MORE THAN ONE SALVATION

Sunday Morning: March 14, 1999

Text: 1 Timothy 2:4 "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

It is God's will for all men to be saved because he made provision for every man to be save in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:9 "…Jesus, … by the grace of God should taste death for every man." He provides light for every man that comes into the world John 1:9 "… the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

After salvation His will is for spiritual growth and a deeper knowledge of the Word of God. The word knowledge is the Greek word ejpi>gnwsiv which knowledge upon knowledge. There is not a definite article before the word truth, so this is not a specific truth but the general knowledge of all the word of God.

MIGHT BE SAVED, NOT WILL

John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

The phrase "The world through him might be saved" clearly shows that not all are saved by the mire sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has given all of mankind the choice of receiving or rejecting the light that he receives about salvation.

SAVED FROM BONDAGE

Luke 1:71 "That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;"

There is more than one salvation in the Word of God. Being born from above is a spiritual salvation that puts those who do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in the body of Christ. The salvation in Luke 1:71 is the salvation or deliverance from the bondage of the Roman government.

PHYSICAL SALVATION

Matthew 8:25 "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." (boat was sinking)

Matthew 14:30 "But when he (Peter walking on water) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me."

Physical deliverance is also referred to a being saved. The Apostles were in danger of being drowned in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus calmed the sea and they were saved from drowning. Peter also was saved from drowning when he began to sink after a short walk on the water.

HEALING OF THE BODY

Luke 18:42 "And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

The receiving of sight was a healing that was referred to as being saved.

THE COMING OF THE LORD

Romans 13:11 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

The rapture of the church is also referred to as a salvation. The salvation in this verse is not spiritual salvation but a physical salvation when the church is taken to be with the Lord at the end of this dispensation.

THE COMMON SALVATION

Jude 1:3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

The common salvation is the salvation that all who are born from above and brought into the body of Christ experiences. This salvation is referenced in John 3:3 and in Acts 16:30,31.

DEAD IN SINS

Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:"

All have sinned and therefore all are dead in sin until spiritual life is provided through being born from above.

TELLING A DEAD MAN WHAT TO DO

Acts 16:30-31 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

This is the only place in the Bible that the word saved is in the question and saved is in the answer. There is no question what is being addressed. The Philippian jailer was dead in sin and he knew that he needed to be saved. Paul him what to do.

This salvation can not be lost. This salvation is from above and provided to those who accept it when they believe on Jesus Christ. The verb "believe" is in the aorist tense and indicates a one time event and not an ongoing salvation. Once one believes, there is no way that one can alter the spiritual DNA given to the new child of God. There is nothing we can do to maintain that salvation. It is given forever.

SO GREAT SALVATION, CAN BE LOST

Hebrews 2:3 "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" (if neglected)

There is a salvation that can be neglected and thus needs to be maintained. It is called "the so great salvation." This salvation is not the same as the common salvation. This is a salvation that those who have been saved need to nurture and not neglect. You can't neglect something that you don't have. This "so great salvation" is a salvation for the called and the elect in the body of Christ. This is found the in the following verse.

SALVATION OF THE ELECT

2 Timothy 2:10 "Therefore I endure all things for the (few) elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation (so great salvation) which is in Christ Jesus (in the family) with eternal [agelasting] glory."

The elect are a select group that is part of the called. The few that are elect are a part of the many that are called. Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." The calling is not to be saved, because Jesus Christ died for all sinners and therefore to try to apply this to a calling to be saved would be very inconsistent. This salvation is for those who are in the body of Christ , the saved. The aorist active subjunctive of "obtain" clearly implies the possibility of the elect not obtaining this salvation.

HEIRS OF SO GREAT SALVATION

Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits (angels), sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (heirs have to do with family)

This salvation pertains to the inheritance of those who are in the family. In the context of Hebrews 2:3 is Hebrews 1:14. Angels minister to those who are heirs to this so great salvation. Because this salvation is inherited it can be neglected. Esau is a prim example of one who neglected his birthright when he sold it. Hebrews 12:16 "… Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." The so great salvation is for those who are in the family and will be inherited or forfeited because of sin. You and I can sacrifice our future inheritance on the alter of the immediate gradification.

KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS

Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

In Hebrews 2:3 this so great salvation was being preached to the nation of Israel at the beginning of the Lord's ministry. He was offering an entrance into the kingdom of heaven to saved Israel. He was not going to a people that were not in the family of God. A change of life style was necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven, that is the reason he said "Repent."

John 3:3 "… Except a man be born again (common salvation), he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Being brought into the family of God would allow you to see the kingdom of heaven or God.

John 3:5 "… (allegory, Gal 4), Except a man be born of water (law) and of the Spirit (faith), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (so great salvation)

"Born of water and spirit" in John 3:5 is a reference to an allegory in Galatians 4. Being born of water or the flesh is a reference to the Jerusalem that now is and has to do with being just. Being born of the spirit is a reference to Jerusalem that is from above and has to do with living by faith. This allegory in Galatians 4 is dealing with where your inheritance will be. If you are saved and just you will have an earthly inheritance, but if you are saved, just and live by faith you will have an heavenly inheritance. There is a tracts available called "John 3:5 Check It Out".

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN INHERITED

Matthew 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto (the sheep) Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"

This verse is a reference to the sheep that are blessed of the Father and that will inherit the kingdom of heaven. These sheep are those who minister the Lord by ministering to the brethren. Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints (brethren who have repented), and do minister." These sheep are referred to in John 10:27-28 "My sheep hear [present active] my voice, and I know [present active] them, and they follow [present active] me: 28. And I give [present active] unto them eternal [age, or kingdom] life; …"

WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? (verse 25)

Matthew 19:16-25 "… behold, one (young man v 20) came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have (inherit Mark 10:17, Luke 18:18) eternal [age, kingdom] life?

The "one" that came to Jesus to ask about what he would have to do to have eternal or kingdom life he is called "young man" in verse 20. This I believe gives us a clue to the spiritual maturity of this man. This is the first occurrence of this Greek word. This Greek word is also found in 1 John 2:14 "… I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." John was not writing to young men in general but to young men who had these spiritual qualities. This "one" who came and ask Jesus what he should do to have or inherit agelasting (kingdom) life was not a novice, in other words he was a saved Jew responding to the Lord ministry and message about the Kingdom of Heaven.

BE JUST

17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into (agelasting, kingdom) life, keep the commandments (be just).

To have or to inherit eternal (kingdom) life is to enter the kingdom and not just see the kingdom of God as in John 3:3. The word life is a reference to the kingdom of God, verse 24.

BE OBEDIENT TO THE LAW

18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

This man was just in that he had kept the commands like Zacharias,and Elizabeth in Luke 1:6 "And they were both righteous (just) before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." This young man was obedient to the law.

IF HE HAD BEEN UNJUST

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Know ye not that the unrighteous (unjust) shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

These sins of the flesh will disqualify you from having an entrance into the Kingdom of Heave. Look in Ephesians 5:3-5; Galatians 5:19-21 for further works of the flesh.

I HAVE KEPT THE LAW, HE WAS JUST

20. The young man (1 John 2:14) saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

WHAT HE LACKED

21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect [complete], go and sell that thou hast (live by faith), and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

For this young man to sell all and give to the poor was the first step to living by faith. Faith is the ingredient that makes it possible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: …"

Galatians 3:11 "But that no man is justified by the law …, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

NOT WILLING TO TRUST THE LORD

22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

1 Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" 1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." Many believe that "They may lay hold on eternal life" is not in the verse. It is in verse 1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called …" Since a rich man has a hard time with faith or the good fighting faith, Paul tells them how they can lay hold upon the kingdom life.

COST WAS TO HIGH

23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Luke 6:24 "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation."

WHO THEN CAN INHERIT

25. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?"

Entrance into the kingdom of our Lord is referred to as being saved.

THE APOSTLES

Matthew 19:27-29 "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

The apostles had forsaken all and followed the Lord. They had and were willing to pay the price. Peter says, "what shall we have therefore?"

HERE'S WHAT YOU GET

28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

To enter the kingdom of heaven is to rule and reign. The apostles would rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. Entrance into the kingdom of heaven is based upon being faithful over little. Luke 19:17 "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

INHERIT KINGDOM LIFE

29. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

This verse confirms that we inherit kingdom life. We have already had the verse in Matthew 25:34 "…Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" We have already had the verses that tell house we will not inherit the kingdom or enter into kingdom life. Ref. 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:21

MANY ARE CALLED

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

This verse is not a verse that refers to a calling to the common salvation. Every man that comes into the world can come into the common salvation, so the invitation is to all of mankind. It is a calling one receives after one has been saved.

SAVED THEN CALLED

2 Timothy 1:9 "Who (God, defined as the Father in 1:2) hath saved (common salvation) us, and called (the many) us with an holy calling (so great salvation), not according to our works, but according to his (God the Father) own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

It is God the Father who calls the saved to this so great salvation, and that calling is according to his own purpose and grace. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ it is God the Father who begets us from above and according to 1 Peter 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father …, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope (of kingdom life) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. To an inheritance (kingdom life) incorruptible…" For the Father to have begotten us again he had to beget us the first time, and that was unto the common salvation which is a new beginning. The "begotten again" is a new beginning unto a living hope of eternal life which is the inheritance of the elect. Peter is writing to the "few" who are the elect, verse 2.

CALLED TO HIS KINGDOM

1 Thessalonians 2:12 "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his (agelasting) kingdom and glory."

The calling is unto the kingdom and glory or our Lord Jesus Christ. Out entrance into that kingdom is based upon a worthy walk. We can't walk in the flesh and expect to enter into the coming kingdom and glory of Jesus Christ.

WARNING AND TEACHING

Colossians 1:27-29 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28. Whom we preach, warning every (saved) man, and teaching every (saved) man in all wisdom (to be just and to live by faith); that we may present every (saved) man (that has been called unto his kingdom and glory) perfect (as was offered to the young man in Matthew 19) in Christ Jesus (to have treasure in heaven): 29. Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

"Perfect in Christ Jesus" implies that not every save person in Christ is perfect or complete. The Lord told the young man what to do to enter the kingdom of heaven and that takes being perfect or complete. By being just the young man was not compete or perfect, he had to live by faith and his riches were hindering this part of his life that would qualify him to enter the kingdom of heaven. Because not everyone is prepared or is preparing themselves to enter into the coming kingdom and glory of Jesus Christ, it takes warning and teaching believers, with wisdom (walking in wisdom toward them that have not been called) to present the children of God that have been called.

The glory and inheritance is not a sure thing that is the reason it is a living hope made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:4. Eternal (or kingdom) life is shown as a hope in Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" The passage in Colossians 1:29 indicates it is Christ in us the hope of glory.

IS YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE?

2 Peter 1:10-11 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting [agelasting] kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Because the hope of our inheritance in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ is not a sure thing we need to give diligence to make it a sure thing. To have an abundant entrance into the coming kingdom we need to give all diligence to add to our faith (pleasing God) ….

THINGS WE NEED TO ADD

2 Peter 1:5-7 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue (moral excelence) knowledge; 6. And to knowledge (over all knowledge of the Word of God) temperance; and to temperance (self control) patience; and to patience (endurance, not fainting) godliness; 7. And to godliness (personal purity and holiness) brotherly kindness (this is love for the brother seeking to do the will of the Father}; and to brotherly kindness charity (this is love. Love of the Lord. Love of your neighbor)."

FRUITFUL IN THE EXACT KNOWLEDGE

2 Peter 1:8 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge (ejpi>gnwsiv) of our Lord Jesus Christ."

It is the ejpi>gnwsiv that provides with the grace needed to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 2 Peter 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge (ejpi>gnwsiv) of God, and of Jesus our Lord," Hebrews 12:28 "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have [may we have] grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"