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Continued from the previous week.
Matthew 11:25-30
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Almost every part of our life is governed by processes, or routines that help us reach goals in our life. Some of them are so commonplace that we give them no, or at least very little thought. Our daily routines, and many of our processes span the gamut from being easy to accomplish in a short time to being very difficult to accomplish and requiring much time. It is perhaps because of this step-by-step mentality and way of life that so many people, including true Christians, have trouble growing in grace. People often miss the truth that God periodically asks and expects us to do more than one thing at a time. One might say God is the original inventor of multitasking!
Today we are going to focus our discussion on the importance of that sincere commitment to forsake our sin and walk in obedience to Christ. I believe that it is at this point right here where people most often falter, most often miss the point, and most often fail to understand the very essence, the very heartbeat of salvation. One of the most serious doctrinal errors that has ever plagued of the church is teaching that people get saved so they go to heaven. Or conversely people get saved so they don’t go to hell! Beloved, you must learn and know the reason for and the goal of salvation as well and as readily as you know that our God is a Triune God, The Great Three in One, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all One yet three distinct, separate Persons! …or as well as you know and believe the Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God. The real reason a person is saved is because they come to the point where they understand their sin and sinfulness is an eternal offense to God, and can only be taken away by placing their faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read Eph. 1:3-10: our redemption comes as a result of our unquestioning faith in the finished work of Christ. Neither is the goal of salvation heaven, the goal of salvation is Christ likeness as we read in Rom. 8:29.
If you study the teachings of the OT writers, Christ, and the Apostles you will readily see true Biblical salvation demands a radical and immediate change in both life and lifestyle where Jesus is the unchallenged and sovereign Lord. There are several ways to find the true answer to that question. One way is to stand in front of the mirror, look the person in front of you straight in the eyes, and then listen to the answer from your conscience. That answer will be the true answer because your conscience never lies. Another way is the testimony of other people. Another indicator is a sincere desire in your heart to see others come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The hardest part of turning from a life of sin to a life in obedience to Christ is getting over yourself! The only way that this will work as if you stop trusting in yourself and what you think you can do to impress God – and start trusting in the finished work of Christ because He has already done everything that needs to be done and has obtained for you everything you need to be accepted by God. Is that transference of trust hard? Yes, it’s probably the hardest thing you’ll ever do in your whole life! Is it worth it? Absolutely – the decision brings with it immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
