SALVATION’S REST

               Sept.5, 2004

Intro: Matt.11:28-30- a wonderful passage where

Jesus invites men & women to come to Him.

I. MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING TODAY FOR A

SALVATION ONLY TO EXPERIENCE TOTAL FAILURE.

They’re convinced heaven is obtained by good works.

         Why would these earnest people fail?

 1)Due to inferior works- Isa.64:6; Rom.3:10;

 

 2) Due to constant setbacks- James 2:10—the law

    is like a chain—only strong is all is observed!

 

 3) When motives are examined honestly-

  Matt.23:25-26—right action, wrong motive-

  People use good works to win admiration of others.

II. SOME ENJOY SALVATION’S RST BECAUSE THEY

HAVE CEASED FROM THEIR ATTEMPTS AT A

WORKS-SALVATION AND HAVE TRUSTED THE

WORK OF CHRIST.

 1) They believe Christ died for them as sinners-

  Rom.5:6,8;  I Peter 2:24

 

 2) They believe God is satisfied to accept Christ as

   their substitute- II Cor. 5:19-21  “It is finished”

 

 3)Having no work of right., they rest on the mercy

   of God shown to believing sinners- Eph.2:8-9

 

 4)These, who believe on Christ unto salvation, do

   good works because they’re forgiven, not in order

   to obtain salvation-  Eph.2:10   Rom. 12:1-2

III.SOME DO EXHAUST THEIR WORKS FOR

SALVATION BEFORE COMING TO CHRIST FOR

 REST.

  1) People experience a self-deception of “doing

   more”—asceticism  and legalism

   II Tim.3:5 and Matt. 7:21