TEXT: John 3:1-8
AIM: That we may know and appreciate the transforming power of the saving faith in Christ Jesus.
INTRODUCTION: The greatest miracle on earth is the salvation of a soul. Even though it occurs in the heart of a person, it affects his whole being. No one can claim to be saved when the evidence of the salvation is not seen in his or her life style. This is why Jesus says, "By their fruit, you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:20). James adds that "faith without works (evidence) is dead" (James 2:26).
STEPS TO SALVATION
Acknowledge that you are a sinner (I John 1:7-9).
Your first step to salvation is for you to recognize yourself as a sinner and that you cannot save yourself (Timothy l: 15). For this reason, you need the
Saviour.Repent from sin (Acts 3:19). A sinner must confess his or her sin to Christ and be ready to renounce it completely (Proverbs 28: 13).
Confess Christ as your Saviour (Romans are many 'saviours' that people follow in the world today. But for a genuine salvation, every sinner must see and confess Christ Jesus as the One and Only Savour of all mankind (Acts 4:12).
Believe in Jesus (John 3:18). A sinner must believe in Christ Jesus and hand his or her life over to Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
EVIDENCES OF SALVATION
- Freedom marked from guilt and peace with God (Romans 5:1; 8:1). Genuine salvation is marked by unconditional inner peace and joy which cannot be purchased with money. All heavy loads of guilt are totally rolled away.
Newness of life (2 Corinthians 5: 17). By the redemptive work of Christ, new life in Christ replaces the old life of sin, and a sinner becomes a saint of God.
Denying ungodliness (Titus 2: 1 1 , 12). The holy nature of God engulfs conversion. And this makes us hate all forms of ungodliness.
Passion for God (Psalm 42: 1 , 2). Everyone who is truly converted wants know more of God. A passionate inner drive makes one go deeper, searching for God day and night through an inductive study of the Bible.
Inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14, 15). One of the blessings of salvation is the coming of the Holy Spirit (the third Person of the Trinity) to reside in us. Our body becomes His Temple (I Corinthians 3:16) and He communicates with us all the time.
Boldness to approach God in prayer (Hebrews 4: 14-16). Once converted, a sinner is no longer estranged from God. He is drawn near to God and becomes confident to approach the Throne of Mercy.
Love for prayer (Ephesians 6:18-20). Prayer is the 'life-line' of our spirituality. As a major evidence of salvation, every new convert always thirst for communication with God through a life of prayer (I Thessalonica 5 : 17, 18).
Freedom from the control of sin (Romans 6: 14-18). When a sinner becomes born again, the domineering power of sin upon him is broken. He is no longer under the law of sin that tied him down to sinning. But now, the law of the Spirit liberates him from the power that made him sin.
Separation from the world (Galatians 4:4; I John 2:15-17). If anyone claims to love God, and at the same time he is engrossed in worldly fashions and styles its evil desires, he is only deceiving himself. You cannot be the lover of God same time a lover of worldly things. Jesus said,
My kingdom is not of this world(John 18:36a).
- Passion for winning lost souls(2 Corinthians 5:19, 20). For our salvation to be profitable to God, it must bring other lost souls to Christ (John 15: 16). Passion for soul-winning goes along with genuine conversion.
WHO NEEDS SALVATION?
Every human being needs salvation because of the sinful nature we are born with (Romans 3:23; I John I : 8)
Those who call Jesus "Lord" but do not keep His commandment (Matthew 7:21).