So far in our Teaching Notes series we’ve looked at these topics:
- God
- The Trinity
- Jesus Christ
- The Holy Spirit
- The Word of God
We move next to The Need For Salvation.
[These notes are from 40 years ago when I spoke to a group of pastors. The notes are in outline form.]
Genesis 1 and 2 teach us that man was:
- made in the image and likeness of God (1:31; 2:25)
- without guilt or shame (1:31; 2:25)
The first human being had a perfect relationship with God.
The Lord gave man one command:
- he was not to eat the fruit of one certain tree in the garden
- if he did, man would die.
Man did eat of the fruit of that tree and was overcome with shame and guilt (Genesis 3:1-13)
At that moment he experienced spiritual death (separation from God) and would also experience emotional, mental and social death.
At the age of 930, Adam died physically.
God was not caught unaware when man disobeyed.
God revealed His eternal plan for saving man from everlasting separation from God.
The Lord would send a Man (Seed of the woman) who would provide the promised redemption (Genesis 3:15).
I believe that Jesus Christ is that Man – who would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-23).
Jesus came to give His life for mankind. His disciples spoke of Him as being our “Savior” (Titus 3:6; 2 Peter 2:20; 1 John 4:14)
The Apostle Paul taught this about the need for salvation:
- all people are sinners and separated from God (Romans 3:23)
- people who believe in Jesus Christ receive a position of justification before God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
- Jesus Christ was the propitiation (payment) for our sins (Romans 3:25)
The source of our salvation is found in:
- God’s grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8)
- God’s love (Romans 5:8)
- God’s mercy (Titus 3:5)
- Christ alone (Acts 4:12)
- The Cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18)
The Bible teaches plainly that:
- salvation comes through faith alone
- salvation is not something we earn or deserve
- salvation is a free gift that God gives to us because of His kindness toward us
The Apostle Paul told a man long ago that salvation becomes ours as we place our full and complete trust in Jesus Christ the Lord (Acts 16:31).
We receive the gift of eternal life (salvation) through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your ministry.]