What Jesus Said About Salvation

Today we will look at another message in a series called, “what Jesus says about. ”Last week we looked at, “What Jesus Said About Baptism.” Today by the grace of God we are going to look at, “What Jesus Said About Salvation.” Now liberals would have you and me to believe that Jesus never offended or upset anyone. They want us to conclude that He never criticized anyone's religion. That simply is not true. On a number of occasions Jesus made people mad enough to try to kill Him.

Look at our text, in these scriptures Jesus, speaking to a religious leader, tells us some very important facts about salvation. I believe that each and every one of us need to hear these words this morning. Please listen close to what Jesus had to say about being saved. Are you saved? Are you sure? You can be!

Please allow me to explain these verses. And then I want us to think this morning about three simple things that Jesus said about salvation.

I. SALVATION IS NARROW (John 14:6) (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

    1. Multitudes have been deceived by Satan

       A. Jesus did not say that we are all working to get to the same place, just

            going by different roads. He said that their is only ONE road to heaven:

             HIM!

        B. MOST people who THINK they are going to heaven, are headed for hell!

        C. Many people who attend church are lost, especially when you consider

            ALL types of churches.

    2. Multitudes have been deceived by Money (Mark 10:23-25) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

       A. Notice Jesus did not say it is impossible for those who have riches to be

            saved.

      B. Why is it so hard for the rich to be saved? (they place their faith in their

           riches)

    3. Multitudes have been deceived by Ministers (Matthew 7:15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

      A. One preacher told a bereaved daughter, "You be a GOOD girl, and you will

          get to see your mother in heaven some day!"

      B. Many preachers "Just pray this simple prayer, and God will save you."

          1. Eternal life does not come through prayer, but through FAITH

              (Eph. 2:8-9).

II. SALVATION IS NECESSARY (John 3:3)

Jesus said that to a religious leader. He had religion, but he wasn't saved. He probably was known as a good person in the community, but he wasn't saved. He probably didn't steal from anyone, but he wasn't saved. Jesus didn't say to him, "You PROBABLY should get born again." He didn't say, "It would be a good thing for you to be born again." He said, "Ye MUST be born again."

    1. Because of the sins we have committed (Romans 3:23)

        A. We have all sinned.

        B. We need to be saved because we are not a law-abiding citizens; we have

              broken the laws of God, the ten commandments. We are law breakers

    2. Because of the scrutiny of God ( (Revelation 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (II Cort. 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

    3. Because of the sentencing of God . (Revelation 20:15) And whosoever was

        not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

III. SALVATION IS A NEW BIRTH (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. The new birth is a stiff requirement

        A. Ye MUST be born again.

           1. Even if you have been baptized, ye MUST be born again.

           2. Even if you have joined the church, ye MUST be born again.

           3. Even if you have had prayers answered, ye MUST be born again.

           4. There is no getting around it!

    2. The new birth is a supernatural resurrection (Ephesians 2:1) And you hath he

        quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

        A. To be saved is to bring life from the dead. Only GOD can do that.

        B. REFORMATION without REGENERATION is not salvation .

        C. It is not turning over a new LEAF that saves; it is the receiving of a new

            LIFE.

    3. The new birth is simply received. (Rom. 10:13)

        A. It is a recognition of one's condition

        B. It is a realization of the work performed - a sacrifice for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3-4). For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

        C. It is a reception of the remedy offered - looking in faith.

CONCLUSION

Oscar Cervantes is a dramatic example of Christ's power to transform lives. As a child, Oscar began to get into trouble. Then as he got older, he was jailed 17 times for brutal crimes. Prison psychiatrists said he was beyond help. But they were wrong! During a brief interval of freedom, Oscar met an elderly man who told him about Jesus. He placed his trust in the Lord and was changed into a kind, caring man. Shortly afterward he started a prison ministry. Chaplain H. C. Warwick describes it this way: "The third Saturday night of each month is 'Oscar Night' at Soledad. Inmates come to hear Oscar and they sing gospel songs with fervor; they sit intently for over 2 hours; they come freely to the chapel altar.... What professionals had failed to do for Oscar in years of counseling, Christ did in a moment of conversion."