God Wants You to Be Saved

God Wants You to Be Saved

I. Introduction.

A. When you think about your life & the life to come, do you possess a certain sense of dread?

B. Have you ever felt hopeless?

C. Do you carry around a burden of guilt?

D. Do you feel God could ever be satisfied with you?

E. Each one of us is engaged daily in a battle against evil. We want to & are striving to do that is right.

1. A constant relentless battle.

2. A battle that leaves scars & wounds on the soul at times.

F. We have all felt the grief & guilt that sin brings on.

1. Why do we often choose to do the things that bring guilt/dread/worry to our lives?

G. Feel ashamed of what we have done.

H. Begin to wonder if we’ll ever make it to heaven. We know we want to go there more than anything.

a. We understand there is really no alternative to heaven.

b. Yet we slip up and fall and wonder if there will be any chance for a person like me to go to heaven.

C. Have heard a preacher who had been preaching for years and years that a lady sent him a letter once and it went something like this:

1. Lady had been a Christian for almost 40 years.

a. Attended services regularly.

b. was present at all the Bible classes

1. But felt that she couldn’t remember anything about the Bible.

c. Felt that she struggled with her prayers.

1. Feel asleep. Didn’t pray regularly.

d. Feel sometimes attention lacked in sermons.

2. Asked the question: “Can There Be Any Hope for me?”

3. Perhaps you share some of the same struggles.

4. Read Romans 7:19. Can you identify with this verse? How?

5. Seems 1 step forward & take two steps backwards.

a. Feel that the Lord could never be satisfied with a person such as me.

b. Seems that I get stronger in the battle against sin, then fall back and struggle.

6. And we wonder, “Is there any hope for me?”

II. Spiritual Supermen???

A. This question sometimes is magnified in my mind by another problem.

1. The fact that some Christians appear to be strong outwardly.

2. Describe the ideal Christian

3. We might define a “super-strong” Christian by:

a. Always a smile on their face, never swearing; perfect marriage; never get angry; etc.

b. What are they doing that I’m not???

1. Sometimes forget that everyone struggles with sin. No one is immune.

2. Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8,10

B. Then we have the example of those in the Scriptures. E.g., Paul.

1. Think of Paul!

a. 1 Cor. 11:23-28 - in stonings, persecution, trials, shipwrecks,

b. Stood through these things!

2. Think of the apostle Peter…someone who was a great example for us all to follow.

a. Stood through various trials….tradition says crucified upside down.

b. Another spiritual superman!

C. Yet look at what these men had to say…

1. What did Paul struggle with as he served God? 1 Cor. 2:1-3

2. Do you think Peter wrote from personal experience when he wrote 1 Peter 5:6-9? Why?

a. First hand experience as to how devil wanted to devour him.

b. These men realized what it was like to get down in the trenches and fight against the devil. Just as we do on a daily basis….

3. Now… “Is There Any Hope For Me?”

III. Jesus Christ Died For Someone Like Me!!!

A. If He can forgive people in Mt. 26, then he can forgive me!

B. Bible Characters in Mt. 26-27: Peter; Herod; Pilate; Crowd of Jesus; Roman Soldiers…

1. For example in Mt. 26:69-74….Peter denies Jesus not once, but 3 times. In Matt. 26:56 - all disciples forsake Him & Flee!!!

2. John 21 – they were forgiven…Jesus knew they didn’t fully understand.

C. Some good passages in Hebrews to consider:

1. Heb. 7:24-25; Js. 4:8

a. no one that Jesus can’t save, if they will only realize they need to come to Him1

2. Heb. 2:14-18

3. Also, Mt. 26:41 - Jesus understands the weakness of the human flesh!

D. 2 Pet. 3:9, 14-15 – God is patient!

1. How patient was Jesus with the apostles?

a) Here are a group of men that had a terrible time understanding the concept and scope of His kingdom.

b) spent great time & discussion about who would be the best in the kingdom - Mt. 18:1-2

c) But yet, Jesus didn’t just cast them off & say “That’s it!” or “I’m through with you!”

1. Gave them chances to do what is right!

2. Wanted them to apply the knowledge of His teaching to their lives!

2. The Lord will be Patient with Us Too.

a. What opportunities in your life do you see to do good?

b. Wants us to achieve the highest possible good! 2 Pet 3:14

c. We must use the time we have been given to do right!

5. The Lord Never Excuses Horrible behavior but always encourages us to do better. The Bible is clear on this subject. Those who willingly sin will pay!

E. Savior Gave Up So Much to Come to Earth.

1. Phil. 2:7-8

2. Christ didn’t do that for nothing! He did this so “I” can go to heaven.

3. Without Christ, we have nothing. John 14:6; 15:5

4. The gospel is good news! Good news that we do have a chance of going home to Heaven.

5. Is Heaven an attainable goal?

a. We all need to realize that we can go to heaven.

1. Readily available to all those who obey the Lord & make the commitment to do that which is right!

2. Remember Heb. 7:25 - able to save the uttermost.

F. A Reward Reserved in Heaven for You!

1. 1 Peter 1:3-9

a. What does “mercy” mean to you?

b. Notice “abundant mercy” “mercy” is defined as: kind and compassionate treatment; clemency; a disposition to be tender & forgiving.

c. Because of this mercy, we once again have a living hope of salvation, because of the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

d. What is an incorruptible inheritance?

e. Inheritance incorruptible - does not fade away! Never ends! True idea of permanence.

2. Just as it did for Peter & the Apostles, this awareness of the reward should motivate us to do what is right!

3. Where is our citizenship? Phil. 3:20-21

Conclusion

A. So as we tackle the question “Can Someone like Me Be Saved” We think of the things we have talked about today!

1. We have a merciful, loving, savior who desires each and everyone of us to go home to heaven.

2. This should give us great hope!

B. What are some things you can do to leave here tonight with confidence?



God Wants You to Be Saved I. Introduction. A. When you think about your life & the life to come, do you possess a certain sense of dread? B. Have you ever felt hopeless? C. Do you carry around a burden of guilt? D. *Do you feel God could ever be satisfied with you?* E. Each one of us is engaged daily in a battle against evil. We want to & are striving to do that is right. 1. A constant relentless battle. 2. A battle that leaves scars & wounds on the soul at times. F. We have all felt the grief & guilt that sin brings on. 1. Why do we often choose to do the things that bring guilt/dread/worry to our lives? G. Feel ashamed of what we have done. H. Begin to wonder if we’ll ever make it to heaven. We know we want to go there more than anything. a. We understand there is really no alternative to heaven. b. Yet we slip up and fall and wonder if there will be any chance for a person like me to go to heaven. C. Have heard a preacher who had been preaching for years and years that a lady sent him a letter once and it went something like this: 1. Lady had been a Christian for almost 40 years. a. Attended services regularly. b. was present at all the Bible classes 1. But felt that she couldn’t remember anything about the Bible. c. Felt that she struggled with her prayers. 1. Feel asleep. Didn’t pray regularly. d. Feel sometimes attention lacked in sermons. 2. Asked the question: “Can There Be Any Hope for me?” 3. Perhaps you share some of the same struggles. 4. *Read Romans 7:19. Can you identify with this verse? How?* 5. Seems 1 step forward & take two steps backwards. a. Feel that the Lord could never be satisfied with a person such as me. b. Seems that I get stronger in the battle against sin, then fall back and struggle. 6. And we wonder, “Is there any hope for me?” II. Spiritual Supermen??? A. This question sometimes is magnified in my mind by another problem. 1. The fact that some Christians appear to be strong outwardly. 2. *Describe the ideal Christian* 3. We might define a “super-strong” Christian by: a. Always a smile on their face, never swearing; perfect marriage; never get angry; etc. b. What are they doing that I’m not??? 1. Sometimes forget that everyone struggles with sin. No one is immune. 2. Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8,10 B. Then we have the example of those in the Scriptures. E.g., Paul. 1. Think of Paul! a. 1 Cor. 11:23-28 - in stonings, persecution, trials, shipwrecks, b. Stood through these things! 2. Think of the apostle Peter…someone who was a great example for us all to follow. a. Stood through various trials….tradition says crucified upside down. b. Another spiritual superman! C. Yet look at what these men had to say… 1. *What did Paul struggle with as he served God?* 1 Cor. 2:1-3 2. *Do you think Peter wrote from personal experience when he wrote 1 Peter 5:6-9? Why?* a. First hand experience as to how devil wanted to devour him. b. These men realized what it was like to get down in the trenches and fight against the devil. Just as we do on a daily basis…. 3. Now… “Is There Any Hope For Me?” III. Jesus Christ Died For Someone Like Me!!! A. If He can forgive people in Mt. 26, then he can forgive me! B. Bible Characters in Mt. 26-27: Peter; Herod; Pilate; Crowd of Jesus; Roman Soldiers… 1. For example in Mt. 26:69-74….Peter denies Jesus not once, but 3 times. In Matt. 26:56 - all disciples forsake Him & Flee!!! 2. John 21 – they were forgiven…Jesus knew they didn’t fully understand. C. Some good passages in Hebrews to consider: 1. Heb. 7:24-25; Js. 4:8 a. no one that Jesus can’t save, if they will only realize they need to come to Him1 2. Heb. 2:14-18 3. Also, Mt. 26:41 - Jesus understands the weakness of the human flesh! D. 2 Pet. 3:9, 14-15 – God is patient! 1. *How patient was Jesus with the apostles?* a) Here are a group of men that had a terrible time understanding the concept and scope of His kingdom. b) spent great time & discussion about who would be the best in the kingdom - Mt. 18:1-2 c) But yet, Jesus didn’t just cast them off & say “That’s it!” or “I’m through with you!” 1. Gave them chances to do what is right! 2. Wanted them to apply the knowledge of His teaching to their lives! 2. The Lord will be Patient with Us Too. a. *What opportunities in your life do you see to do good?* b. Wants us to achieve the highest possible good! 2 Pet 3:14 c. We must use the time we have been given to do right! 5. The Lord Never Excuses Horrible behavior but always encourages us to do better. The Bible is clear on this subject. Those who willingly sin will pay! E. Savior Gave Up So Much to Come to Earth. 1. Phil. 2:7-8 2. Christ didn’t do that for nothing! He did this so “I” can go to heaven. 3. Without Christ, we have nothing. John 14:6; 15:5 4. The gospel is good news! Good news that we do have a chance of going home to Heaven. 5. *Is Heaven an attainable goal?* a. We all need to realize that we can go to heaven. 1. Readily available to all those who obey the Lord & make the commitment to do that which is right! 2. Remember Heb. 7:25 - able to save the uttermost. F. A Reward Reserved in Heaven for You! 1. 1 Peter 1:3-9 a. *What does “mercy” mean to you?* b. Notice “abundant mercy” “mercy” is defined as: kind and compassionate treatment; clemency; a disposition to be tender & forgiving. c. Because of this mercy, we once again have a living hope of salvation, because of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. d. *What is an incorruptible inheritance?* e. Inheritance incorruptible - does not fade away! Never ends! True idea of permanence. 2. Just as it did for Peter & the Apostles, this awareness of the reward should motivate us to do what is right! *3. Where is our citizenship? Phil. 3:20-21* Conclusion A. So as we tackle the question “Can Someone like Me Be Saved” We think of the things we have talked about today! 1. We have a merciful, loving, savior who desires each and everyone of us to go home to heaven. 2. This should give us great hope! B. What are some things you can do to leave here tonight with confidence?