Once Saved Always Saved?

Once Saved Always Saved?

2003031

Subject: falling from grace

Introduction:

A. Many believe once a sinner redeemed by Christ – it is impossible to sin so as to fall from God’s grace & be eternally lost.

1. Is this true? We’ll explore the answer to this question today.

B. Little doubt God gave man a free will – as to determine the course of life pursued.

1. Living for God

2. Living for self.

C. But many who agree man has free will – still argue that after man saved he is helpless to refuse God’s election & so live as to be lost.

1. Consistent? Hardly!

D. But what about Rom. 8:35-39? 1 Pet. 1:5? John 10:27-29?

1. Is God able to do what He promised? Certainly!

2. If one falls into apostasy – not due to any failure on God’s part!

3. ….not due to a lack of power on God’s part.

4. And…we DO know no one can pluck the saved out of God’s hand – if we choose to remain faithful!

E. Disagreement comes when we ask, “Can a believer choose to quit obeying God & thereby cease believing?”

1. Scriptures answer with a resounding “yes!”

2. Ezek. 18:20-24

I. Saving Faith is Not the Act of a Moment – but a way of life!

A. Can one believe temporarily? Jesus said so – Lk. 8:11-15

1. what about the branches which would be cut off? Jhn. 15:1-6

2. What about Heb. 3:12-14?

a) Remember Israelites who perished in unbelief?

b) 3:15-19- CHOSE to quit obeying God!

c) 4:1, 11 – we can have the promise but come short of it.

B. These passages tell me I must keep believing to continue in God’s grace.

1. Saving faith seen in Lk. 8:15. Contrast to 8:13.

C. Two possible directions for a disciple to go after obedience to the gospel.

1. Col. 1:21-23; 2 Tim. 3:13-15 – “continue in the faith.”

2. Heb. 10:37-38 – draw back.

D. 1 John 3:7-10 - Christian is expected to put on righteousness & quit sinning.

1. There’s a course of life being described here – 3:9 This is the person who no longer “serves sin.”

2. See also Rom. 6:1-16.

a) 6:6 – no longer “slaves of sin.”

b) 6:12 – “not letting sin reign in mortal body.”

c) 6:14 – doesn’t let sin be a master over him.

3. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 – who are we living for? Are we seeking to put on holiness & righteousness?

II. Examples of some who fell away.

A. Acts 8:5-24 – Simon.

1. 8:13 – believed & baptized. Mk. 16:16 – how can anyone deny his being saved?

2. 8:18-20 – sin explained.

3. 8:23 – Peter describes the condition of Simon’s heart.

4. 8:22, 24 – told to repent.

B. Gal. 5:3-4 – those who sought to be justified by the law.

C. 1 Tim. 1:19-20 – Hymenaeus & Alexander – faith was shipwrecked.

D. Acts 5:1-10 – Ananias & Sapphira

E. 2 Tim. 2:16-18 – Hymenaeus & Philetus & other unnamed men.

III. Are we willing to heed the warnings?

A. 1 Cor. 9:27 – are we like Paul?

B. 1 Cor. 10:12 – are we following this admonition?

1. Those who espouse the OSAS doctrine ignore this passage & give people a license to sin.

2. contrary to Rom. 6:1-2

C. Heb. 6:4-6 – some can develop conscience hardened to truth – making it impossible to repent.

1. 6:4-5 – they were saved

2. 6:6 – they fell away.

D. Heb. 10:26-31 – received knowledge of truth; sanctified by blood of Christ.

1. But sinned willfully; trampled under foot the son of God.

E. Note Peter’s warning – 2 Pet. 2:20-22.

IV. Promise of salvation has conditions!

A. Unbelievers have the promise of being lost. Jhn. 3:18; 3:36

1. Can they change their destiny? Certainly! Ezek 18:20-24. Free moral agent.

B. Salvation based on our continuing to hear & believe.

1. John 5:24; 1 John 5:11-13

2. This is true IF one remains a believer!

3. One can cease from hearing & believing & therefore go back to condemnation. Heb. 3:12

C. Robert Harkrider: Eternal life is not the consequence of a moments act of faith sometime in the past – but it is our promised possession based on the continuation of a present living faith.

Conclusion:

A. Someone says that emphasis on maintaining salvation – Phil 2:12 – shifts the emphasis off of salvation through God’s grace to meritorious works.

1. Not so. Titus 2:11-12 – God’s grace (salvation) has appeared & we have responsibility to live in accordance w/His conditions.

B. Are you meeting those responsibilities? If not, why not?

1. 2 Cor. 6:1-2

C. Not a Christian? This is not an impossible task! YOU can live for Christ! Eph. 3:21.

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Once Saved Always Saved? 2003031 Subject: falling from grace Introduction: A. Many believe once a sinner redeemed by Christ – it is impossible to sin so as to fall from God’s grace & be eternally lost. 1. Is this true? We’ll explore the answer to this question today. B. Little doubt God gave man a free will – as to determine the course of life pursued. 1. Living for God 2. Living for self. C. But many who agree man has free will – still argue that after man saved he is helpless to refuse God’s election & so live as to be lost. 1. Consistent? Hardly! D. But what about Rom. 8:35-39? 1 Pet. 1:5? John 10:27-29? 1. Is God able to do what He promised? Certainly! 2. If one falls into apostasy – not due to any failure on God’s part! 3. ….not due to a lack of power on God’s part. 4. And…we DO know no one can pluck the saved out of God’s hand – if we choose to remain faithful! E. Disagreement comes when we ask, “Can a believer choose to quit obeying God & thereby cease believing?” 1. Scriptures answer with a resounding “yes!” 2. Ezek. 18:20-24 I. Saving Faith is Not the Act of a Moment – but a way of life! A. Can one believe temporarily? Jesus said so – Lk. 8:11-15 1. what about the branches which would be cut off? Jhn. 15:1-6 2. What about Heb. 3:12-14? a) Remember Israelites who perished in unbelief? b) 3:15-19- CHOSE to quit obeying God! c) 4:1, 11 – we can have the promise but come short of it. B. These passages tell me I must keep believing to continue in God’s grace. 1. Saving faith seen in Lk. 8:15. Contrast to 8:13. C. Two possible directions for a disciple to go after obedience to the gospel. 1. Col. 1:21-23; 2 Tim. 3:13-15 – “continue in the faith.” 2. Heb. 10:37-38 – draw back. D. 1 John 3:7-10 - Christian is expected to put on righteousness & quit sinning. 1. There’s a course of life being described here – 3:9 This is the person who no longer “serves sin.” 2. See also Rom. 6:1-16. a) 6:6 – no longer “slaves of sin.” b) 6:12 – “not letting sin reign in mortal body.” c) 6:14 – doesn’t let sin be a master over him. 3. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 – who are we living for? Are we seeking to put on holiness & righteousness? II. Examples of some who fell away. A. Acts 8:5-24 – Simon. 1. 8:13 – believed & baptized. Mk. 16:16 – how can anyone deny his being saved? 2. 8:18-20 – sin explained. 3. 8:23 – Peter describes the condition of Simon’s heart. 4. 8:22, 24 – told to repent. B. Gal. 5:3-4 – those who sought to be justified by the law. C. 1 Tim. 1:19-20 – Hymenaeus & Alexander – faith was shipwrecked. D. Acts 5:1-10 – Ananias & Sapphira E. 2 Tim. 2:16-18 – Hymenaeus & Philetus & other unnamed men. III. Are we willing to heed the warnings? A. 1 Cor. 9:27 – are we like Paul? B. 1 Cor. 10:12 – are we following this admonition? 1. Those who espouse the OSAS doctrine ignore this passage & give people a license to sin. 2. contrary to Rom. 6:1-2 C. Heb. 6:4-6 – some can develop conscience hardened to truth – making it impossible to repent. 1. 6:4-5 – they were saved 2. 6:6 – they fell away. D. Heb. 10:26-31 – received knowledge of truth; sanctified by blood of Christ. 1. But sinned willfully; trampled under foot the son of God. E. Note Peter’s warning – 2 Pet. 2:20-22. IV. Promise of salvation has conditions! A. Unbelievers have the promise of being lost. Jhn. 3:18; 3:36 1. Can they change their destiny? Certainly! Ezek 18:20-24. Free moral agent. B. Salvation based on our continuing to hear & believe. 1. John 5:24; 1 John 5:11-13 2. This is true IF one remains a believer! 3. One can cease from hearing & believing & therefore go back to condemnation. Heb. 3:12 C. Robert Harkrider: Eternal life is not the consequence of a moments act of faith sometime in the past – but it is our promised possession based on the continuation of a present living faith. Conclusion: A. Someone says that emphasis on maintaining salvation – Phil 2:12 – shifts the emphasis off of salvation through God’s grace to meritorious works. 1. Not so. Titus 2:11-12 – God’s grace (salvation) has appeared & we have responsibility to live in accordance w/His conditions. B. Are you meeting those responsibilities? If not, why not? 1. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 C. Not a Christian? This is not an impossible task! YOU can live for Christ! Eph. 3:21. D. I N V I T A T I O N