Salvation is not an event but a process.
Our walk with Christ as our guide is like a mountain hike from trailhead to summit. There are many steps along the way and challenges to be overcome, yet we are assured of success if we stay on the path and follow our guide, our elder brother who sets the pace for us. Salvation is a process, that begins when we commit to walking in covenant with our Creator and our heavenly Father. These sermons explore the many facets of this exciting spiritual journey.
Vision of Eternal Life 1
The ancient Egyptians had amazing rituals associated with life after death and the hurdles they believed they had to magically overcome. Jeff Patton contrasts the mythology of the Egyptians with the reality of the scriptures and encourages believers to hold fast to the hope of eternal life. Salvation begins with this hope and a vision for the future.
Trailhead of Repentance 2
Jesus saves, but how does He save? What is the process that leads to salvation – Eternal life? Let’s examine the scriptures to document this journey with God from the trail head to the spiritual summit. Repentance is the first step at the trailhead that prepares us for the journey of a lifetime. So what is repentance?
Spirit of Repentance 3
Are there many paths to salvation, to eternal life? The scripture talks about the one narrow gate and the narrow path that lead to salvation in God’s Kingdom. Jesus counsels us to enter by the narrow gate, so we avoid destruction — the loss of what should have been or could have been! How do we walk in a spirit of repentance so we might inherit eternal life.
Baptism and Change 4
It is not enough to repent and have a change of heart, as those who are entering into a covenant with God must also be baptized. What does baptism involve and why is it required? Let the scriptures answer the questions about this important step on the path to Salvation.
Born Again? 5
What does it mean to be born again? When and how are we “born again”? What was the message that Jesus delivered to Nicodemus? And how did it change Nicodemus’ life? Find the answers to these questions as this knowledge is vital for every Christian. Understand how being “born again” is your new beginning on the path to Salvation.
Is it enough to believe in Jesus and be baptized? Is salvation merely a matter of confessing your faith? Or is there work to be done? Christians need to understand the doctrine of ‘going on to perfection.’ An important facet of the process of salvation is the growth of each child of God into spiritual maturity — perfection. So are we growing?
Reaching the Summit 7
Spiritual salvation is a process, a daily walk with Christ that takes us on a climb to the spiritual summit of eternal life. What are the key steps along the way as we strive for our “teleos” the end goal. This vision of reaching the summit and attaining to the resurrection to eternal life in the Kingdom of our Father becomes the motivating force in our upward journey.
Resurrection to Eternal Life 8
We do not already have eternal life as immortal souls, for then there would be no need for a resurrection! We know that the hope of eternal life is the goal of salvation, so what does the bible say about the nature of those who are resurrected? Consider Paul’s explanation of this great spiritual mystery of immortal life.