We are living in an age when knowledge is literally
exploding. There is more knowledge available at our fingertips
than any other time in our history. One thing all of this knowledge
has taught us, however, is, that nobody knows everything.
A census taker knocked on the door of an old backwoods
shack up in West Virginia. An old timer came to the door and asked
the man what he wanted. "The President has sent us across
the country to find out exactly how many people live in the United
States" the man said.
The hillbilly said, "Well I'm sorry you came all the
way out here to ask me because I ain't got the faintest idea."
There is much that we can know, and yet there is much that
we don’t know. However, there is one thing that everybody
ought to know, and that is the salvation that is of the Lord.
If you know everything else, but do not the salvation of
the Lord, you have lost it all.
The most important message in the Bible is the message
of salvation. Salvation is the reason Jesus came into the world.
Confusion about salvation means disaster. The message of
salvation is matter of eternal life or eternal death.
I want to look at three different salvation experiences
from the book of Acts and point out some vital truths about any
salvation.
Saul's salvation - Acts 9:1-5
Lydia's salvation - Acts 16:14,15
Philippian jailer's salvation - Acts
16: 23-34
I. The experience of salvation may be different
We don't all have the same experiences surrounding our salvation.
All are saved by grace, but the working of grace in our life oftentimes
is different. All are saved alike but not all that are saved are
alike. There is no difference; but there is a difference.
A. Saul's conversion was marked with clearness (Acts 9:1-5)
B. Lydia's conversion was marked with quietness (Acts 16:14,15)
C. Philippian jailer's conversion was marked by suddenness
(Acts 16: 23-34)
Saul was the tormented soul who was
converted
Lydia was the tender soul who was
converted
Jailer was a tough soul who was
converted
II. The essence of salvation must be divine
“Salvation is of the Lord”
Salvation is of the Lord in it's origination!
The plan of salvation is entirely of God. No human intellect
and no created intelligence assisted God in the planning of salvation.
It is a plan too splendid to have been the product of any mind
except of that mind which afterward carried it out.
Salvation is of the Lord in its execution!
God not only planned salvation, but He also provided the
means whereby He could justly accomplish it. The Lord Jesus Christ
provided sufficient atonement by His precious blood to put away
the sin of the world Salvation is of the Lord in it's application
Salvation is of the Lord in its duration!
Those whom have God's salvation are eternally secure in
Christ Jesus. They are kept by the power of God. To entertain
any idea that a man is saved one day, only to be lost on another
is to believe that salvation is of works, not of grace.
A convert gave their first testimony. Thrillingly and triumphantly
she said, “The Lord saved me through and through and for
Keeps.” Don’t you like that!
There are a few things that are fundamental to any salvation
experience. Though the a experience of salvation may differ, the
essence any salvation is the always same. Though the circumstance
around a salvation may differ, the substance of any salivation
is always the same. Though the situations of a salvation may differ,
the foundations of any salvation are always the same.
A. The light of God's Word is revealed
B. The life of God's Son is received
C. The love of God's Spirit is released
III. The evidence of conversion will be demonstrated
II Corinthians 5:17
• Here is a message which is inclusive - “any man”
• Here is a miracle which is creative “new creature”
During the mighty movements of the Holy Spirit in the Moody-Sankey
meetings in Dublin, the worldly father of C.T. Studd was gloriously
saved. He invited some of his worldly companions to come to his
home so that he could tell them the wonderful news. When one wealthy
English sportsman arrived at the railway station he was met by
the coachman. He could not wait till he got to the house to know
what had happened to his old friend, so he began to question the
coachman.
“I hear that something remarkable has happened to your
master. I hear he’s got religion. Please tell me about it.
In what way is Mr. Studd changed?”
“Oh,” said the Irish coachman, “It’s
a revolution. In one sense he is still the same man--he’s
in the same body. But the best way I can explain him is he’s
a new man in the old skin.”
The new creature receives a new set of appetites and a new
set of attitudes.
A. In Paul it was a changed purpose
B. In Lydia it was a changed pocket
C. In the jailer it was a changed person
Conclusion
Though the experience of salvation may be different, the
essence of salvation must be divine for us all, and the evidence
of conversion mandates a demonstration in all those who are saved.
Have you been saved? Have you repented and put your faith
in Jesus?