“Kept By The Power Of God Through Faith”
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. The Bible clearly teaches that a Christian:
1. Is saved – Acts 2:47
2. And has eternal life – John 3:36
B. But the Bible also teaches that heaven is yet future
1. …kept by the power of God through faith…, 1 Peter 1:3-5
2. The Christian lives in hope of eternal life (Tit. 1:2)
C. There is no contradiction in these verses
1. God’s promises do not have to be inevitable to be certain
2. For example:
a. Joshua 6:2
b. Hebrews 10:32-36
D. Because salvation in heaven is prospective and conditional, the Christian, having obtained fellowship with God, must maintain it:
1. We must not only “get” saved,
2. We must “keep” ourselves saved
E. For us to remain saved we must consider and understand three “desires”
1. The Devil’s Desire
2. Deity’s Desire
3. A Disciple’s Desire
DISCUSSION:
A. THE DEVIL’S DESIRE
1. 1 Peter 5:8
a. Satan’s desires is that we be lost
b. He seeks to devour us as a roaring lion
2. The Christian can sin so as to be lost
a. Acts 8:18-25
b. Hebrews 6:4-6
c. But notice 1 John 5:16-17
1) There is a difference between sin “unto death” and a sin that is “not unto death”
2) A sin unto death is a sin not repented of
3. The Christian is continually involved in a spiritual warfare
a. There is a real enemy that must be dealt with (1 Pt. 5:8)
b. 1 Peter 5:9
b. Ephesians 6:12
c. Genesis 4:7
4. The Christian must reach forward to the goal
a. Philippians 3:12-14
b. A complacent Christian is a contradiction in terms – “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12)
c. Revelation 2:10
d. Hebrews 2:1
B. DEITY’S DESIRE – KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
1. John 3:16-17
a. God’s does not want us to be lost
b. That is why He sent His Son!
2. God is our Friend – He is own our side, and is willing and able to help us remain true to Him
a. God has anticipated and graciously supplied our every spiritual need – Ephesians 1:3
b. With God for us, we need not fear losing our salvation against our will – John 10:28-29
1) No one can take us from God’s hand
2) Sadly, though, many jump from the safety of God’s hand
3. God is also our Helper – He provides us with what we need in this spiritual warfare
a. Jesus is our Brother (Heb. 2:11-12)
1) He is our Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
2) He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2)
3) He is our merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:17-18)
4) The blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sins (1 Jn. 1:7-10)
b. For our warfare, God does many things
1) He delivers us from temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)
2) The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26)
3) Even the angels assist in helping us (Heb. 1:14)
4) God chastens us for our good (Heb. 12:5-11)
5) God helps and strengthens us through His word
a) Psalm 28:6-7
b) Philippians 4:13
c. God provided specific blessings for the Christian’s security
1) The congregational relationship – Hebrews 10:24-25
2) Special servants (Eph. 4:11-16)
3) The Scriptures – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
4) Prayer – Philippians 4:6-7
C. A DISCIPLE’S DESIRE – KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
1. Christians are secure in Christ, but conditionally so
a. Proverbs 14:26 – The condition: The Fear of the Lord
b. A Christian can be positive and optimistic about his salvation in Christ
1) 1 John 2:28
2) 1 John 3:19
3) We can have a triumphant attitude – 1 John 5:4-5
c. Yet, we must not be lackadaisical about our obedience
1) Unwarranted confidence must be avoided, as well as unnecessary fear
2) 2 Peter 1:10-11
3) Only the obedient will go to heaven
a) Ephesians 5:5-7
b) Hebrews 5:9
d. Only the obedient children of God can have true confidence of going to heaven
2. Christians are exhorted to avail themselves of God’s help in remaining faithful
a. There are many admonitions to remain faithful:
1) Take heed (1 Cor. 10:12)
2) Gird up the loins of our mind (1 Pt. 1:13)
3) Discipline ourselves (1 Cor. 9:27)
4) Be rooted in the faith (Col. 2:7)
5) Put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18)
6) Be strong in the Lord (2 Tim. 2:1)
7) Stand fast in the faith (1 Cor. 16:13)
8) Resist the devil (Jam. 4:7)
b. Here are some activities that will greatly aid us in remaining saved
1) Daily prayer
2) Daily Bible study
3) Associate with fellow Christians often
4) Be involved in the work of the church
5) Be regular in attendance
6) Accept correction
7) Be repentant
c. God’s provisions are neglected only at great peril
CONCLUSION: …kept by the power of God through faith…
A. Romans 8:37
B. Hebrews 2:1
C. Philippians 1:6
D. 1 Peter 1:5
E. Remember:
1. Satan desires us to be lost
2. God desires us to be saved
3. Our desire must be obedience