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Scripture Reading: Psalm 106:1-12

Salvation is on the Other Side of the Water

Intro.

1.  Rom. 5:1-2: Two historic errors about God’s grace and our salvation:

  a.  Saved by grace only (without personal responsibility): “It is absurd to believe that God’s grace could be linked to anything like baptism.”

     {Illus: I build a house (my $, time & effort) & offer it to you, but you must be baptized in water to receive my gift...Would You?}

  b.  Personal responsibility emphasized to the neglect of God’s grace (forget absolute helplessness without Christ) (Lk. 17:10).

2.  A consistent, guiding principle in God’s dealings with mankind: Faith coupled with obedience brings salvation by grace, Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-12; Heb. 5:8-9.

3.  Historic examples demonstrate important Bible truths:

  a.  God’s grace does not rule out instructions & our precise obedience.

  b.  Good works without God's grace can never save. (Rom. 3:23)

4.  God often used water to grant man salva­tion by grace through faith: Salvation is on the other side of the water!

 

I.  NOAH AND THE FLOOD.

  A.  God’s Grace Saved Noah, Gen. 6:5-8.

  B.  Noah’s Personal Responsibility Required, 6:13-21:

    1.  God's grace included instructions & strict obedience by Noah!

    2.  Noah's obedience, 6:22; 7:5.

  C.  Noah’s Obedient Faith was the Means through which God Granted His Grace, Heb. 11:7.

    1.  Action of faith secured God’s grace (Gen. 7:1).

    2.  New world (salvation) was on other side of water! 1 Pet. 3:20

 

II. ISRAEL AT THE RED SEA, Exo. 14:10-14.

  A.  God’s Grace Saved Israel, Exo. 14:30; Psa. 106:6-12.

  B.  Israel’s Responsibility Required, Exo. 14:15-16, 26.

    1.  Moses: Lift rod, etc., 14:16, 21, 26.

    2.  Israel: “Go forward,” went, 14:15, 22.

  C.  Israel’s Obedient Faith was the Means through which God Granted His Grace, Heb. 11:29.

    1.  Instructions given - Obedience required. (Faith in action)

    2.  Deliverance (salvation) was on the other side of the water!

 

III. NAAMAN AND HIS LEPROSY, 2 Kgs. 5:1-14.

  A.  God’s Grace Cleansed Naaman, cf. Lk. 4:27; 2 Kgs. 5:15.

  B.  Naaman’s Personal Responsibility Required, 5:9-14.

    1.  Instructions given, 5:10.

    2.  Rejected instruction - Not healed, 5:11-12.

    3.  Personal responsibility met (obeyed) – Healed, 5:13-14.

  C.  Naaman’s Obedient Faith was the Means through which God Granted His Grace, 5:10, 14.

    1.  Instructions - Obedience - Healing.

    2.  Healing (salvation) was on the other side of the water!

 

IV. THE MAN BORN BLIND, Jno. 9:1-7.

  A.  God’s Grace Gave Him His Sight.

    1.  Works of God, 9:3-4.

    2.  Jesus healed him, 9:14-15 (17), 21, 26, 30.

  B.  Man’s Personal Responsibility Required, 9:7.

    1.  Go...wash...in pool of Siloam (Sent).

    2.  When he obeyed, he was healed (9:10-11).

  C.  Man’s Obedient Faith was the Means through which God Granted His Grace, cf. 9:15, 25.

    1.  Was blind…Now see --- When he trusted Jesus & did what he said.

    2.  Specific instructions given & obeyed.

    3.  Sight (salvation) was on other side of water!

 

V.  THE SINNER AND HIS SALVATION TODAY, Rom. 3:23-26.

  A.  God’s Grace Saves Man from Sin, Eph. 2:5, 8 (“gift of God” is salvation). (Eph. 1:7)

  B.  Our Personal Responsibility is Required in Order to Receive it, Eph. 2:8; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21. (Faith, Rom. 3:26)

  C.  Our Obedient Faith is the Means through which God Grants His Grace.

    1.  Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21. (Rom. 6:3-4)

    2.  Salvation is on the other side of the water!

 

Conclusion

1.  No conflict between salvation by grace & the personal responsibility of obedient faith to obey the commands of God.  (Lk. 17:10)

2.  Remember:  God's grace saves as we meet our personal responsibility to obey the word of Christ.

3.  Hear, believe, confess faith, repent of sins and be baptized: Saved -- Be faithful to Jesus.  Acts 2:38, 41-42