Acts 2:21 GOD'S PRECIOUS PLAN OF SALVATION
Intro: Ill. On the Day of Pentecost, Simon Peter stood up before a crowd
of Jews from around the world and proclaimed a message that literally changed the lives of
3,000 men that day. It is also a message that has continue to reverberate down the halls
of time and is as fresh today as it was 2,000 years ago when it was first delivered. The
message Peter preached that day was God's precious plan of Salvation. In just a few
verses, Peter was able, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to declare the message that can
change the life of everyone who hears it and receives it. It is a message that has not
changed, nor lost its power. It is a message that still brings hope to the hopeless, life
to those dead in sin and forgiveness to those struggling under the burden of their sins.
Today, I would like to share this message with you once again. I want to preach for awhile
on God's Precious Plan Of Salvation.
Maybe you have heard this message before and when you did, you received
it and believed and were saved. Maybe you heard it and refused it then, but will be ready
to receive it today. Perhaps you have never heard it. As striking a thought as that is,
there are men and women in this area who have never heard God's Precious Plan of
Salvation. Oh, they have heard the meanderings of some socially motivated minister. They
have heard the drivel dispensed by many denominations. They have heard some list of do's
and don't's, and they have tried to keep it! But, these have never heard God's Precious
Plan Of Salvation. I want you to know this morning that it is His plan. It is not my plan,
not a Baptist plan, not some plan manufactured in this desolate thing I call a mind. No
no! It is a plan that is as old as God Himself, but one that is a fresh as the new day. It
is a plan that you need to hear and a plan about which you must make a decision. It is
this plan, God's Precious Plan Of Salvation which occupies my mind this morning. It is
that plan that I long to share with you. Please look with me at our text today and let's
hear again God's Precious Plan Of Salvation.
I. THE SCOPE OF GOD'S PLAN
A. Many things in life are exclusive. There are exclusive clubs, golf
courses, restaurants, etc. Yet, when the God of the universe designed a plan of salvation,
He made it perfectly inclusive! When we think of this plan of salvation, and I will give
you the details concerning just what it is in a moment, we may wonder, "Who will this
work for?" The answer is at once simple and striking. You see, is God's economy,
anyone can be saved!
(Ill. He will save a dying thief, (Luke 23); A sin-stained woman, (John
4); A ruthless, ungodly tax collector, (Luke 19); Some innocent little children, (Matthew
18); A brutal Roman Centurion, (John 19); A self-righteous Pharisee named Paul, (Acts 9);
A demon possessed man, (Mark 5); A demon possessed slave girl, (Acts 16); A wealthy female
merchant, (Acts 16); and He will save you too!)
B. The truth of this matter is that "whosoever" can be saved!
The Bible expands on this theme in a myriad of places. Some that are especially noteworthy
are these, Rev. 22:17; John 3:16; John 6:37; John 7:37; Isa. 55:1). These verses are
sufficient to prove the case that God's plan of salvation is available to anyone who needs
it. (Ill That includes everyone - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; Rom. 3:10...Even you!)
C. The question that must be posed to you this morning is this,
"Have you availed yourself of this Precious Plan Of Salvation?" It is open for
you. Are you open to it? Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? If not, please know that
God's Plan Of Salvation is Precious because of its scope. It includes everyone under its
canopy. It is precious for that reason.
I. The Scope Of God's Plan
II. THE SIMPLICITY OF GOD'S PLAN
A. As Peter continued to preach, he promised that those who would simply
"call on the name of the Lord" would be saved! I don't know about you, but I not
only want to know who it will work for, but I also want to know how it is accomplished. It
is one thing to know that I can be saved, and another altogether to understand how I can
be saved. Thankfully, the Bible tells us exactly how.
B. When Peter delivered his message, he stated that it was a simple as
"calling on the name of the Lord." The Bible makes that clear in other passages
as well, Rom. 10:13; Joel 2:32. But, what does it mean to call on the Lord? Am I to stand
around calling out on the Lord's name? No! This refers to the cal of faith. To be saved, a
person must be aware of some very important things.
1. They Must Know That They Are Sinners - Rom. 3:23;
John 6:44.
2. They Must Know That There Is A Price On Sin - Rom.
6:23; Rom. 5:12.
3. They Must Know That Jesus Paid That Price For Them -
Rom. 5:6-8.
4. They Must Understand The Truth Of The Gospel -
(Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead), and they mist be willing to confess that
back to God - Rom. 10:9-10.
5. They Must Be Willing To Ask The Lord To Save Their Soul
- (Rom. 10:13)
C. That may sound difficult, but Jesus Christ was able to sum up the
Gospel for us in one very easy to understand passage, John 3:1-18. In these verses, Jesus
tells us that salvation is obtained by simple believe. That is, we come to the place where
we are willing to trust Jesus and Jesus alone for the salvation of our souls. We turn from
good works, from religion, from church membership and we realize that salvation is by
grace and faith alone, Eph. 2:8-9. In my mind, nothing could be easier! (Ill. Other
passages where Jesus made it simple - John 6:47, John 5:24; John 6:40; 1 John 5:12.)
(Ill. Salvation is simple, all it requires is that you receive the
Gospel message and that you receive Jesus into your life. However, there is one thing
easier than getting saved and that is going to Hell. To go to Hell, you have to do
absolutely nothing! After all, you are headed there when you are born into this world and
the only way to avoid Hell is to come to Jesus. Which will it be for you? Heaven or Hell!)
I. The Scope Of God's Plan
II. The Simplicity Of God's Plan
III. THE SUBSTANCE OF GOD'S PLAN
(Ill. We have discovered that God's plan is for all men and that it is a
simple plan that anyone can believe. Now we need to consider what this plan will do for
you when it is received.)
A. Peter sums up the benefits of salvation in 3 words, "shall be
saved." But, what does it mean to be saved? Saved from what? Saved to what? What does
saved mean anyway? Saved is one of those words that Christians use to describe that which
they have received from the Lord. If you are lost, it may be a strange word to you. This
morning, I hope to clear things up just a little.
B. The word "saved" literally means to "rescue from all
harm and danger; to keep safe and sound: to deliver; to save. It is a word that is special
to every child of God who has experienced salvation. When we say that we are saved, we are
saying a mouthful. It may be helpful at this point for us to consider just what some of
the benefits of salvation are for the saints of God.
C. Here is what being saved does for you:
1. Salvation brings deliverance from the wrath of God -
John 3:36; Rom. 5:9. (Ill. This also mean deliverance from Hell!)
2. Salvation brings forgiveness of sins - Col. 2:13;
Eph. 4:32. (Ill. It produces a perfectly clean life! Does the Christian still sin? Sure!
But, the saved person's sins are no longer imputed to him. When we come to Jesus, we are
cleansed and declared righteous by the Heavenly Father. Our sins were imputed to Him on
the cross, 2 Cor. 5:21, and His righteousness is imputed to us at salvation - 1 Cor.
6:9-11.
3. Salvation brings absolute security - John 10:28;
Heb. 7:25.
4. Salvation brings the promise of Heaven - John
14:1-3; 1 Cor. 2:9.
5. Salvation brings about a changed life - 2 Cor. 5:17.
6. Ill. There are dozens of other things that come our way when we are
saved. Such as, we become the children of God, 1 John 3:2. We become the heirs of God,
Rom. 8:17. We become the servants of God, 1 Cor. 6:19-20. We become salt and light in the
world, Matt. 5:13-16. And the list could go on forever.
D. It is plain to me that giving being saved is the greatest blessing
that any dirty, lowdown, wretched sinner can ever receive from the hand of God. What about
you? Have you become a partaker of God's perfect plan?
I. The Scope Of God's Plan
II. The Simplicity Of God's Plan
III. The Substance Of God's Plan
IV. THE STIMULUS OF GOD'S PLAN
(Ill. What brought about this wonderful plan of salvation? What was the
event that enables God to offer this precious plan to fallen men? The answer is found in
the next part of Peter's message.)
A. In the words of Peter, this plan of salvation came about because a
man maned Jesus Christ went to an old rugged cross and died between Heaven and earth to
pay the sin debt of the entire world. He died for you on the cross and according to the
Bible, He got up the third day and He still lives to save the lost this morning.
B. My friends, this is the crux of the Gospel. Its power lies in the
fact that Jesus Christ shed His innocent blood to pay for sin and then He arose from the
dead to offer eternal life to all who will receive Him by faith. That is the Gospel and
that is what will save the human soul. That and nothing else, John 14:6. (Ill. The
preaching of the cross may be foolishness to a pagan world, but it is the power of God to
those who have experienced it - 1 Cor. 1:18.)
C. You can believe anything you wish this morning, but if you want to be
saved, there is only one way to get it. It is available only through the blood of the Lord
Jesus Christ. When you place your faith in His death, burial and resurrection, then and
only then can you be confident that you will miss Hell and go to Heaven.
Conc: 2,000 years ago, Peter preached this same Gospel to a crowd and
3,000 were saved. I wonder if there is one, or maybe two or three here today who need to
come to Jesus and be saved? You're tired of sin. You're tired of fighting against the
Lord. You're tired of worrying about where you will spend eternity. Why not come to Jesus
this morning and receive Him into your life and be saved? His plan is a precious plan and
it is available to everyone who needs it this morning. If you will come to Jesus He will
save you right now. Are you saved? Are you sure you are saved? You had better be! Nothing
else is more important than the condition of your soul, Mark 8:36-37.
