What is Salvation?
Ephesians 2:8–10 (NLT)
8 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. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I. Salvation Begins with God’s Grace
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”. Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
Jesus said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.”* (John 6:44, NLT)
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.”* (Titus 2:11, NLT)
II. Salvation Is Received by Faith, Not Forced
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise… He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
James 2:17. So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
III. Salvation Includes Justification: Being Made Right with God
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 (NLT)
IV. Salvation Is Ongoing: Growing in Holiness
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12–13 (NLT)
V. Salvation Leads to a Transformed Life and Mission
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Salvation is:
* Initiated by **God’s grace**
* Offered to **all people**
* Received through **faith**
* Confirmed by **justification**
* Continued through **sanctification**
* Lived out in **holy love and good works**
8 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. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I. Salvation Begins with God’s Grace
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”. Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
Jesus said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.”* (John 6:44, NLT)
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.”* (Titus 2:11, NLT)
II. Salvation Is Received by Faith, Not Forced
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise… He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
James 2:17. So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
III. Salvation Includes Justification: Being Made Right with God
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 (NLT)
IV. Salvation Is Ongoing: Growing in Holiness
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12–13 (NLT)
V. Salvation Leads to a Transformed Life and Mission
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Salvation is:
* Initiated by **God’s grace**
* Offered to **all people**
* Received through **faith**
* Confirmed by **justification**
* Continued through **sanctification**
* Lived out in **holy love and good works**