Save Yourself

Acts 2:40, Gal. 2:20

The idea that the doctrines of grace apply only to "initial salvation" is error. Many believe in Grace for salvation, but not grace for living. This particular passage is not talking about salvation in order to go to heaven. The whole scope of salvation is from initial forgiveness of sinfulness to purification of life. There are saved people in every denomination (Rev. 18:4 - "Come out of her, my people.")

1. Matt. 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus came to save His people from their sins. He came to do more than just get them out of hell, but to purify their lives and be a witness to all.

2. Matt. 24:13 - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. If you endure to the end, you shall be saved. To understand the vast lifetime scope of salvation, immediately clears up any difficulties with this and other scripture.

We desire more than just getting out of hell and going to heaven. We desire to live for Christ.

We don't want to rest on the doctrine of "Security of the Believer" - Like a lot of people do.

1. I Cor. 3:11-15 - For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Saved yet so as by fire.

2. Much unhappiness caused by saved people not living for God.

3. When we are saved, we get all that is necessary to live for God.

a. Titus 2:11-13 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; the grace that brought salvation teaches us how to live.

b. I John 2:27 - But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. The same anointing you received at Salvation will teach you.

4. I Thess 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation of:

a. Spirit - in salvation (salvation from hell, to heaven)

b. Soul - in life (progressive sanctification)

c. Body - In resurrection (glorification)

5. Mark 12:30 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. True Godly love is in: (1) heart, (2) soul, (3) mind, (4) strength.

Untoward - perverse, crooked.

1. Must make an effort to save our lives.

2. Break off from companions who are wicked.

a. (They have a powerful control on our affections.) These companions who are wicked does not mean those that are drunkards, wife swappers, and such, but those who are not Godly. Those who are lost.

b. It is our responsibility to be with God's people. It is not their responsibility to continually "look us up" so we can be with them.

3. Unite with God's people (In a local church)

a. Acts 2:44 - And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Together.

b. Acts 2:46 - And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, House to house.

More than joining a church (verse 41 - joyfully). These are new converts, this is also good for older converts to. Make an effort to find new friends among God's people (In the local Baptist Church)

Verse 46 - Continue steadfastly in apostles doctrine - not occasionally, but continually.

1. Continued daily. Regular attendance in church services means you are looking for the return of the Lord.

a. Heb. 10:23-27 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Some are lax concerning church attendance.

b. Titus 2:13 (11-13) - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Spirit that saved teaches us to look for the return of the Lord.

c. II Peter 3:17 - Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Be careful you don't fall from your own stedfastness

2. Apostles doctrines - not doctrines of our own.

a. Acts 2:46 - And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, In the Temple - heard preaching and learned. Note: They could probably hear false doctrine in the temple (from the Pharisees), but they were able to tell the difference.

b. Pay attention to the New Testament today.

1. II Peter 3:2 - That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: the word of us the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. Jude 17 - But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Pay attention to the apostles words.