Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Jan. 30, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:

MISTAKEN ABOUT SALVATION

By Michael D. O’Neal              Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church              Albany, Georgia

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Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-3

Text: Romans 10:3

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Introduction: All of us are mistaken about some things. I’m sure I must be mistaken about some things; I just don’t know what they are.

You can be mistaken about some things and not suffer greatly. However, other mistakes are deadly:

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

You can be mistaken:

• and marry the wrong person, but still go to heaven
• and join the wrong church, but still go to heaven
• and take the wrong job, but still go to heaven
• and go to the wrong restaurant, but still go to heaven

But you can’t be mistaken about SALVATION and still go to heaven!

I am afraid that THE GREAT MAJORITY of people who attend church are mistaken about salvation! That means that MOST people who go to church are going to die and go to hell!

BE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND:

I. SALVATION IS NOT IN A CHURCH;
IT IS IN CHRIST!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A. Some who are on the pews are not pardoned

B. Some who serve in church are not even saved

C. Some who sing the songs are not sincere

D. Some who raise their hands are not real

E. Some who have joined have not been justified

Are you in Christ? I was in Christ two weeks before I got into a local church as a member. If you are in CHURCH, but not in CHRIST … THAT mistake will send you to hell!

II. SALVATION IS NOT IN THE WATERS OF BAPTISM;
IT IS IN BEING WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST!

Revelation 1:5b Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

A. Salvation precedes baptism

• I was washed in the blood two weeks before I ever got into the baptistry

B. Salvation is a prerequisite for baptism

C. Salvation is pictured in baptism

Have you been washed in the blood?
If you have been baptized in water, but not washed in the blood of Christ, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

III. SALVATION IS NOT IN RECITING A PRAYER;
IT IS IN RESTING IN A PERSON

Acts 16:29-31 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

A. No sinner after Calvary was born again by asking God for mercy

B. No soul-winner in the New Testament told a lost person to invite Jesus into his heart or pray any kind of prayer

C. No soul is saved today by praying, but through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ

Are you resting in Christ and Him ALONE for your salvation?
If you are depending upon God saving you through PRAYER, rather than through believing on His SON, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

IV. SALVATION IS NOT IN GOOD WORKS;
IT IS IN THE GOSPEL

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

A. Good works are the anchor for lost people

• They are trusting in their good deeds
  • Church membership
  • Baptism
  • Doing good to their fellow man

B. The gospel is what saves people

• Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins
• His burial
• His resurrection the third day

C. The gift is received by FAITH

• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

D. Good works follow and are the FRUIT of salvation

Are you depending upon your good works to save you?

If you are depending upon your own works rather than upon Christ’s gospel to save you, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ today, who died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures!