One of the common mistakes that we often make is assuming that people know what we are talking about. I have a bad habit of that my self. For instance when I speak of salvation, I think that those whom I am speaking to understand what salvation means. But I have come to understand, that is not always the case. I, we need to realize that everyone may not understand our terminology when we talk about the things of God.

    The word "salvation". The dictionary definition is as follows: preservation or deliverance from destruction, danger, or great calamity. A man is drowning, going down for the last time, a lifeguard dives into the water and pulls him to safety; a child is trapped inside a burning building and a fireman rushes in and rescues the child from certain death; or a man is facing bankruptcy in his business and a friend gives him enough money to prevent it from happening...all of these are examples of salvation.

    But the salvation which Christ offers to a sinner involves much more than this. It involves all that happens to a person from the time they trust Christ until the time they meet Him face to face in glory.

    Now let’s take a moment to look at, talk about, and understand Salvation. It is my hearts desire to see people saved, and for them to know that they are saved. That is my calling from God, to preach salvation to the lost and dying of this world.

I. Salvation is an Experience. (Jh. 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (II Cort. 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    1. A plain observable change

       A. Something happens between God and the sinner.

            1. They meet each other in a very real way.

       B. The person places his faith in Christ and God forgives them.

           1. This is a forgiveness that you can “feel”

           2. Like a heavy burden being lifted off your shoulders.

      C. If you have never had this experience, then you have never

           been saved.

      D. Note the Scriptures

          1. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he 

              power to become the sons of God, even to them that

             believe on his name:

        2. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:

            and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the

            wrath of God abideth on him.

       3. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he

           that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath

           not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

    2. Process of this change

       A. God takes the first step in salvation.

            1. He calls sinners, sinners do not seek God.

            2. When Adam, the first man, sinned we do not hear Adam

                 crying out to God for forgiveness. They tried to hide

                  themselves and it was God who cried out to Adam,

                  "Where art thou?" (Gen. 3:9)

             3. Notice (Luke 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek

                and to save that which was lost.

           4. We are saved when we respond to that drawing power.

      B. The Holy Spirit convicts us, shows us our lost condition, and

            then we respond to His convicting power by exercising faith in

           Christ as Savior.

          1. Faith means trusting our lives to God.

             a. We exercise faith every day of our lives.

             b. Faith is a committal of our life to Christ.

II. Salvation is an Expression. (Rom. 10:9-11) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

    1. Expression is a sign of true belief

        A. The Word of God instructs us to make a public confession of

             our faith in Christ..

       B. Some may say that this just isn't necessary.

            1. But God does not have any secret agents in His army.

            2. We ought to want to declare our faith in Christ to others.

       C. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20 & 26)

   2. Expression is a sign of true transformation

        A. Openly take a stand against sin

       B. Witness to others about Christ.

       C. Gather together for worship services.

            1. Maybe we need to be reminded of (Heb.10:25)

        D. Get involved in ministering to others in a variety of ways.

III. Salvation is an Expectation. (I Cort. 15:19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

    1. Expectation for the Past (cleansing)

        A. At salvation God gives us a clean slate. (Psa. 103:12) As far

             as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our

             transgressions from us.

      2. Expectation for the present. (Strengthening)

Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, an early missionary to India, recalls that while preaching to a group who had come to bathe in the "sacred stream" of the Ganges, a man joined them who had crawled many agonizing miles on his knees and elbows to reach that spot. The poor exhausted soul made his prayer to Gunga, and then slipped into the water but emerged with the same conviction of sin as before. The fear of death still tugged at his heart. Then he heard Chamberlain tell the wonderful story of grace and how Christ died on the cross to rescue needy sinners. With new hope the man staggered to his feet, clasped his hands together, and cried, "Oh, that's what I need! Forgiveness and peace!" The missionary soon led him to Jesus.