I. Apart from Christ, we are helpless and sinful.
A. We are all sinners.
1. We are all born in sin.
Ps. 51:5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
2. We all, like sheep, have gone astray.
Isa. 53:6. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
3. All have sinned through Adam.
Rom. 5:12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Rom. 5:19. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
4. Jews and Gentiles alike are sinners.
Rom. 3:9–12. What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Rom. 3:22–24. Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
5. We are like lost sheep whom Jesus goes out to seek.
Luke 15:3–7.
6. We are like the prodigal son.
Luke 15:11–24.
7. Even our righteous acts are as filthy rags.
Isa. 64:6. But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
B. We are in spiritual bondage.
1. By nature all are in sin’s bondage. Christ sets us free.
John 8:31–36.
John 8:34–36. Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
2. To continue to live in sin is bondage.
2 Peter 2:19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
3. Jesus sets us free.
Rom. 6:16–18. Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
C. We are alienated from God.
1. Outside of Christ we are at odds with God.
Col. 1:21–22. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
2. Without Christ we are without hope.
Eph. 2:12–13. That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
D. Knowledge of sin comes by the law of God.
1. Through knowledge of the law we become conscious of sin.
Rom. 3:20. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
2. The law helps us understand sin.
Rom. 7:7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
3. Jesus gave us his summary of the law.
Matt. 22:37–40. Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
4. God has given us the Ten Commandments.
Exod. 20:1–17.
E. God in his justice punishes sinners.
1. God first revealed his justice to Adam.
Gen. 2:16–17. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
2. The result of sin is death.
Rom. 5:12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Rom. 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. By nature we are all under the curse of God.
Gal. 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
F. We cannot save ourselves in any way.
1. By nature we are at enmity with God.
Rom. 8:7–8. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
2. By nature we are dead in sin and are objects of God’s wrath.
Eph. 2:1–5. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
3. We are saved only by grace, through faith.
Eph. 2:8–9. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
4. God saves us through a rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:4–7. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
II. Jesus saves us by grace, through faith.
A. Jesus suffered and died for sinners; those who believe in him will be saved.
1. Isaiah depicts the suffering servant of Jehovah.
Isa. 53:1–11.
Isa. 53:4–6. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
2. All who receive Christ by faith are saved.
John 1:12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
3. As was prophesied, God gave his only Son so that those who believe in him may have eternal life.
John 3:14–16. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
4. Jesus died for his sheep.
John 10:11, 14–15. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
5. His sheep hear Jesus’ voice and follow him and receive eternal life.
John 10:27–28. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
6. We are redeemed through the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18–19. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
7. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.
Eph. 5:25–27. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
8. Jesus is the only mediator.
1 Tim. 2:5–6. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
9. Christ died for undeserving sinners, for many gracious purposes.
Rom. 5:8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Phil. 2:8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
2 Cor. 5:21. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
John 1:29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
1 John 4:9–10. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Gal. 3:13. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).
1 Peter 2:24. Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
1 Peter 3:18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.
Eph. 5:25–27. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Heb. 9:14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
10. We are forgiven, justified, and cleared of all guilt and condemnation by faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom. 3:21–24. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Rom. 5:1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Rom. 10:9–13. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
B. Examples of those saved by grace, through faith.
1. Levi, the tax collector.
Luke 5:27–32.
2. Zacchaeus, the tax collector.
Luke 19:9–10. And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
3. The penitent woman who wept at Jesus’ feet.
Luke 7:48, 50. Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
4. Many notorious sinners represented in Jesus’ parables.
Luke 15:3–7. (parable of the lost sheep)
Luke 15:8–10. (parable of the lost coin)
Luke 15:11–31. (parable of the prodigal son)
5. The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
John 4:1–26.
6. The murderer on the cross.
Luke 23:39–43.
Luke 23:43. And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
7. Saul, the persecutor of the church, who became Paul, the great missionary.
Acts 9:1–19. (Paul’s conversion)
1 Tim. 1:13–16. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
8. The Philippian jailer.
Acts 16:25–26.
Acts 16:30–31. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
III. The Lord calls sinners like you and me.
1. God calls those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty.
Isa. 55:1–3. “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.
2. Jesus is the bread of life and the living water, and he calls sinners to come to him.
John 6:35. And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 7:37–38. On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Rev. 22:17. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
3. Jesus calls those who are weary and burdened.
Matt. 11:28–30. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
4. He calls us to enter through the narrow gate.
Matt. 7:13–14. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
5. He calls us to repent and believe the gospel.
Mark 1:14–15. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
6. Seek the Lord while he may be found.
Isa. 55:6–7. Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
7. Today, if you hear his voice, don’t harden your heart.
Heb. 3:7–19.
8. The Lord will never turn a sinner away.
John 6:37. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
Rom. 10:13. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
IV. We are saved to joyfully obey and serve the Lord.
1. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice unto God.
Rom. 12:1–2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2. We are saved to bear much fruit, through Jesus Christ, the vine.
John 15:1–8.
John 15:8. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
3. We are saved to be dead to sin, alive to God, and slaves to righteousness.
Rom. 6:1–23.
4. We are called to live a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rom. 8:1–14.
Eph. 5:1–21.
5. The Holy Spirit helps us to bear fruit.
Gal. 5:13–26.
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