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Matthew. 19:16-26
We invite you to worship with us each Sunday morning at 9:30. Our focal passage today is a rich resource for many sermons and lessons. I want to focus on verses 25 and 26 to see that the NT teaches very clearly that our salvation begins and ends with God. The power of salvation is the power of God. Since that is truth, why are so many who call themselves Christians not examples of that power? Let’s consider
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- THE POWER OF SALVATION TAUGHT BY ITS AUTHOR! When the disciples hear Jesus’ statement about salvation, they are stunned! Their response in verse 25 proves that. One writer says that Jesus gives us two major truths we must know as fundamental and conservative Christians. First, He teaches that there never has been, nor will there ever be any power given to man that allows man to save, justify, or make themselves righteous in God’s sight. Second, such power required to redeem a human being begins in the omnipotence of God and must always originate there to maintain salvation. Those two truths are clearly taught throughout the NT. Jesus’ illustration of a camel going through the eye of a needle is a literal illustration suggestion that it is easier for God, through His omnipotence, to make that happen than it is for a rich man to get into heaven on his own. God alone has the power to change a person’s heart from trusting in earthly works or materials for salvation, to trusting in the finished work of redemption of Jesus Christ. Notice also
- THE POWER OF SALVATION TAUGHT BY THE APOSTLES! Read Romans 8:1-8. Paul constantly verifies Jesus’ teachings. Focus on verse 7 and see that a sinful (unredeemed) mind is hostile toward God, therefore, doesn’t, can’t submit to the law of God. Notice also how Scripture teaches at least two reasons why this is true. If a person is hostile toward God they certainly are not going to submit to His laws. Check out 1Cor. 15:56. In this passage and the Romans passage Paul is teaching that keeping the Law doesn’t have the power to save because all the Law does is reveal how sinful a person is, and, how much they need a Savior. Rom. 7:7-13 and Gal. 4;19-25 teach the same principle. The Apostles learned that Jesus was God, therefore, He had the power to save. Paul makes that truth clear in Rom. 1:16 and 1Cor. 1:18. Finally, consider
- THE POWER OF SALVATION TOWARD THE AMBASSADORS. Read James 1:21. To all the Apostles Jesus word was much more than just teaching, or principles, or review of the Law, or parables. They understood, as must we, that when He spoke God was speaking; therefore, all that Jesus said was “thus saith the Lord!” James caught that truth and in this verse telling us the Word of God is the Power of God that provides salvation. Dear Christians reader – is that the way you see the Word of God? God’s Word gives us everything we need to share in God’s nature. Think about that for a moment!
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