Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8
Introduction
- As Peter boldly proclaimed before the Sanhedrin:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
- This I say to you: there is no salvation, for all eternity, apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ crucified!
- That is the bottom line. There is no hiding from it. It is the greatest truth we will ever know.
- But I ask you this: what does it mean to be saved? Eternal life in heaven, not accountable for our sins
- And if this is what it means to be saved, when does salvation come? After life
- I believe that salvation comes today, in the now, right away.
- I don’t believe it is a carrot dangling out there for when we die – we need it NOW!
- This world is a terrible place full of traps and snares set by the enemy to destroy us.
- I don’t need salvation in heaven; I need salvation here and now, before it’s too late.
- We believe that: when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are saved.
- I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t always act like I’ve been saved.
- I let the world pull me here and there and drive my priorities sometimes. Do you?
- Sometimes I stop and think how much I’m in the world and I feel bad.
- So, what are you going to do about it Ken? How about all of you?
- What are you waiting for? What am I waiting for?
- Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
- What kind of life will you choose:
- Life in the flesh … or
- Life in Jesus
1. Life in the flesh
- It feels good to live life in the flesh. Anybody agree with that statement?
- The enemy knows just the right buttons to push for you – customized for your pleasure.
- It’s ok to take that drug; it won’t hurt you, lots of people do it. Who’s it going to hurt?
- It’s ok to watch that adult video, lots of people do it. Who’s it going to hurt?
- Have another drink and don’t worry about driving home. Who’s it going to hurt?
- Who needs sunscreen, I don’t like that stuff and what’s a little sunburn? Who’s it going to hurt?
- I’ve had a rough day; I deserve those extra donuts and pizza and ice cream. Who’s it going to hurt?
- Who’s any of this going to hurt if it feels good? YOU!! It’s going to hurt YOU and
- That’s the point! Don’t believe me, got to the Bible for the truth. Paul said:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
- I don’t make this stuff up; I’m no conspiracy-theorist; read your Bible; it’s right there.
- There is an active plot to figure out what drives you to destruction and spoon feed it to you until you are ruined. And there is a team working hard to help you.
- Paul freely admits “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.”
- We’ve all been there or are still there or clawing our way out of there as the case may be.
- But for the saved, there is hope, there is a life-preserver floating right there within reach.
- As Paul said: “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”
- Are you hearing that part about “even when we were dead in transgressions?”
- Not tomorrow, not next week, not in10 years but NOW while we are buried in sin.
- As Paul tells Titus: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.”
- Remember Titus is a brand-new, young pastor in the ministry (like Timothy) and Paul is coaching him by being honest and open with what we all face, and gives this great hope:
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
- It comes down to a choice of how to live life abundantly: do we live in the flesh? Or do we live in Jesus?
- I can’t speak for you, but I often find myself in the middle; on the fence; not committing.
- Jesus is waiting patiently with an outstretched hand; waiting for us to commit.
2. Life in Jesus
- What is a life in Jesus? What does it mean to choose Jesus?
- We are dead in our transgressions and sins. We are ALIVE in Jesus Christ!!
- Paul said: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
- Paul wasn’t talking about the future; Paul was speaking in the PRESENT
- And if God has raised us up, we have no business hanging onto things that we think give us pleasure when they are really killing us.
- NO, they’re not hurting us in the afterlife, they are hurting us in THIS
- We are saved for all eternity through our faith in Jesus Christ.
- It’s THIS life that we are being robbed from enjoying to the fullest as Christ desires.
- What does this abundant life in Christ look like? Paul tells us in verse 7:
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
- Let me put this in more practical terms. Picture in your mind our Biltmore missions.
- We frequently characterize the great things God is doing at Biltmore because we are obedient to His will – right?
- Now think about “the incomparable riches of his grace” that we regularly observe here.
- I am in awe and amazed by the miracles that God is doing here in our midst.
- Now keep that same picture of Biltmore in your mind and apply it to YOUR LIFE.
- NO, I’m not preaching a Creflo Dollar prosperity gospel here – well not exactly.
- Yes, there will be prosperity, but not how the world defines prosperity.
- The prosperity that we have as a church and the prosperity YOU will also have, is the joy that comes from serving the Lord that you can’t get anywhere else.
- It’s an endorphin rush better than any anti-depressant or any physical stimulus.
- It fills a need that no worldly vice or pleasure can come close to satisfying.
- We each have a Jesus-shaped hole in our soul that nothing else can fill.
- But we keep trying the other stuff that the enemy suggests, and rob ourselves of real joy.
- Paul’s advice to Titus in verse 8 really sums up choosing life in Jesus:
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
- When life has got you down and the road ahead looks bleak and difficult, remember the words to the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel:
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free.Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.