Managing Our Priorities

MATTHEW 25:14-30

SUBJECT: STEWARDSHIP OF TIME

THEME: Biblical Stewardship Is the Key to Overcoming Financial Indebtedness and Bondage.  As Christians we are to faithfully, wisely, and diligently manage our Lord’s affairs, privileges, opportunities, and the property he has placed in our managerial care. Today we will learn about where our priorities should be concerning the stewardship of our time.

INTRODUCTION:

Today we want to look at one more extremely important area of Stewardship: Time. We look to Matt. 25 and the Parable of the Talents to identify this and others areas of Stewardship.

Matthew 25:14-15 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ¹⁵And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Matt 25:19, After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

The lord in this parable along with these large sums of money also gave them time or opportunity to manage the money.  This indicated by the phrase in verse 19, “After a long time” which indicates the period that our Lord is away in Heaven and He has left us in charge of His assets.  One of the things He has left for us to manage is TIME.

LESSON:

I.  THE MANDATE TO REDEEM THE TIME

Ephes. 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

This precious verse teaches us to be disciplined time managers as Christians.  We must buy up every opportunity to execute the will of the Lord.

        A. TIME IS NOT THE PROBLEM; WE ALL HAVE AN EQUAL MEASURE OF IT!

"I don't have enough time" is the constant complaint of our average church member today.  Even myself, as I walk into the pulpit, I think “If I had a little more time, I would have put together a dynamite sermon.”  With some of us, as we come home from a meeting, a long work day, an exercise, a deployment, only to find the children are already in bed, we say, "I wish I had more time for my family." As we notice the thickness developing around the waist area, we wish for time to exercise.  As we sense a distancing in our relationship with our spouse, we say to ourselves, “I'm going to have to spend more time building this relationship.” Time! Why is this such a problem for the pastor, and everyone else here today? (Source Unknown)

                1.  Is the Time Crunch Really Felt by All of Us? Of course. Everyone has discretionary time to use (Unstructured Schedule), and everyone has interruptions (Unpredictable Schedule), and everyone has too much to do in the amount of time they have (Unrelenting Schedule).  Most people have to deal with these problems.

               2.  So What Can Be Done? Does Time Have to Be the Believer's Enemy? Does time have to be a destructive force in the Christian's home? Or can it become a friend? No simple solutions will suffice. The following suggestions, however, will pave the way to a more effective use of time.  We must first, however, understand where our Time Priorities should be.

       B.  A FAILURE TO REDEEM THE TIME IS THE PROBLEM!

Ephes. 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

             1.  Redeem Means to Buy Back or Buy up the Opportunities Afforded Us Through Wise Planning and Time Management.  Life is short, but we can make a meaningful impact on this world with the proper use of our time.  And since life is short take advantage of every second of life to maintain balance in your life and to address the priorities that God has established for you.

Time that is not managed is time that is wasted or spent for you by someone else.

           2.   Broken Promises Could Be Indicative of a Time Management Problem. 

If you find yourself always breaking promises to your children or your spouse or even if you struggle with being at work on time, then it could be an indication that you are not properly managing your time.  This could mean that you are not taking advantage of your opportunities to maintain time balance in your life.

Discipline yourself to manage your time. Structure your day as much as possible and weigh carefully the magnitude of the unpredictable “crises” that often come and demand your attention.  Again, we must first understand where our Time Priorities should be.

II.   THE GOOD STEWARD’S TIME PRIORITIES

Time is a commodity God gives equally to every man - yet the use (stewardship) of it varies greatly. Time is to be used wisely.

       A.  WE NEED TO SPEND QUIET TIME WITH OUR LORD

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Philip. 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Chapman's Rule Of Life

Dr. Wilbur Chapman had this which he called “My rule for Christian living”:

The rule that governs my life is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, Or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.”  This simple rule may help you find a safe road for your feet along life's road.

                  1.  Learn to Talk to God (Prayer)

                  2.  Learn to Listen to God (Devotional Bible Study)

                  3.  Learn to Tell Others About God (Witnessing)

       B.  WE NEED TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH OUR SPOUSE

             1.  Quality Time Involves Cleaving and Dwelling Together

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  (Spiritually, Intellectually, Physically, Philosophically (Common Goals).)

            2.  Quality Time Involves Cooperation With Each Other

Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a virtuous (Strong in all Moral Qualities) woman? for her price is far above rubies. ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil (Honest and Private Gain) (She Cooperate with him and is profitable to her husband). ¹²She will do him good and not evil (mischief) all the days of her life.

Proverbs 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling (Contentious or Fusing) woman and in a wide house.

               3.  Quality Time Involves Mutual Respect and Loving Consideration.

1 Cor. 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence (Consideration/ Affection): and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

       C.  WE NEED TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN.

              1.  Time Spent in the Word as a Family.

Psalm 78:3-6 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. ⁴We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. ⁵For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: ⁶That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

               2.  Time Spent in Leading The Homes in Spiritual Matters. (Fathers not Mothers)

Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

                3.  Time Spent Training the Children for Real Life.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

       D.  WE NEED TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH OUR CHURCH

Have You Ever paid close attention to the “One Anothers” in scriptures?  They wonderfully instruct us concerning the Christian and his Fellowship/Relationship with his church family.

               1.  Realize That Together We Are One Body

Ephes. 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

              2.  Realize Your Time and Fellowship Responsibilities as a Member of This Body

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ephes. 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephes. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephes. 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Col. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

       E.  WE NEED TO GIVE A HONEST DAYS WORK AT THE JOB/OFFICE

Ephes. 6:5-9 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ⁹And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

CONCLUSION:                       TOO BUSY? STOP A MINUTE

"No time to read, no time to pray,

No time to serve the Lord today,

No time to teach in Sunday School,

No time - for life is very full.

No time to give a gospel tract,

No time to do a kindly act,

No time to seek as Jesus sought,

No time - for life is very short.

No time to call upon a friend,

No time, e'en though he's near the end,

No time to share another's care,

No time - for life is such a tear.

No time? How much is spent on self?

How much time on gaining worldly wealth?

How much on seeking place and ease?

Do you have time for only these?"

"Only one life, twill soon be Past, Only what's done for Christ will last."

As Christians we are to faithfully, wisely, and diligently manage our Lord’s affairs and property. Have I been faithful in managing the TIME my Lord has given to me?

If we are not careful, we could view God as being to harsh, and requiring too much from us.

If we are not careful, we will use excuses for not using our abilities and gifts to serve God.

If we are not careful, we will fail to place God’s Tithe where it belongs.

If we are not careful we could fail to manage our time and neglect a Prayer Time, Bible Study, Church Worship, and Time with the Family.

If Jesus called on us today to give account of our stewardship for him would he find us faithful, responsible, and diligent?

Or would our Lord find us negligent, and unfaithful?

Will you determine today to be faithful to every worship service?

Will you ask the lord to direct you in how he wants to use your time in your church?

Real Evidence of Salvation

1THESS. 1:3-4

Theme: The Church of the Thessalonians is a positive example because the members gave evidence of real spiritual life and salvation. As such they provide us with a wonderful model to follow.

Introduction:  

1Thes 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Why did Paul claim he knew their “election of God”? How could he confidently state he ‘knew’ someone else is actually saved? Today we commonly hear believers say, “I cannot see another person’s heart…if they profess to be saved then I am inclined to believe them.” Others have said it differently, “The only person I know for certain is saved is me.”  In contrast, Paul knew that these Thessalonians were saved! What did he know that we have perhaps overlooked?

The simple answer is Paul saw how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ had impacted their daily lives! A changed life is still a powerful argument for the reality of salvation. Just take a look at 1 Thessalonians 1:9, where Paul testifies to how significantly different their lives were in Christ saying, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thes 1:9). 

Literally, they were not who they use to be, and they did not live the way they once did! You see, the person who claims to be one of God’s people, but whose life has not changed, is only fooling himself. Beloved, God changes every person He chooses! Paul could see the difference Jesus makes in a life. Now, I must hasten to say, that all of this does not suggest believers are perfect or sinless, but this truth asserts that God’s life in real believers will show up! In great darkness, light will be more than evident, and in corrupt cultures, integrity is certain to stand out.

So what specifically did Paul witness in the lives of these believers at Thessalonica? Actually, faith, hope, and love are the three prime qualities of the Christian life; they are real evidences of salvation. Evidence is “the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.” Consider then how these three characteristics stood out among these believers.

Message:

Paul Remembers Their Work of Faith (Vs. 3)

Yes, an important evidence of real salvation is faith in action and service to Christ Jesus.

A. Their Conversion Was By Faith (Acts 17:1-4; 2Thess 2:13-14; Jn. 6:28, 29).

          1. “In this sense, faith is an act or deed. But it is not toil by which a man earns merit or in which he can boast. In fact, it is the only work that man can perform without robbing Christ of His glory as Savior and without denying his own status as a helpless sinner. Faith is a non-meritorious work by which the creature acknowledges his Creator and the sinner acknowledges his Savior.” –MacDonald, William

           2.    1Thess 1:9, mentions that they had turned to the true God from idols.

a.      Faith in Christ had produced true repentance.

b.      “Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in walking with God in the way of his commandments.” –Easton, M.G.: Easton's Bible Dictionary

c.      If the Thessalonians had continued to worship their dead idols while professing faith in the living God, it would have been proof positive that they were not among God’s people.

B.  They Also Lived and Worked By Faith.

         1.      They were performing important works produced by faith in Christ.

a.      Faith must always lead to works of service (James 2:14–26).

b.      It has been said, “We are not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works.”

c.      Though believers are saved through faith alone (Eph 2:9) that faith should produce good works in each of us. We work not to be saved but because we are saved.

         2.     The work is through our churches and for the kingdom of God. The character of that work will be different for every believer, but the motivation (faith) and the desire (to bring more people to saving faith) are the same.

a.      When we give to missions to start new churches, it is a work of faith.  When we share the Gospel and distribute tracts, it is a work of faith.  When we teach, preach, parent, and serve these are works of faith.  When we bring people to church it’s a work of faith.

b.      To do work produced by faith does not mean that new believers have to leave their jobs and become full-time Christian workers. Believers can work for the kingdom in almost any vocation, for as we rub shoulders with nonbelievers, we can have a positive impact for Christ. Our faith in him prompts our work for him in our present vocations.

c.      Remember, we may not see the results or the immediate fruit of all our work, but we are to continue to work in faith without becoming discouraged.

i.      Isa 55:11, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

ii.      Isa 46:10,  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

iii.      This is a tremendous trait in a strong church!

Anyone may claim to have faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, but what about us? Are we motivated to promote his kingdom, advance God’s will, or spread Christ’s gospel?  

Paul Remembers Their Labor of Love (Vs 3)

Another viable evidence of authentic salvation is laboring motivated by godly love.

A.      Love Is an Evidence of Salvation: “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). We are “taught of God to love one another” (1 Thes. 4:9).

1.      2 Cor 5:14-15, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15, And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (See Rom 5:8)

2.      Christ-like love presses and compels us to serve (Acts 18:5).

B.      Love Is A Motive For Service. They were motivated to serve God because they love the Lord Jesus. We serve Christ because we love Him; this is a “labor of love.” “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

1.      They performed labor prompted by love for Christ. This consisted in their serving the true and living God (v. 9) in the midst of persecution (v. 6).

2.      Heb 6:10, For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

3.      Why is it that Missionaries say good-bye to their parents, Pastor, Church, Family and Friends and go half way around the world to reach a people that really don’t want them there?  How is it that they stay in the work for years, and decades without complaining.  Because it’s a labor of love!

C.       Love Also Motivates Believers To Work Hard.

1.      Note the contrast between work and labor. Whereas work may be pleasant and stimulating, labor often involves strenuous effort to the point of fatigue and even exhaustion.

2.      Labor is toil, or wearisome effort, generally. Labor denotes not so much the actual exertion which a man makes, but the weariness which he experiences from that exertion. Labor speaks of what Christians ought to render to the Lord as labor in the Christian ministry (John 4:38; 1Cor 3:8; 15:58; 2Cor 6:5; 10:15; 11:23, 27).

3.      Unsaved people live for themselves (Eph. 2:1–2), but as true believers we are willing to toil because of love. We have a new motive for living; we love Christ and love others (Heb. 10:24–25).

D.      Love Should Compel Us to Serve; not cheap motives for profit (money, fame, self-glory, prestige, or personal honor ect.)

1.      MISSIONARIES TO JAPAN—BRO. & SIS. FENCH (71 yrs old)

2.      MISSIONARIES TO ZIARE, AFRICA—BRO. & SIS. DEAL (72 yrs old).  No doubt these missionaries were driven by the love of Christ!

A person may claim to love Jesus Christ, but what about us? When serving in Christ’s church becomes labor—real work, do we begin to back off or conveniently shifts our priorities?

Paul Remembers Their Patience of Hope Vs 3

The final evidence of real salvation in this passage is hope that sustains patience.

A.       They Steadfastly Waited For the Lord Jesus to Return

1.      “This speaks of their steadfast waiting for Jesus. They had been undergoing persecution as a result of their valiant stand for Christ. But no cracks had appeared in what Phillips calls their “sheer dogged endurance.” –MacDonald, William

2.      The believers at Thessalonica fixed their hope solidly on the return of Jesus Christ (v. 10).  –Nelson Study Bible

B.      This Is the True Hope of Believers—the Coming of Christ in the Rapture. This is mentioned at the closing of each chapter of this book.

1.      “To wait for His Son from Heaven” (1:10)

2.      “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming” (2:19)

3.      “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (3:13)

4.      “caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (4:17)

5.      “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:23)

C.       This Hope Is The Third Evidence Of Salvation, Waiting For Jesus Christ To Return (1 Thes. 1:10).

1.      The return of Jesus Christ is the dominant theme of both of both Thessalonian letters. Unsaved people are not eagerly awaiting the Lord’s return. In fact, when our Lord catches His saints up into the air, unsaved people will be totally surprised (1 Thes. 5:1–11). Let us be watchful for our Lord’s coming in the rapture for we know not when He will return for us.

2.      Faith, hope, and love are evidences of genuine salvation. These spiritual qualities are bound together and can come only from God (1 Cor 13:13; Rom 5:1–5; Gal 5:5–6; Col 1:4–5; Heb 6:10–12; 10:22–24; 1 Pet 1:21–22).

D.      They Could Patiently Endure the Suffering and Persecution in Light of the Lord’s Return

1.      “Patience” or endurance is “a bearing up continually and cheerfully under a heavy load” (2 Thes. 1:4).

2.      Such patience is inspired by hope in Christ. Specifically waiting for God’s Son from heaven (1 Thes. 1:10). This is why Paul kept this encouraging theme before them—he knew it would help them endure the pains they were facing.

3.      The lost have no hope. Believers have endurance in life’s trials because we know Christ is coming again. We need not give up in times of trial because we know the Savior is coming to deliver us (1 Pet 1:1–9; 4:12–16).

An individual may claim to hope in Jesus Christ as the one in control of his or her life, but what about us? When faced with difficulty or disappointment, do you endure in the faith or basically turns away in frustration?

Beloved, these three fundamental virtues should mark every genuine child of God—faith, love, and hope (1 Cor. 13:13). They testify to the reality that these Thessalonian were truly saved people. Paul knew they were saved because of the changes in their lives. God’s life was demonstratively evident in these Thessalonian believers. Faith, hope, and love must result in work, labor, and patience that will motivate us throughout life—signifying that we really “got the goods” when we trusted the Savior. How are faith, hope, and love evident in you?

The Effective Pastor's Impact

Ephesians 4:11-16

Pastors are given to churches as gifts to bring the members into spiritual maturity (Vs. 11).  A pastor, with his pastoral staff, who is effective as an overseer and shepherd will certainly make this passage a reality (Eph. 4:11-16). In addition, he must be vested with the Spiritual Gifts and Maturity to lead and serve the church as Pastor.  Success in churches is often measured by attendance, money, and facilities.  This is actually rank worldliness, unvarnished shallowness, and fleshly carnality.  There is nothing truly spiritual about these matters...they are simply manmade metrics to a large degree. Some will point to a few passages in the Bible to defend their use of these measures, but the truth is any company, organization, or religious group can brag about the same type of statistics. These measures do not include anything inherently supernatural or God-wrought! Well then...what does God actually require? How can a faithful pastor gauge whether or not he is having a God-honoring impact? Notice the marks of the effective pastor according to God’s view:

     1.  The Church Will Be Spiritually Prepared and Well Trained.   Vs 12,  For the perfecting of the saints . . . .

The gift-people/leaders are to prepare God’s people for works of service.  That is the equipment of all God's people in the church for ministry.   The idea is "to prepare" or "to put right."  The thought is applied to surgery in the setting of a broken bone, to the mending of nets (Matt 4:21) and the restoration of the back-slider (Gal 6:1).  Such preparation is the work and service of the pastor. The pastor literally trains the deacons, trustees, preacher boys, Sunday School teachers, ushers, treasurers, and Children’s church workers.  Leaders are not to do all the work of the ministry; leaders are to prepare the members to minister.

Remember the old TV show Six Million Dollar Man? Think about how he was basically rendered a paralytic as a result of a space shuttle crash upon return from space.  But the doctors used high tech equipment to rebuild and reconstruct him... to make him better than ever before. This is the idea behind the pastor’s ministry of taking people who have been paralyzed and broken by sin, leading them to Christ; then with the Word of God rebuilding them and making them productive for the Lord Jesus Christ.

     2.  The Church Will Be Serving and Working Effectively.     Vs 12,  for the work of the ministry

It is here that we have often missed the implications of the body of Christ portrait, and developed congregational patterns that deny rather than express what the church is. All too often leaders are hired by a congregation to do the “work of the ministry.” The pastor is expected to teach. To evangelize. To counsel. To visit the sick. To pray with the discouraged. If the church grows in size and new members are added, it is taken as an indication that their local congregation is healthy and the minister is doing his job. If the church fails to grow or the budget is not met, the one to blame is the minister. After all, he was hired by the church to minister.

How different is this modern view from the Bible’s portrait of a living body! In a living organism, every cell contributes. The body’s health depends on each member fulfilling its special function. No one person can carry out the functions of the living organism the Scripture describes. No one person or team of paid professionals was ever intended to. The role of leaders within the church has always been to help the members of the body grow in capacity to minister; to help each individual find and use his or her spiritual gifts. The role of leaders has always been to lead all believers into a fulfilling life of service.  This is the key to effective ministry and healthy church life—good food and plenty of exercise will keep a body healthy and strong.

When we miss this, and put the ministry of the church onto the professional, we have lost sight of who we are. The local congregation becomes weak, unable to respond as a healthy body to the directions of its Head.

     3.  The Church Will Be Built Up Spiritually and Numerically. Vs 12,  the edifying of the body of Christ:

The first ministry of believers is to other believers.  Spiritual growth in house supercedes numerical growth through reaching out.

A son of about five years old, wanted to mow the family lawn. They had a push mower then. The kind in which the blades moved only when the wheels moved, and the wheels were moved by people power. Well, little Paul pushed and strained—and finally found an answer. He leaned on the handle, lifted the wheels off the ground, and easily moved the mower on just the back roller! How busy he looked, chugging up and down across the lawn. And how little grass he cut!

After a while, the father would explain. “Soon, Paul, you’ll grow, and then you’ll be able to make those blades turn. Then you can help a lot.” (Wiersbe)

How often in the church we concentrate on organizing spiritual five-year-olds to push better lawn mowers, and wonder why so little of God’s grass gets cut! The church is called to first be “edified” and “grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ” (v. 15). Maturing within the body, growing more and more like Jesus, is the believer’s first calling. To equip the church for service, believers must minister to one another first and then to the world.

Do not misunderstand: this focus on building one another up is not “selfish.” It is essential. Only as we grow toward maturity together can we respond fully to Jesus as He directs us to serve in the world. Only a strong and healthy body can carry out the tasks assigned to it in evangelism and missions. Our effectiveness in communicating the Gospel and the love of God to the world around us depends on our growth toward maturity. This kind of growth takes place as we—members together of one body—build each other up in love, each part doing its own ministering work (vs. 16).

     4.  The Church Will Be United and Growing in Unity (Doctrine)   Vs 13,  the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God

The ultimate goal in view is the attainment of completeness in Christ.  Paul likewise insisted on the togetherness of Christians in the church in other passages (1Thess 4:15-17). In vs. 4:3 "the unity of the Spirit" is a blessing to be pursued and guarded.  Here "unity in the faith" is a goal to be pursued and reached.  Growing in unity in “the faith” deals with doctrine the true foundation of unity, not love.  You never sacrifice doctrine for some kind of false unity. Such a realization of unity will arise from an increasing knowledge of Christ as the Son of God in corporate as well as in personal experience.

     5.  The Church Will Be Focused on Spiritual Maturity and Strength.   Vs. 13,  unto a perfect man,

Vs. 15, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

It is vital that we “grow up into Him” if we are to be a valid expression of Jesus in this world. The whole body grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work and makes its valuable contribution (vs. 16).  This is sometimes hard to accept. We look at the world and are burdened by the need for evangelism. We look at the poor and are burdened by the need to help and bring relief. We look at the suffering and are impelled to comfort and to care. So sometimes we slip into the trap of organizing the local church to undertake one or more of these tasks. We program evangelistic efforts and buy more buses. We commit ourselves to an active church social life and great involvement.  All too often we lose sight of the fact that the first function of the body is to build itself spiritually.   Our goals must be to be a perfect mature strong man who can stand firm for Christ is a darkened world.  The first area of growth must be spiritual.

     6.  The Church Will Be Projecting a Combined Testimony to the Character of Christ as a Standard.    Vs 13,  unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

The local church as a whole is seen as "one new man" in Christ (Eph 2:15). Individualism is a mark of immaturity.  This perfection or completeness is proportionate to “the fullness of Christ” himself.  Another believer is not the standard, nor merely another church, but Christ himself is.

The “fullness of Christ” himself is the standard.  Just as Christians may be filled to the measure of “all the fullness of God" (Eph 3:19), so together we are to aspire to the full measure of perfection found in the character of Christ.  Everyone should seek moral and spiritual conformity to the image of Christ.  This is an appropriate body for a glorious Christ. (MacDonald)  

Let us project together a clear and accurate portrait of the stature and fullness of Christ’s Character.  Let us as a church assembly be conformed to His outstanding features spiritually and morally.  Just as He was Wise, Faithful, Holy, Committed, Submissive, Fervent, Compassionate, Loving, Unselfish, and Gracious so should His local churches corporately be.

     7.  The Church Will Be Stabilized by Sound Doctrine and Not Gullible.    Vs 14,  be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about                                                                                                                                         

The metaphor of maturity is carried over from vs. 13. Immaturity is avoided when we follow God’s pattern. There must be no hindrance in development among us as believers and church members.  We are to abandon childish and shallow attitudes and be our age (1 Cor. 13:11). Paul switches from one metaphor to another as he depicts the features of spiritual infants.  We cannot afford to be babes “tossed to and fro” and whirled around by every gust of fashionable false teaching. Blown here and there and feeling dizzy from the confusing effect of false doctrine. No, our goal must be to grow up!

Yes, we are to be stabilized and planted in sound doctrine which affords rock solid direction for life and practice. One of the main reasons Christians get out of sorts with the pastor is because they cannot appreciate mature wisdom and sound doctrine applied to everyday life.  Beloved, do not settle down as a mere spiritual babe– underdeveloped because of a lack of exercise in truth (Heb. 5:12). Make the choice to grow up and become a part of the stability of the church instead of being an unstable perpetual liability.

     8.  The Church Will Be Focused and Contributing in Every Subdivision.   Vs.16,  the whole body fitly joined together . . . according to the effectual working in the measure of every part . . . .

Every member involved, and making a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the church and positively impacting the community for Christ.  Each member focused on the same basic goals, priorities, and mandates.  Each member contributing according to his or her gifts and abilities effectively.  Not just busy, but accomplishing the very will of God.

     9.  The Church Will Be Growing, Increasing, and Ministering in Love to Each Other   Vs 16,   maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

There will be no compromise as to clear biblical teaching and the fundamentals of the faith.  Then there will be a right spirit of love supervising the ministry activity ensuring that there is no one-sided testimony.  Yes,  a remarkable balance between love and truth is wonderfully achieved.  Together we make a complete living organism mutually contributing and growing in harmony.  This process depends on the fact that the various parts of the body are interrelated. The whole is continually being integrated and kept firm by each separate ligament. (Walvoord)

Certainly these are the biblical marks of and effective pastor, pastoral staff and church!  Pastoral authority extends as far as is required to accomplish his great task.  Pastors must be gifted and spiritual to accomplish these great spiritual tasks.  Talent in good, but it will not get these objectives accomplished!  We are very success-oriented as Americans, and this has led to churches putting a premium on “results.” Success in the church is often measured by attendance, money, and facilities. The church with the greatest attendance, the most money, and the nicest facilities looks the most successful. Whenever a church finds a way to increase all three, that pastor is likely to be in high demand as a speaker and consultant, regardless of whether or not the church measures up to the scriptural criteria for success. (Wiersbe)

As a result, churches often put a premium on talent over godliness, ability over maturity. This has led to disastrous consequences. The Bible makes it clear that leadership in spiritual matters is not merely a matter of talent.  It is a matter of spiritual gifts and spiritual maturity (Eph. 4:11-16).  If we put those two issues first and talent second, we will find a higher level and quality of leadership being chosen for churches.

Our modern society is in desperate need of more Christ-like believers and churches. The only thing many people will ever know about God is what they see of His radiance reflected in our daily lives and collective testimony. Our ability to represent our Lord worthily is only possible through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit in the church.

This hymn text by Thomas Chisholm is one of his more than 1,200 fine poems, many of which have been set to music and have become enduring hymns of the churches. This one, published in 1897, was his first hymn to be widely received.

                                                            O TO BE LIKE THEE!

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer. This is my constant longing and prayer; gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion, loving, forgiving, tender and kind; helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

O to be like Thee lowly in spirit, holy and harmless, patient and brave; meekly enduring cruel reproaches, willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading, pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love; make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling; fit me for life and heaven above.

Chorus: O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art! Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Reflect on this statement: “He who does not long to know more of Christ really knows nothing of Him yet!”  (101 Hymn Stories)

Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ

The Philippian Jailer’s Salvation II

ACTS 16:30-32

How can we be sure we are saved? Is there more than one way to God? I have heard people claim with total confidence that they know they are saved! They have no doubts about it. With some folk; however, they speak about their salvation as something they are uncertain about…they are “working on it.” They have a ‘hope so’ mentality, and not a ‘know so’ assurance. Then there are those who do not think much about the subject at all and just assume God will accept them because they are basically ‘good people.’

Part of the reason for this confusion is the reality of counterfeit salvations spawned in the dark heart of Satan (2 Cor. 4:3-5). Unfortunately, many have believed the devil and failed to believe God. These are working hard to earn their salvation by their works, diligence, and adherence to a church’s creeds or religious rules. Others seem to be church-going people, but they are merely ‘hoping’ they will finally “make it in” to Heaven. They really are not sure about what it actually means to be saved by God’s grace. Then that final group is generally oblivious of the importance and weight of these eternal matters—they simply ignore them and avoid the subject like the plague.

It is in the body of Scripture that we find the actual teaching that a person can be saved and know they are (1 John 5:10-15). One way to use the Scriptures to discern if this is our case is to compare the Scriptures with our ‘salvation experience.’ We are not given to living under misconceptions; we deeply prefer to know the truth. This study is designed to help identify the critical elements that are a part of a genuine conversion. The Bible account of the Philippian Jailer is an excellent passage from which to identify those vital elements. It will serve as our case study for this article. Therefore, we will use it as the basis of our presentation and use other verses in the Bible to support and validate what is stated in the Acts 16 passage.

My promise during the course of this study is to be biblical and Christ-centered in everything I claim and say. My purpose is to minister peace and grace, and not to engender confusion and frustration. I want to encourage you to read this article through several times and look closely at the verses that are used. They are the words of life. Cling to God’s truth and statements regardless of traditions, religions, and denominational affiliation. Listen carefully to God’s Word as He speaks to your heart.

Lastly, this study is a continuation of “The Philippian Jailer’s Salvation I.” The major emphasis in that study was:

I.  The Preparation for the Jailer’s Salvation (Acts 16:25-29). 

God often uses difficult challenges and awkward situations to bring people’s attention to the most important matters in life. One of the most crucial issues of all is a relationship with God, and the forgiveness of sins.  Many people leave this matter unaddressed; they ignore God their entire lives. Except God take the initiative, they would continue in ignorance. If you are not familiar with that article, I encourage you to read it as well on my blog, MaxEvangel.blogspot.com. Now that this area has been explored, we are now prepared to look at the next point of focus:

II. The Elements of the Jailer’s Salvation (Acts 16:30-32).

Though the details of each person’s conversion experience will differ greatly, the elements of a genuine salvation experience are always the same. The ages, the places, the day of the week, month of the year, circumstances leading up to conversion will differ from person to person. However, elements like conviction of sin, a desire to be saved, acceptance/belief of God’s clear Word (Gospel), heartfelt repentance of sin, and faith in Christ as the sole means of salvation are essentials. These are the elements we will explore in this study.

A.  HE HAD A SINCERE DESIRE TO BE SAVED.

Acts 16:30, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Going into Paul and Silas’ cell, the jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” This question is filled with significance. How did he know to ask this specific question? He must have understood what he was asking. Undoubtedly he had heard the story of the slave girl and how she had announced these men to be servants of God with the message of salvation (v. 17). Very possibly also the prayers and singing of Paul and Silas (v. 25) had reached his ears. The Spirit of grace was working deep within the precincts of his soul persuading and convincing him of his need to be saved. Also the combination of the awesome earthquake with the subsequent opportunity for the prisoners to escape and Paul’s reassuring words all moved him to ask about the way of salvation. Several lessons can be drawn from this:

1.      A Person must first realize they are desperately lost and hopeless without Christ.

a.       The jailer saw himself as lost and needing to be saved; therefore, in desperation he cried out to the preachers for direction! It is helpful to understand what we mean by “lost” and “save.” The word “lost” literally means to destroy; cause to perish eternally; and deprived of eternal life. This undesirable condition describes all humanity who have not yet believed on Christ. It does not matter how religious and sincere they are. If they have not come to the point where they regard Jesus Christ as the only means of hope for eternity, then they are still lost.

b.       When applied to salvation, “lost” means our relationship with God is broken by our sin. We are at a lost for a relationship with God, we are at a lost for deep inner peace, we are at a lost for hope for all eternity, we are spiritually alone, and if we die in this lost condition, we will consciously suffer in the Lake of Fire (Hell) forever. This is what God endeavors to rescue us sinners from. He is not interested in people perishing forever—He desires to save each of us.

c.       By “saved,” we mean that our relationship with God has been established through faith in Jesus Christ. This means we have been forgiven, reconciled to God, our sins have been completely paid for, we can live for God now, and we will be with Him in Heaven. Genuine Believers have been rescued from the eternal consequences of our sins. Many passages use the term ‘saved’ and the ‘lost sheep’ analogy to describe sinners doomed to perish unless they are rescued (Matthew 10:6; 15:24; 18:11; Luke 15:4, 6, 9, 24; 19:10). Before a person trusts Christ, they must realize and sense deeply their desperate and absolute NEED for Him and His sacrificial payment for sin.

2.      A Person is ready to be saved when they actually (truly) desire to be saved! 

a.       We must desire to make things right with God Whom we have greatly offended with our sinfulness and wayward deeds! Remember what we are is far worst then anything we have done! We are sinners, and this is why we sin! This is why we confess ourselves sinners.

b.       We Must Desire to Have our Sins Forgiven and Washed Away through the blood of Christ!  That is, we understand that the price of sin is death and death is the obligation presently looming over us because we have sinned (Rom. 5:12; 6:23). We discover Christ paid this sin debt for us two thousand years ago and believe it is sufficient payment to God. Upon trusting Christ, we are forgiven, our guilt for sin is washed away, and God does not recognize any of our past offenses against Him any longer. The repentant sinner must desire to be forgiven by God.

c.       We Must Desire to avoid the Judgment of God at the Great White Throne upon the Lost! Though this is sometimes played down or minimized, standing before an extremely holy God guilty of violent and flagrant offenses against Him and His Law is not a comfortable place to be (Rev. 20:11-15). No not by any stretch of the imagination. Many of us would be content if we never had to stand before a human judge in a county courthouse. Can you imagine what it will be like giving an account before the Almighty All-knowing God of the universe? He cannot be deceived nor manipulated; He knows everything about us…everything…yes, everything.  

d.       We must Acknowledge The Lord Jesus Christ and His Authority!  We come to God on His terms (Rom. 10:8-14, 17). We cannot come to Him desiring to be forgiven when we have no intentions of conforming to His expressed will in the Word. The rebel must be willing to live in obedience to God with the intent of following through as a disciple of Christ. Salvation is free to us, but trusting Christ is a commitment of oneself to follow Him as Master and Lord after He has saved us. Christ is not interested in saving a person with a heart of rebellion committed to continuing in their rebellion!

3.       A Person is ready to be saved when they come to God on His terms, and not upon their own ways or ideas. Because we realize we can do nothing to save ourselves, we humbly accept God’s one way to be saved. Acts 2:37-38, Now when they [Jewish crowd] heard this, they were pricked in their heart [convicted of having rejected The Christ], and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do [they were desperate for God’s remedy]? 38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent [turn from unbelief and rejection of Christ by turning to God through faith in Christ], and be baptized [believer’s baptism upon being saved] every one of you in the name [the singular authorized way to God] of Jesus Christ for [because of] the remission [forgiveness] of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [be indwelt by the Spirit for Christian living]. So, our baptism, a religious ceremony, the Law of Moses, keeping the Sabbath, obeying the Golden Rule, a Church, following the Ten Commandments, an Institution, or any diligent efforts or works cannot save us. Saving sinners is the job of Jesus Christ alone, and He is not accepting resumes for His position!

B.  HE ACCEPTED/BELIEVED THE CLEAR PERSPECTIVE OF GOD’S WORD.

Acts 16:32, And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Today we would say Paul and Silas gave him the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They told Him how Christ died for our sins, how He was buried to demonstrate He really did die, and that He rose again the third day just as the Scripture predicted He would (1 Cor. 15:1-6). They explained how Christ was “wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:5, 6). Beloved, this is the clear perspective of the Word of the Lord.

Note, how John expressed this in 1Jn. 5:10-13,

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11, And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

This is what God said—His record—and what He requires! The substance of our faith—what we believe—is important to God and our salvation. We are not free to just believe anything or everything. No, salvation is through specific beliefs regarding the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. A problem with believing on Christ for salvation is usually a problem with accepting God’s Word and witness as the final authority! Again, the Philippian Jailer readily accepted the “Word of the Lord” and so did his family members who were old enough to receive it and believe it.

C.  HE PLACED HIS FAITH IN THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Acts 16:31, And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Paul knew the right answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”—faith in Jesus Christ. That is the correct answer. Simple yes, but also true. Let us take a moment and look closely at this simple answer though. This is necessary because different denominations, movements, and religions teach different things. The devil is a master of counterfeiting and confusing the issue by introducing many false ideas with the hope of burying the truth. So, let us take a close look:

               1.  SALVATION IS A SIMPLE PROPOSAL—“Believe” (Acts 16:31).

                      a. “Believe” John 3:15-18, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [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.

i.                    First the only folks ready to "believe" are those who are repentant. We cannot believe on Christ for forgiveness of sin unless we first realize we are guilty before a holy God (J. R. Rice, MacDonald & Farstad). With this being the case, to believe is to place your trust and confidence in; it is acting on what we trust.  Jesus did not say be baptized to be saved, He did not say join the church to be saved, and He did not say do good works to be saved. Jesus said believe! Trust God—believe God—from the Heart with your entire being! Depend on what God said in the Bible—believe His Bible statements about Jesus Christ and salvation. Believing Christ is risking our entire hope for eternal life and a relationship with God on Jesus Christ and His cross. We refuse to trust in anything or anyone else!

ii.                   Many people today seem to have difficulty knowing what it means to believe. "However, when a sinner realizes she or he is lost, helpless, hopeless, hell-bound, and when she or he is told to believe on Christ as Lord and Savior, she or he will know exactly what it means" (MacDonald & Farstad). God’s Spirit will help him know what this means (John 16:7-14). The Spirit of God will see to this matter with extraordinary diligence. Finally, since the sinner cannot save themselves, believing is the only thing left that they can do!

                      b. “Come” Matt 11:28, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It is a simple invitation to salvation issued by the Lord Jesus Christ. He likens salvation to simply coming to Him. Too all who bare the heavy burden of guilt, failures, and the consequences of those moral failures, Christ simply says come to Me and promises us rest for the soul. The toiling and grappling with a heavy conscience is over once we entrust our burden to the Savior.

                      c. “Receive” 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: (Salvation is a gift; all we can do is receive it to make it our own—Rom. 6:23)

Rev 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Open the door of your person—your entire life—and receive Him is the application for this passage.

                       d. “Repent” Acts 3:19, Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord…. We sinners must do an ‘about face.’ Change our minds and hearts about God and Sin! No longer desiring our sin more than we desire God, but turning away from our self-styled life to a life filled with hope in God. Remember sin is our enemy, not God! God through Jesus Christ is our Savior, and not we of ourselves! Have a change of heart and mind that leads to a change in your direction, and turn to God in full assurance of faith for salvation!

To clarify further, repentance is not living a good life or even cleaning up our lives in order for God to accept us. This is working to achieve or earn salvation. God finds such efforts repulsive and fully objectionable! Repentance begins inside when we realize we have offended a righteous God with our sinfulness. We realize we desperately need His forgiveness because we stand utterly condemned before Him. Again repentance is a change of heart and mind that leads to a change in course or direction. We are no longer running from God while justifying our sinful lives, we are now running to God admitting that we are awful sinners and we yearn for His forgiveness.

               2.   SALVATION IS IN AND THROUGH ONE PERSON—“the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).

                      a. “Lord” = Deity     b.  “Jesus” = Humanity     c.  “Christ” = Messiah, Anointed One

In the Book of Acts, the emphasis is on faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 2:38–39; 4:12; 8:12, 37; 10:10–43; 13:38–39).

Acts 8:37, And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Actually this is the focus of the entire body of Scripture! Salvation is not in a religious movement, a church, a denomination, a preacher, priest, nor any other religious figure; salvation is ONLY in the Person Jesus Christ! He alone is the Way, Truth, and Life and it is impossible to enter a relationship with God without Christ (John 14:6). What about all other world religions? That is precisely the problem; they are mere religions of working one’s way to God to finally be accepted. In the Christian Faith God reaches out to us, died for us, rescues us, forgives us, brings us to Himself, delivers us, and we enjoy a relationship with Him.

               3.  SALVATION IS BASED ON A PROPOSITION—“On” (Acts 16:31). Rom 10:9-10, 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.  10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

                      a. The Death of Christ in Our Place—as our substitute.  Rom 5:6, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

                      b. The Resurrection of Christ for Our Justification/Acceptance (Rom. 4:25).

                      c. It is Not What We Must Do To Be Saved, It is What He Has Done That We Trust in to be Saved!

2 Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                     d. Salvation is totally by God’s free grace (Eph. 2:8, 9). God does not reward salvation because we have earned it throughout a faithful life. No, God gives us salvation freely because we believe on Christ who lived a sinless faithful life, was crucified to pay for our sins, and rose again from the dead to save all who will repent and believe in Him. This is grace and it means free salvation to Believers; to attempt to earn our own salvation would be an insult to the God who gives it freely out of love.    

4.      God is interested in saving the entire family (Acts 16:31-34). 

a.       The phrase “and thy house” does not mean that the faith of the jailer would automatically bring salvation to his family. Each sinner must trust Christ personally in order to be born again, for we cannot be saved “by proxy.” The phrase simply suggests “and your household will be saved if they will also believe.” We must not read into this statement the salvation of infants (with or without baptism) because it is clear that Paul was dealing with people old enough to hear the Word (Acts 16:32), to believe, and to rejoice (Acts 16:34).

b.       God desires every person old enough to believe to be saved in every household! God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He does not want the wife in Heaven and the husband in Hell or vice versa. God desires a relationship and fellowship within the home and the entire family unit. He wants the entire family to know Him and walk in His will for them. He truly has the best interest of all at heart.

Once again the specific details of our conversion experiences will not be identical. God never intended that they would be. People get saved all the time in different places, times, circumstances, and on the list goes. These incidentals are not the focus when judging and discerning the authenticity of our own salvation experience. The elements we should concentrate on and look for are things like conviction of sin, a desire to be saved, acceptance/belief of God’s clear Word (Gospel), heartfelt repentance of sin, and faith in Christ as the sole means of salvation. These are essential and crucial elements of a genuine conversion. Are these elements evident in your salvation experience? When you look back at that day you claim you were saved, do you see these elements? The scope of this study is not to breed confusion; my aim is to help people find peace with God through a real salvation experience. Yes, there are counterfeit ‘so-called salvations’ that are confusing the real issue. These we must avoid falling prey to. My prayer is that this study and the verses from God’s Word will speak to your heart and lead you to full assurance or genuine salvation.