Theme: The Bible tells the story of God’s plan to save His people through the life, death and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ. Today we look at the nature of this salvation: its motivation, means, appropriation and the metaphors used in Scripture to describe it.
Outline:
1. The Reason for Salvation: God’s Love and Grace - John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1-6, Titus 3:4-5
2. The Means of Salvation: The Atonement - Sacrifice or payment that results in reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5. What does the atonement accomplish. Theories:
Example Theory - 1 Peter 2:20-21
Ransom Theory - payment of ransom to Satan. 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mark 10:25. The ransom was paid to God, not Satan
Satisfaction of God’s justice (sin can’t go unpunished) - Romans 3:25-26
3. The Appropriation of Salvation: Faith Alone - Ephesians 2:8-9. A gift is free, it doesn’t cost you anything. Romans 4:4-5. What is saving faith? Faith is not:
Blind faith (ignoring the facts)
Not just believing (in anything) - the object of your faith matters
Not self-motivation (faith in your abilities)
Saving faith is:
Admitting you can’t do it (repentance)
Depending on God to do ti (faith)
Faith isn’t the opposite of works. Faith is the opposite of self-sufficiency. Works are the result of faith. Ephesians 2:8-9
4. The Consequences of Salvation - what happens to us when we’re saved? Metaphors for salvation:
A. Justification - Problem: Guilty. Solution: Justification (acquittal) - Romans 3:25, 8:1-4
We could not keep the law because of our sin nature
Our sin was punished in Christ’s body
God’s law of justice was met in Christ
B. Reconciliation - Colossians 1:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Alienated, broken relationship. Reconciliation (restored relationship)
C. Redemption - Freedom from slavery. Enslaved to sin. Romans 7:14, 25, 6:16-18
D. Regeneration - Spiritually dead, regeneration (new birth). John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:3
E. Adoption - Hosea 11:1 (Israel’s adoption), Romans 9:4, 8:15
F. Sanctification - Made holy. Used both in referring to the moment of salvation and the process. 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11 (moment of salvation). Defiled/unholy - given Christ’s holiness at salvation. Sanctification - Also a process of growth. 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
G. Glorification - Both present and future. Romans 8:30. We’re mortal, glorified in Christ. Colossians 3:1-4. Future: 1 Corinthians 15. The certainty of salvation - Romans 8:29-30: Predestined - Called - Justified - Glorified (God foreknew)