3-08-98......... What is Salvation?........ Psalms 27, Is.12
by Ronald E. George Jr.
Part 2 of the sermon series: "The Truth about Salvation."
The story is told of a family that moved into a new community. They were promptly visited by two elders and the pastor of a nearby church who cordially invited them to attend the services on the Lord's Day. The man assured them that he would come just as soon as he got straightened out. Several months passed, and he still hadn't put in an appearance, so the minister called again and repeated his invitation. But he received the same reply. The fellow hadn't yet gotten everything straightened out, but he'd be there just as soon as he did. A few weeks later he died, and his widow asked to have the funeral services in the church. The preacher graciously agreed. It was indeed a sad affair. Later when a member of the congregation asked the pastor if the man was a Christian, he answered, "He never attended services here, and no one can recall ever hearing him give a testimony of his faith in Christ, so I can't say. I only know he was a man of his word. He promised to come to church just as soon as he got straightened out -- and he did!"
What is salvation? What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what? Salvation is God’s greatest Jewell to humankind. It is like a diamond with many facets. This morning we will look at just three of those facets. These aren’t steps or phases but these are just three ways of looking at this gift from called that He has chosen to call "Salvation".
Scripture Text: Ps. 27:1-6,
Psal 27:1 (KJS) [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. {came...: Heb. approached against me} 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident. 4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. {the beauty: or, the delight} 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Is. 12:1-6
Isai 12:1 (KJS) And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2 Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this [is] known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Key Verses: Is. 12:2 Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.
Ps. 27:1 The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
What is Salvation?
Salvation is God and God is Salvation. If you know salvation then you know God and if you don’t know God then… He is our Jewell of Life!
1. Salvation is a way of living By God. The Turn or Burn facet…
Salvation is a past experience. There is no other way of Salvation without knowing God. If we choose to not believe God and his way for our lives then we have chosen to burn in a place that God has created for the devil and his angels. This facet of our Salvation shows that
Two friends went for a boat ride. The boat upset. The river was swift and deep. The man to whom the boat belonged had taken two life jackets along. He said "I put one on, but my friend laid his down beside him. When we were thrown into the river, my life jacket soon brought me to the top, but my friend never came up again." Christ's death, like the life jacket, will not save you unless, by faith in Him, you put it on.
Don't get the idea that Jesus died to save you from hell. He didn't die to save you from hell, He died to save you from sin. Being saved from hell is simply the result of being saved from sin. -- Adrian Rogers,
2. Salvation is a way of Living through God. The Dead or Alive Facet.
Salvation is a present reality. Salvation is a way of knowing God in a personal experience and on a Daily Basis! He is my strength and my Song. Have you ever had to draw water out of a well for your daily water? How often should we draw water out of the wells of our salvation? Have dwelt in the House of the Lord? Have we seen the beauty of Who He is? Through the gift of the Holy Spirit we can know Him every day of our lives. This is our Salvation. Come and enquire in His temple of Him.
a. God is my "Life." We have our being in Him. We are dead to ourselves and alive unto God. God is our present reality. He is real to us. Is He real to you?
3. Salvation is a way of Living for God. The Lost or Found Facet…
Salvation is our Future Guide. I once was lost in Sin but Jesus took me in. Just a little talk with Jesus is the beginning of a life lived for God. Have you ever been in the Dark? Then you know what it is like to truly be lost. Living in the light we have been given the way to true life living for the Lord.
2Cor 6:2 (KJS) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)
Have you trusted the Lord to be your Past , Present , and Future Salvation?