Basics of the Christian Faith, #1 Salvation Ephesians 2:1-10 I. INTRODUCTION-

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1 Basics of the Christian Faith, #1 Salvation Ephesians 2:1-10 I. INTRODUCTION- a. The story is told that Vince Lombardi the legendary NFL coach would open every preseason training camp the same way on the first day of camp he would hold up a football and he would say Gentlemen, this is a football. b. And, then Lombardi s teams would spend the first days of training camp focusing on the basic fundamentals of football running throwing tackling. c. Lombardi believed that success in football began with maintaining a mastery of the fundamentals of the game. d. Over the next several weeks on Sunday mornings we are going to focus on twelve basics twelve fundamentals of the Christian faith. e. The veteran players on Lombardi s teams knew what a football was they knew how to throw how to run how to tackle. f. But they soon learned that coach Lombardi was right success on the football field depended a great deal on maintaining a mastery of the fundamentals of the game. g. Veteran Christians know or at least they should know what the Bible says about the doctrines of salvation eternal security baptism prayer Scripture evangelism spiritual gifts church membership the Lord's Supper Christian service financial stewardship and Christian fellowship. h. These are fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith but no matter how long a person has been a Christian there are times when we need to be reminded of what the Bible says about these basic doctrines.

2 i. In fact, successful Christian living requires Christians to maintain a mastery of and a firm belief in...the fundamentals of our faith. j. It is also important that new Christians young Christians and those who are seeking a better understanding of the Christian faith have a clear understanding of the basic beliefs of Christianity. k. There is biblical precedent and a biblical mandate to often return to a study of the fundamentals of the Christian faith. l. The Apostle Paul gave this praise to the church at Corinth 1 Corinthians 11:2 (NKJV) Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep (maintain) the traditions just as I delivered them to you. m. The traditions Paul referred to was the teachings about Christ and the fundamental beliefs of the Christian life. n. Paul gave this encouragement to the church at Thessalonica 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. o. Today it is more important than ever that we maintain that we teach to the next generation and we unashamedly proclaim to the world the fundamentals of the Christian life. p. Our study of the fundamentals of the Christian faith begins where the Christian life begins with a study of what the Bible says about salvation. q. Ephesians 2:1-10 is one of the greatest passages in the Bible that deal with salvation today from this passage we will look at the reason for salvation the remedy of salvation and the result of salvation. II. THE REASON FOR SALVATION- a. Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course

3 of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. b. We all remember the story from some months ago of the children s soccer team and their coach in Thailand who became stuck and stranded when the entrance to the underground cave they were exploring suddenly filled up with water preventing them from getting out. c. Until those children were discovered and rescued they are completely cut off from life above ground they were surrounded by darkness they were helpless to save themselves they were completely dependent on others to rescue them. d. As the world watched and prayed those children and their leader were saved only after the extraordinary and costly effort of their rescuers including one rescuer who lost his life in the effort. e. The picture of those children in that cave helpless cut off and living in darkness is the picture Paul paints in these verses of the spiritual condition of the person without Jesus Christ. f. Spiritually the person without Jesus Christ is lost helpless cut off from God and living in spiritual darkness. g. Until a lost person understands how lost they are they can never be saved. h. Jesus once told a group of Pharisees Matthew 9:12 (NLT2) Healthy people don t need a doctor, sick people do. i. Jesus was telling them as long as you think you are okay as long as you think you don t need to be saved as long as you refuse to see and admit how lost you are I can do nothing for you.

4 j. The first step in being saved is to understand and admit that you are lost. k. In these verses Jesus tells us how lost a person without Christ is. l. #1, The person without Christ is spiritually dead dead in Ephesians 2:1 means dead toward God. m. 1 Timothy 5:6 says that the person without Christ may be alive physically but they are dead spiritually. n. The person without Christ may try to be religious they may act religious but they have no relationship with God they have no standing with God they have no connection with God. o. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:18 that those who are without Christ are alienated separated from the life of God. p. Their prayers are useless and their religion if they have any is worthless and of no value. q. The person without Christ is spiritually dead because their trespasses and sins have not been forgiven. r. The word trespass literally means to cross the line we trespass against God when we cross the line and disobey His laws and commands of God that are found in His Word. s. The laws and commands of God are good they reflect the nature and character God God has given His laws for our protection and our good. t. The word sin means to miss the mark when we choose to ignore and disobey the standard of God s law and His Word we have missed the mark that He has set for our behavior and conduct. u. Spiritual death and separation from God is the result of our trespasses and sins the person without Christ is spiritually dead.

5 v. #2, The person without Christ is deceived they are blind to the truth of their true spiritual condition. w. The person without Christ may think they don t need God they may think that they are as free as a bird but in reality, they are in spiritual bondage to Satan and sin. x. #3, The person without Christ is disobedient those who refuse to repent of their sin and receive Christ as their Savior and Lord have joined Satan s rebellion against God they are rebels against the God of the universe. y. #4, The person without Christ is defiled the person without Christ is covered with the stench and filth of their sin even the good a lost person may do is defiled by their lostness and rebellion against God. z. Al Capone gave Christmas gifts to poor children that still did not change the fact that he was a murdering thug and a criminal. aa. Lost people can do good things but that does not change the fact that because they have rejected Christ they are lost and sinful rebels against God. bb.#5, The person without Christ is doomed those without Christ are doomed they are the children of wrath they are facing an eternity separated from God. cc. The person without Christ is dead, deceived, disobedient, defiled, and doomed. dd.today if you are without a true faith and trust in Jesus Christ that is your spiritual condition. ee. A person can debate and disagree with this all they want too but that will not change the truth.

6 ff. One day after hearing Jesus preach a group of people asked Him Luke 18:26-27 (NKJV) Who then can be saved? But He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. gg.as it was impossible for those kids who were stuck in that cave to save themselves it is just as impossible for those without Christ to save themselves. hh.for any of us the only hope we have of being saved is God only God can save those who are lost. ii. The two most beautiful words in the Bible are found in Ephesians 2:4 But God. III. jj. Without Christ we are hopelessly lost but God came to our rescue God made a way that we could be saved and that way cost the life of His dear Son who willingly sacrificed Himself for us. (The Reason for Salvation) THE REMEDY OF SALVATION- a. There are times in the life of every person without Christ when God in a particular and personal way will penetrate their heart and mind and open their eyes to the truth and the reality of their lost condition. b. Those times can happen in church they can happen at home they can happen a hospital room they can happen anywhere. c. The Apostle Paul gave a description of this in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. You see, we don t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who said, Let there be light in the darkness, has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 d. This happened to the Prodigal Son in the pigpen when Jesus said that he came to himself. e. This happened to Zacchaeus when Jesus called him out of the tree. f. This happened to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus this happened to a man named Felix in the New Testament when the Bible says that he trembled with conviction as Paul preached the gospel to him. g. This happened to me one Sunday morning many years ago at Sycamore Baptist Church. h. I was lost dead deceived disobedient defiled and doomed. i. But then God did the impossible by His grace and mercy He opened the eyes of this blind, lost and spiritually dead man so that I could see my lostness and my desperate need of Christ. j. When this happens a person has to make a decision they will either repent of their sins and their lostness and give their life to Christ by receiving Him as their Savior and Lord or they turn their back on God they will hold on to their sin and reject Christ and the grace of God. k. That is what King Agrippa did when he told Paul in Acts 26:28 (KJV) Almost you persuade me to be a Christian. l. One night many years ago a man by the name of Philip Bliss heard a preacher conclude his sermon on that verse by saying He who is almost persuaded is almost saved but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost. m. God used that statement to inspire Bliss to later write the hymn Almost Persuaded the hymn by the way that was being sung when Billy Graham gave his life to Christ.

8 n. When in that moment of conviction a person turns from their sin and believes in Christ God does for them what they cannot do for themselves. o. When a person turns to Christ God does something in their life just as dramatic as Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. p. By His rich mercy by His great love by His marvelous grace He powerfully intervenes in their life and He saves them He rescues them from their lostness. q. No longer are they dead deceived disobedient defiled and doomed. r. Now they are spiritually alive raised from spiritual death redeemed cleansed of their sin made right with God made His child accepted by Him forever forgiven of their sin. and given a home in Heaven. s. There is nothing any of us can do to save ourselves from our lost condition. IV. t. But God because of what Jesus Christ did at the cross for us and because of the victory of His resurrection can save us and He will freely save all those who put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The reason for salvation The remedy of salvation. THE RESULT OF SALVATION- a. What does God get when He saves us?... He gets the joy of saving us God desires that no one be lost forever God desires that all repent and come to Christ. b. The Bible says there is joy in Heaven when one comes to Christ and is saved.

9 c. The Bible says Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus endured the cross knowing that because of what He did there He would have the joy of seeing lost people like you and me saved. d. When the prodigal son came home the father in that parable who represents God came running to meet him receive him and forgive Him. e. God delights to save the lost He longs to save the lost He wants to save the lost and He will save you if you repent of your sins and come to Him through Christ. f. I see parents all the time proudly posting pictures of their children bragging on them and their accomplishments. g. For all eternity God will point at us and brag on us as trophies of His grace. h. What do we get out of it when we are saved?... in this world we get a life connected with God a life of meaning and purpose the life God has planned for us a life of true good works that bring honor and glory to God. i. And in the next world we get a home in Heaven and we get every good thing God has promised to His children. j. Not because we have earned it or deserved it but all by the grace and mercy of God. k. The Apostle Paul is right whatever we may give up or lose in this world to follow Christ is nothing compared to what we gain. V. CONCLUSION- a. Have you been saved?... don t be almost persuaded don t turn away from Christ.

10 b. Almost persuaded, come, come today; Almost persuaded, turn not away; Jesus invites you here, Angels are ling ring near, Prayers rise from hearts so dear, O wand rer, come. c. Almost persuaded, harvest is past! Almost persuaded, doom comes at last! Almost cannot avail; Almost is but to fail! Sad, sad, that bitter wail, Almost, but lost.