GRACE EVANGELISTIC MINISTRIES

God is one who sees mankind in his lost state and initiates a rescue.  The rescuer is in His Son, Jesus Christ.  As we journey through this lesson it is my hope that you gain valuable insight into the work of salvation procured for mankind by the blood that Jesus shed for us, laying down His life, so that you and I would be set free from danger. This is the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

If you are new to the body of Christ, you can expect to receive a clear understanding of basic concepts surrounding salvation.  For the one who has walked this road for many years, may this lesson serve as a refresher and re-ignite your faith and commitment to the Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

 Many first responders put their lives on the line daily to rescue those in danger, and many have lost their lives in the process.  One of the most memorable, September 11, 2001.  Four-hundred and eleven and emergency workers died while trying to save others.  The price of salvation is costly; not many people would give their lives for another.  Just as these four-hundred and eleven brave emergency workers gave their lives for others, Jesus gave His life for all of mankind forever providing a way of rescue, redemption, and salvation to lost and dying souls.

THE WAY OF SALVATION

Salvation is the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk loss, or destruction.  It is also the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, or danger. When it comes to Jesus Christ, He is our Salvation; the source, cause, or means salvation for those who would believe in His Name. 

Theologically speaking Jesus is our deliverance, the one who has rescued us from the danger, power, and penalty of sin. Just say that you were walking through the woods and you saw someone who had fallen down a ravine and unable to climb up. Would you leave the person in the ravine or try to rescue them? I would hope that you would try with all your power to rescue that person in an effort to get them out of harm’s way. 

Sometimes people are unaware that they are in a dangerous situation.  They may have strayed into unknown surrounding, following after something that intrigued and captured their attention.  Often they only realize that they are lost when the darkness begins to roll in.

Mankind is in the same predicament; he is in a ravine unable to climb out of the calamities of life, or he is totally unaware that he is lost and in need of a rescue.

SALVATION

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

     John 3:16

What is salvation?

Definition

To Rescue
To Set free
To Save
To Heal
To Deliver

 


V Gift of God

The Bible gives us several references regarding this wonderful gift of salvation.  It is a gift that was initiated by God, and provided to all of mankind free of charge.  In my conferences when teaching on the gifts and promised given to believers by God, I will often hold up a gift of some sort in my delivery, stating that, “whoever is the first to come down the aisle to can receive this gift.”  Many times people are hesitate and wonder what the catch is, but there is always that one person who expresses faith in what was stated regarding the gift, that it is FREE! No catch, no getting down front and then having to address the group, FREE means FREE.  In making the point, when the one person who accepted what is said on faith alone arrives back at the seat with the prize, then others want another opportunity to get a prize.  Unfortunately, in the conference environment, the prize is used to drive home a point and whoever catches the vision gets the gold.

The gift of salvation is similar to this exercise, the difference is that this gift keeps on giving and is available to any and every one whenever they choose to exercise their faith and accept the gift of Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 tells us that, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (NASB).

God reveals to us that from the beginning of creation His “invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Ro. 1:20).  In other words, when we look around and witness the beauty of nature, the stars, oceans, and all of creation, they are a witness to God’s magnificent Glory!  The fact is, we all fall short of God’s expectation and plan for mankind, but God demonstrated or proved His love for us by sending Jesus.

Newton’s third law states that for every “action there is an equal reaction and opposite reaction.”  The action in question is the sin of mankind.  Mankind is born in sin.  Just as a baby gets it genetic makeup from its parents; mankind its spiritual nature comes from the first man, Adam.  In a single act of disobedience sin entered the nature of man and the glorious fellowship with God was broken.  God’s intention for man was for harmonious living with Him in Paradise, He walked and talked with man in the garden.  However, by use of trickery, deception, and a play on words, Satan was able to deceive mankind into giving up his peaceful fellowship God, and what was connected existence with God was severed by an act of selfish desire.  Man was removed from the garden.  He found that his place of harmony was transformed into the chaotic world of sin that exists from then until now.  But, there is Good News!  Although all men are born with a sinful rebellious nature, and all men deserve death, the free gift of Jesus Christ was given to mankind as payment to cancel out the sin debt, restoring mankind to peaceful, harmonious relationship with God.

It is the FREE gift of Jesus Christ that restores man to the right relationship with God, redeeming man by paying the require cost for restoration.  If you had an old chair that you treasured, but after so many years of it giving you comfort it became worn and torn through time, what would you do?  You could throw it out and buy a new chair, or you could have it restored.  The restoration option requires that you put faith in the restorer; once completed, you would be responsible for redeeming your chair.  Because of the value the old chair has to you, you take it to the restorer leaving it in the hands of the master.  Due to life’s unfortunate events you are unable to redeem your valued old chair.  Discouraged, you go and explain to the restorer your situation and in sadness walk away.  The chair is placed in the window for sale; and as fate would have it, a sold sign is placed on the chair.  With a broken heart you inquire as to who purchased the chair.  The master restorer reveals that the chair is yours; the price was PAID IN FULL.  He goes on to explain that during your last visit a stranger was in the shop and overheard your dilemma and he decided to pay the price for the chair under one condition, that it be restored to the original owner.

That is what Jesus did for you and me, He paid the price for our salvation, when we were unable to pay the required cost of redemption.  Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and 6:23 states, “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Jesus Christ died that you and I might be restored to the Father, by paying the price required for sin, death!  It is this gift that God offers all of mankind.  Each person must decide to receive the gift for him or herself.  No one can pick it up for you.  It’s personal, and uniquely designed just for you.  God has drawn you to this lesson for a reason, and in His hand is the gift wrapped in His glory just for you, Jesus Christ.  Your job is to receive the gift.

How do you receive the wonderful gift of salvation? The Bible says, “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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom 10:9-10).  Once you confess Jesus Christ with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you are saved!  God promised that, “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED" (Rom 10:13).

What are you waiting for?  Salvation is FREE.  The benefit, you get to enjoy the blessings and promises only available to those who have received the gift of salvation.  Receiving the gift is simple, just pray this prayer:

      “God, I am a sinner, unable to save myself.  According to your Word, I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and I believe in my heart that You have raised Him from the dead.  I am sorry for my sins and receive Jesus as my Savior today. Amen!”

 

Salvation is not a result of our actions, but a result of what God did through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  No one can take credit for being saved, God wanted man back in fellowship with Him and Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, decided that He would pay the price to redeem mankind, restoring man to a right relationship with God.

 

 Scripture references:

£  John 3:16

£  Romans 3:23

£  Romans 6:23

£  Romans 5:8

£  Romans 10:9-10;13

£  Ephesians 2:8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations!  Now that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, sign your name below and date it.  Keep this lesson in your records.

 

 

  


Name                                   Date


 

ADDITIONAL STUDY TOOLS

 

V Only comes through Christ

$ Scripture references:

£  Luke 19:10

£  Acts 4:12

£  1 John 5:11

What must we do?

V Repent

£  to change one's mind, i.e. to repent,

£  to change  one's mind for better To heal

£  heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's  past sins

$ Scripture references:

£  Matthew 3:2, 4:17

V Believe

$ Scripture references:

£  Romans 10:9-10, 13

£  John 1:7

£  1 John 5:13

What does God do?

V Forgives

$ Scripture references:

£  1John 1:9

£  Ephesians 1:7

V Justifies

$ Scripture references:

£  Romans 3:10, 23-24, 4:25, 5:18

V Redeems

£  To buy back

£  To Purchase

£  To Redeem

£  Release on receipt of ransom

£  Liberate by payment of ransom

£  To cause to be released to one’s self by payment of a ransom

£  To deliver from evils of every kind, internal and external

$ Scripture references:

£  Mark 10:45

£  1Peter 1:17-19

V Reconciles

£  To change, exchange, as coins for others of  equivalent value

£  To reconcile (those who are at variance)

£  To return to favor with, be reconciled to one

£  To receive one into favor

$ Scripture references:

£  Romans 5:10

£  2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Assurance of Eternal Security

V Past, Present, Future

$ Scripture references:

£  Matthew 3:2, 4:17

V Believe

$ Scripture references:

£  Romans 10:9-10, 13

£  John 1:7