Sermon Notes

The greatest enemy of human souls is the self-righteous spirit, which makes men look to themselves for salvation

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Introduction

We have arrived at the Bible’s most essential doctrine: the core message that Jesus came to earth to save humanity from sin and the eternal separation from God that sin causes.

The doctrine of salvation teaches that Jesus Christ is the only path for humans to receive forgiveness for their sins and to anticipate eternal life in heaven.

Key verses for the doctrine of salvation

8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Salvation = the act of being delivered, redeemed, or rescued from the power and penalty of sin.

The Situation – The miracle that embraces us.  (Acts 3:1-10)

 The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing. (MSG)

• A man who was disabled from birth was placed at the entrance of the temple, allowing him to be seen by those entering and exiting.

• His disability prevented him from walking into the temple on his own.

• Similarly, our sinful nature leaves us unable to save ourselves from the consequences of sin and death.

Encouragement: A man was miraculously healed in the name of Jesus, allowing him to walk into the temple, leaping and praising God. Similarly, we can experience freedom in Christ, knowing our sins are forgiven and death has been conquered through His grace.

The Complication – The message of salvation is offensive (Acts 4:1-13)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

• A crowd gathered around the man who could now walk and praise God, giving Peter the chance to share the good news of Jesus.

• The religious leaders, temple guards and Sadducees were offended by Peter’s message because he proclaimed salvation in no other name or source other than Jesus Christ. (See Acts 4:12)

• They were amazed by the miracle that healed the man, but they rejected Jesus as the saviour of the world.

Challenge – Many find the gospel message offensive because it emphasises Jesus as the sole way, leaving no room for alternative paths. This is the core teaching of the doctrine of salvation: by Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Resolution & Celebration – It’s never too late for something new (Acts 4:21-22)

For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. (Acts 4:22)

• Despite facing threats and disdain from religious leaders, the number of believers in the Church in Jerusalem grew to around five thousand (Acts 4:4).

• Luke chose to note the age of the man, which is significant because he had suffered the physical and emotional trauma of his condition for 40 years.

• The miracle at the Beautiful Gate and the gift of salvation serves as testaments to the idea that it’s never too late for meaningful change in our lives.

Encouragement: Whether you are over 40 or not, it’s never too late to receive the precious gift of salvation; it’s the best gift that anyone could receive. To know Jesus is to know life eternal, peace, and joy.

Questions

1. The biblical doctrine of salvation is based on God’s saving grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. How would you encourage someone who believes salvation is works-based? (Think about scriptures that could support)
2. Have you ever experienced divine healing, or do you know someone who has? What impact can miracles have on a person’s faith and on those around them?
3. Read Acts 3:1-10. Put yourself in the position of the man in need. How does the man’s situation relate to people in our society today, and how can the church better serve people with disabilities?
4. The sermon emphasised that the message of salvation can be offensive. Why is this the case, and what reactions have you observed from people today who reject the gospel message?
5. Read Acts 4:18-20. Were Peter and John right to disobey the commands of the authorities? Hypothetically, what would be an appropriate response as a church if our government passed a law making it illegal to preach the gospel?
6. Read Acts 4:22. It is often said that as we get older, we become set in our ways. Do you think it’s easier or more challenging for older people to open their hearts to the gospel? Discuss your reasons.