Salvation by faith

Introduction

I will be commencing a series of the popular sermon of John Wesley called 44 Sermons. These were articulated together over the years on different occasions. The first series was published in four volumes in the years 1746, 1748, 1750, and 1760, the fourth edition was in 1787.

These cover a series of topical issues that address access to our faith, living in the faith and most parts viewing the sermon of Jesus on the mount.

John said in the preface to this collection.

“I have accordingly set down in the following sermons what I find in the Bible concerning the way to heaven with a view to distinguish this way of God from all those which are the inventions of men.”

Let me say to you that this is not an attempt to regurgitate John Wesley’s words, but rather the scriptures. They are sound teachings that are scripturally based, as we know that John Wesley was a proponent of scriptural holiness and experiential faith.

I will teach on each topic, trusting God for fresh revelations to share in a contemporary language by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And where very applicable, I will mention some important issues that John may have mentioned in his note.

Today I will start off with the topic “SALVATION BY FAITH.”

This title was originally preached by John at St Mary's Oxford before the University on June 18 1738.

Let us read the scripture together.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

The word salvation simply means being preserved or delivered from harm or ruin or loss. It is a state of being protected from harm.

In the religious cycle, especially in the Christian faith, salvation can be defined as the deliverance from sins and their consequences.

Why salvation? - The world became evil

God created a good world and the inhabitant in it. But something went wrong because of the interference of Satan and the cooperation man with him that led to disobedience to God’s instruction.

Sin pushed man away from God’s presence and enslave us to the shackles of the devil all life long resulting in death. All men became a partaker of sin through the error of the first man and woman.

Psalm 51:5 NKJV

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Romans 3:23 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Romans 5:12 NLT

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

The consequences of this are far-reaching, ranging from sicknesses, lack of peace, emotional trauma failures, defeat, marital troubles, all forms of pain and disappointment, and ultimately death physical and spiritual.

Breaking free

However, God’s love for us did not make to let go of us. I love this scripture to put that in perspective.

Jeremiah 31:20 NLT

"Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?" says the LORD. "I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That's why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.

This explains it all. God said He still loves us, despite the punishment that banished us from His presence. Therefore, He made every effort to reconcile men to Himself. This initiated various sacrifices and the law in order to tame the behavior of man and bring peace between him and God.

To break free from the shackles of sin was not achievable by obedience to the law and sacrifice of the blood of animals.

The road to salvation

Let me come back to the text

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.

There are two major elements that pave the path to salvation.

Grace
Faith

Grace, because it was not by merit. New Living Translation explains that verse this way – “And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”

Salvation is not obtained because of how good you are or the family you came from. From the background I have given earlier there is nothing in us that endears us to God to make us deserving of being delivered from the bondage we put ourselves in.

Are you at the sound of my voice, you know it yourself that you have been rough. You have so much disconnected yourself from God into various vices. Maybe you came from a dysfunctional home, bury in addiction to drugs, alcoholism, pornography, gambling, sexual misbehavior, and disorientation. Have you been sold to killing and shedding people’s blood, causing pain to others by transferring your aggression and insecurity to them?

I come to you with a gift today, and that is the gift of salvation! The package of this gift is prepared by grace and served by grace.

This salvation is not a religious exercise, it is not to invite you to join a religious sect or movement. It is a direct invitation by God your creator, who has always loved you even though you were away from Him.

Titus 2:11-12 NLT

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. [12] And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

Now the choice is yours, to obtain the gift of salvation from the horrible situation you find yourself in or reject it.

The reality is that a gift is not forced on people it is only offered and received. So is salvation offered by grace.

Obtaining Salvation by faith

Romans 3:21-22 NLT

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. [22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Can you cast your mind to a time somebody brought you a wrapped gift for you during an occasion of celebration? You will not naturally ask the person what did you wrap in the box, you will simply accept it by faith that it is not something that will harm you.

It is the same way the gift of salvation is offered to men; you can only obtain it by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

Packaged in this gift is the deliverance obtained for you by Jesus Christ through His atoning blood shed on the cross of Calvary. This is why the acceptance of this gift of freedom can only come by faith in Jesus Christ who was born, died, and live again for you live also.

Matthew 1:21 NLT

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Revelation 1:18 NKJV

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Unveiling your gift box

What is the package in your salvation box? I will highlight few things from the writing of John Wesley here.

Salvation from sin – Is 53:4-5, 1 Pet 2:24
Salvation from the guilt of all past sin – Rom 8:1
Salvation from fear – Rom 8:15, 2 Tim 1:7
Salvation from the power of sin – 1 John 3:4-9
Power to sin no more - Rom 6:14
Deliverance from sickness of the body and mind – Is 53:
Eternal Life – Rom 6:23

I love John’s summary of the salvation gift.

This is then the salvation, which is through faith, even in the present world. A salvation from sin and the consequences of sin, both often expressed in the word JUSTIFICATION, which, taken in the largest sense, implies a deliverance from guilt and punishment, by the atonement of Christ actually applied to the soul of the sinner now believing on him, and a deliverance from the power of sin through Christ formed in his heart. So that he who is thus justified or saved by faith is indeed born again.

But note, after you unwrapped this package for manifestation in your life, you are to keep this gift.

Conclusion

Romans 5:1-5 NKJV

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

You can watch the teaching here

44 Sermons of John Wesley Series - SALVATION BY FAITH - Revd Bamidele Oni

Salvation By Faith

Salvation by faith

Introduction