STUCK! Ten Areas That Will Bury You as a Believer and How to Dig Your Way Out! (Area #1: Salvation)

We are beginning a new series of sermons at Crossroads Fellowship Church where I am serving as part-time interim preaching pastor.  These posts (probably about ten or so in number) will allow me to think through the subjects that often seem to slow down or even halt the Jesus-follower in his or her life of faith.

The first area that sometimes sinks the believer is that of SALVATION.  One would think that “being saved” is a simple concept readily understandable.

However, I’m convinced that many Jesus-followers are actually trying to “pay God back” for their salvation, instead of living in the joy of having their sins forgiven.  Here’s the main passage I will be preaching on this Sunday:

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3)

Please notice —

First, our BC (“Before Christ”) condition:  We were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (v. 3).  I call these the awful adjectives describing our spiritual state before conversion.  We then see our abominable actions also in verse 3:  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  Wow!  We did not merit God’s love or forgiveness.  (to be continued)