God's Plan of Salvation (2)
The Essentials - Part 2
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
7 pm 

HOW DO WE RECEIVE SALVATION: It’s not by our own works

• Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV)
• Romans 3:20: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." (NIV)
  


• Two Things Happen When We Receive Salvation:
• (1) FORGIVENESS OF SIN (GOD’S MERCY)
  • Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (NIV)
    
    
  • 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)
    
    
  • Acts 3:19-20a: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (ESV)
    
    
  • John 6:37: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (KJV)
    
    
• (2) ETERNAL LIFE
  • John 1:12-13: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (NLT)
    
    
  • 1 John 5:13: “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (BSB)
    
    
  • 1 John 5:11: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (HCSB)
    
    

Where do you go after salvation? --- Five habits to develop

• GATHER together to worship.
  • Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (BSB)
    
    
• CONNECT through fellowship.

                Acts 2:42: “They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship                        meals and the prayers.” (GN)

• GROW through discipleship.
  • 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (NIV)
    
    
• SERVE our community.
  • Matthew 23:11: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (NIV)
    
    
• IMPACT our world.
  • Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (NIV)
    
    

• The most important things to remember as a Christian:
  • (1) Through Jesus, we have strength to overcome.
    • Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)
      
      
  • (2) We’re to never be ashamed of our faith.
    • Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (NKJV)
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  • (3) When we’re tempted to do wrong, God always gives a way out.
    • 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (NIV)