Hebrews 7:25 – The Ultimate Salvation – Bible study

6. These six truths leave us in a terrible fix. We are sinful but too dull and deceitful to realize it so we continue to abide in sin and darkness! B. Yet, the ultimate salvation can reach us! 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Ro 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: C. The determination of whether salvation reaches us or not is not salations ability but our mans response. D. Hence, this salvation is able to save those who have lied, stolen, been disrepectful to parents, profaned the Lords name, disregarded the Lords Day, been filled with jealousy, rage, maliciousness, discontentment, pride, and/or envy. E. Not only is it capable but it has saved an unsavory group who have been guilty of adultery, fornation, false worship, no worship, self worship, fraud, robbery, abuse, neglect, endangerment, stupidity, lewdness, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, and child abuse. F. Down throught the centuries, the ultimate salvation has saved those who were demon oppressed, demon possessed, witches, warlocks, occult members, Satan worshippers; those who were murderers, serial killers, mass murderers, children killers, war cirminals; those who are pedifiles, prostitutes, pimps, homosexuals, stalkers. G. In short, as the ultimate salvation, it has rescued the upright who has been an asset to the community, the workplace, and the family, but it has also saved the likes of Ted Bundy, Saul of Tarsus, and Carl Hall of Green Pond. II. As the ultimate salvation, it carries us the uttermost end. A. Some associate the word uttermost with the word guttermost; and it does have a nice sound. However, the Scripture was speaking here of God saving us to the utter end. B. No one wants: 1. A toothpaste that needs to be reapplied before the job is done or a motor oil that may or may not hold up to the task. 2. The Bible is promising a salvation that needs only one application and will last until the very end. John 6:39 And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing 1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 2Timothy 1:12 For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. C. The Bible is promising the ultimate salvation which begins work immediately 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. and does not stop until we are recreated into the very image of God Himself. 1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. D. Those who believe that they can lose their salvation or somehow stop the work of God 1. Diminish the quality of Gods salvation. 2. Doubt the quantity of Gods love. 3. Dispute the qualifications of Gods ability. III. As the ultimate salvation, it produces the most radical change. A. Gods ultimate salvation offers a change to the believer that defies logic and human ability. Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 2Corinthians 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. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. B. It is that dynamic, permanent, and powerful change that baffles the unrightreous and quites the doubter. 1. Peter the denier 2. Paul the persecuter 3. I can look across this room and see those whose transformation has brought others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 4. Yet, there are also some who have resisted the power of Christ so much that others can not tell there is anything different about you. a. They do not sense Gods presence in your life. b. They can not observe Gods power in your life. 5. These two are evident when there is a radical change, but there does not have to be an outward radical change for the presence and power of God to be present. a. Perhaps you have always been a moral person, a clean person, an unright person. Good. b. But if you have been saved, you did not always have Gods presence and power. c. These come with salvation not with an outward radical change. d. But they also require walking with God, seeking God, loving God, putting God first. 6. This is the inward change which drives the radical outward change and is the most radical of all changes. IV. As the ultimate salvation, it opens the best opportunities. A. The ultimate salvation not only saves us, it offers to us the privilege of serving God. 2Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. 1Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. B. In an instant, we go from being enemies of God to being a part of His family and servants in His kingdom. 1. No matter if you are full-time, part-time, or volunteer; no matter if you are a bold preacher, a public teacher, or a quiet model of what was preached and taught you, you have many opportunities. 2. The common rank instantly conferred upon every Christian is the rank of witness. Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 3. But there is much more you can do. Psalm 84:10 I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. a. You can keep the door of Gods house (i.e. lock it, unlock it, open it for people to go through, guard it that evil does not enter through it, pass out bulletins, greet strangers.) b. But the Bible also says that God "gave gifts unto men." Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. c. What gifts? Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 1Cor 12:28 after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. d. In churches today, he also have brick layers, heating and cooling technicians, mchanics, electricians, carpenters, counselors, door knockers,plumbers, cooks, cleaners, carpet installers, dish washers, tract distrbuitors, shoppers, secretaries, accountants, lawyers, guards, sound and video techs, computer installers and repairers, and more. V. As the ultimate salvation, it grants the greatest of all prizes. A. Lets start with some of the here-and-now prizes. 1. Forgiveness 2. Power over sin 3. Fellowship with God 4. A new life with a new beginning 5. The indwelling of the Holy Ghost 6. The Word of God to convey the mind of God 7. The fellowship of the family of God B. Then we can start to consider the then-and-there prizes. 1. Heaven Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 2. Rewards 1Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 1Corinthians 3:14 If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 3. Glorified body 1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. 4. Family reunion 1Thess 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. After speaking for this length of time, giving this number of Bible verses, mentioning these many truths, I have not but sratched the surface of the salvation that God offers. It is the ultimate salvation. It can not be improved upon except by your acceptance of it. I pray that you will do just that today.