Salvation, part 2

“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2.8, 9)

Last week you heard the salvation testimony of a preacher's wife, an 18 y.o. (from 6 to 15 to 18), then the pastors grandson, age 7, playing alone when the Lord spoke to him.

Then we talked a little bit about the story of the Apostle Paul. This is where I would like to expand.

First, let's review his conversion. Looking at the pictures what's first? 

1. 

   A light shone round about him, blinding him, then a voice spoke which only he heard.
2. Remember, this man was send to “make havoc of the church.” In his possession he had letters permitting him to bring anyone naming the name of Christ to Jerusalem to put in prison or condemned to death. He was one to be feared.
3. In Acts 9.18 we read that the “scales fell from his eyes.” That is, he was quite literally stopped in his tracks by God so that the Lord could tell him what His purpose was for the apostle's life. Sometimes, the only way God can get one's attention is something so drastic there is no choice but for this one to STOP and listen!

Secondly, after his conversion and baptism he was “strengthened with meat.” v19

What does this mean? What would make you stronger and satisfied longer, a piece of candy or your favorite cut of beef?

What is the first nutrition given to a baby? Of course, milk

• When one is converted and baptized the next step is to find a bible believing church and begin to “grow.” We are told in I Pet 2.2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

• A newborn christian is the same. Meat/strong preaching will come but milk/regular church attendance is necessary to advance/grow.
• Anything (other than serious illness) that replaces regular church attendance will certainly “stunt” one's growth as a christian. One may windup a spiritual midget, which is unnatural, all because of irregular church attendance.

• The only way a newborn christian can “grow” is in a church where the preacher preaches the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. One can't learn from just any man even though we know that the Lord said His word would not “return void.” (Isa 55.11) Which means it will hit it's mark in the heart of the believer who is really listening.
• It is equally important that a baby christian be under the sound of a man of God who has been filled with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, all that is heard is a “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” (I Cor 13.1)
• When one is in this environment, one can “grow” spiritually. You SS teacher may have taught lessons on “Who Jesus Is or Biblical Behavior,” but you can't really “grow” until you've heard the same from a pulpit that is baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit. Trust me when I say, you have that at GBC.
• You will be “strengthened,” spiritually when you have these things.

Are you beginning to see that Salvation is very real?

Do you see that it is necessary to living your life the way God meant for you to live it? You cannot live your life the way God intended if you are not saved. It is of no value or purpose without the Lord Jesus.

To further emphasize the importance of Salvation, did you know that at the day of judgment you will be “without excuse?” (Rom 1.20, 2.1) God will not hear “but I went to church.” He will say, “depart, I never knew you.” (Mt 7.23)

Where is it you will go? Away from fellowship with God, believers and eternal goodness. In other words, hell or “outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.”  (Mt 8.12, 22.13, 25.30, Mk 9.44, 46, 48)

Hell is as eternal as Heaven...

When you are judged for the deeds done in the body the only real answer you may offer the Lord is that you trusted in the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to do those things you are now judged for. You will, quite justly so, be “without excuse.”

It's not my business to tell you are or are not saved. It's my business, to tell you about salvation. This is what Paul did when the “scales fell from his eyes (and he was) strengthened with meat (or the Word of the Lord)