Biblical Salvation - 9/22

We are a little behind on these posts. This one is for the sermon delivered on 9/22/24.

In this message, Pastor Shane gives clear guidance on what Paul writes concerning biblical salvation in Romans 10- not good works, baptism, or church membership, but grace through faith in the acceptance of Jesus as Lord. Click here for the recording of this 9/22 Service, and you can fast-forward to 30:01 to get to the start of the sermon.

Our text comes from Romans Chapter 10.9-13

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “ Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “ Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Introduction…

• There is a battle being fought in evangelical churches today, every bit as real as Ukraine or the Middle East

• It is a battle for biblical truth, impacting the biblical behavior of those who would claim to be biblical Christians

• I feel it every Sunday in this pulpit

• I see it during the week, in dealings with parishioners and those studying for the ministry

• I tell my students- “this is a war college, and I’m preparing you for battle”

• Seven in ten Americans (70%) identify as Christian (PPRI 2020 census of American religion)

• From my vantage point, I find this impossible to believe

• Firstly, we define Christianity via the Bible, not culture

• The term “evangelical” is a biblical term meaning, good news (euangelista)

• Media has made is a political term, along with moral majority, Christian right, Christian nationalism, etc.

• Biblical Christians much not allow culture to define us

Barna on born again Christians

1. People who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today

2. and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior

3. their faith is very important in their life today;

4. believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians;

5. believing that Satan exists;

6. believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; (https://www.barna.com/research/survey-explores-who-qualifies-as-an-evangelical/)

7. believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth;

8. asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches;

9. and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.

• 38% of the population will identify as evangelical

• Only 1 in 5 (19%) actually meet the above criteria

• The reason for this disparity is a lack of discipleship; either people refusing to be discipled, or churches unwilling/unable to biblically disciple people

• It begins and ends with salvation defined by the Bible

Backdrop of the text

• Backdrop of the text

• Paul is writing to the Church in Rome

• They are likely worshipping in house churches, all over the city

• They are under pagan Roman Rule

• Their citizenship is in Heaven, and their location is in Rome

• Paul writes this letter to disciple them in their walk with Christ

• He also wanted them to be unified- “Satan does not fear a large church; he fears a united church” Dobbins

To the text…

• V9- if you confess (homologeo- the self word; to self profess) Jesus as Lord (kurios- lord and master; the One who has the highest status in your life) and believe in your heart in the bodily resurrection of Jesus you will be saved (sozo- to be restored to health)

• V10- a person believes (pisteuo- to put one’s faith/trust in) with their heart (kardia- the seat of the inner self); this leads to righteousness

• (dikaiosunē- being in proper relationship with God); confessing with one’s mouth leads to salvation (soteria- preservation, rescue, deliverance)

• V11- belief will NOT lead to dishonor, shame or humiliation, because

• V12- there is no favoritism of one people group over another; He is Lord of all, wanting to richly bless all who call on Him

• V13- whoever calls on Jesus will be saved

Marks of a biblical Christian, after conversion- discipleship

• A regular commitment to prayer

• A regular commitment to the reading of Scripture

• A regular commitment to corporate worship in a church that disciples people via the Word

• Sharing what Jesus has done for you with others

• Living a life of holiness as defined by Scripture

• Espousing biblical truth

• The practice of spiritual disciplines (see Richard Foster- The Celebration of Disciplines)

Practical application

• Biblical salvation begins and ends as defined by Scripture, and nothing else

• Jesus calls those in relationship with him to model and bear fruit, Mt 7.15-20

• There is no substitute for the “big 3”- Scripture, prayer, corporate worship

• Many evangelical leaders believe the greatest need for biblical salvation is INSIDE the American Church

• Are you a biblical Christian, having followed the instructions of Romans 10?

References

(barna.com/research/survey-explores-who-qualifies-as-an-evangelical/)

(PPRI 2020 census of American religion)

Stepbible.org