECT THE SUPERIOR LAW OF CHRIST?”
13. The question, “How shall we escape?” was the Lord’s way of saying in the clearest manner, “There is no escape for all who slight or neglect the great salvation.”

1. There is only one salvation from sin. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is not other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

CONCLUSION:

1. Beloved, the most traveled road to hell is neglect. Matt.7:13, “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:”
2. We ought, therefore, to pay the greatest attention to the truth we have heard.

1. Jesus pleads with us to come to Him and receive this salvation, Matt.11:28‑30, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. and ye shall fine rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1. Please do not neglect to obey the gospel.
2. Please do not neglect to live a faithful life.
3. There is no escape, except through Jesus