THE VICTORY OF MAN AGAINST SIN

TEXT: EPHESIANS 2:8-9
AIM: Man is victorious against sin because of Jesus’ wondrous act on the cross


INTRO:
Salvation has a variety of meaning. It may refer to deliverance or preservation from disease, dangers, sufferings, death and the consequences of wrongdoing (Exod 14:30; Judg 2:11-16; Ps 34:6; 37:40; Jer 4:14; 17:14).

MESSAGE:

I. SALVATION AS VIEWED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. A warrior, king, national leader (Judg 3:9; 2 Kings 13:5)
B. A savior, a God (1 Sam 14:23; Isa 33:22; 43:3,11,15; Hab 3:18).

II. SALVATION AS VIEWED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
A. Same broad meaning as in OT (Acts 27:20,43; 2 Cor 1:10; 2 Thess 3:2; 2 Peter 2:9)
B. Deliverance from sin and its consequences.

III. WHAT SALVATION REALLY IS
A. It comes from God through Jesus (Matt 1:21; Luke 2:11; 19:10; John 3:17; 12:47; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 1:15)
B. Jesus’ atonement on the cross (1 Cor 1:18; Titus 2:14).

IV. WHAT THIS KIND OF SALVATION MEANT
A. Likened to a judge who declares believers righteous and acquits them (Rom 3:26; 8:33).
B. Likened to slavery, where believers are freed from the bondage of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19

V. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE SAVED  
A. God gives life to those who are spiritually dead (1 Peter 1:23)
C. We become God’ adoptive children (Rom 8:15).
D. From being enemies of God, we became his friends (Rom 5:10-11).
E. Sacrificial offering wherein a sacrificial victim dies in place of the sinner (Heb 9:26)
F. God’s anger is turned away against sin (Rom 3:25). .

VI. HOW DO WE ATTAIN SALVATION
A. Solely by God’s grace, and receiving it through faith and repentance (Acts 5:31; 16:30-31; 20:21; 1 Cor 1:21; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-7).

CONCLUSION:

There are past, present and future aspects of salvation.

1. The past aspect is that believers already have been saved because of Christ’s death for them. Our sin has been dealt with, they are no longer under condemnation, and they have the assurance of eternal life (John 5:24; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:1,8).

2. The present aspect is that believers continue to experience the saving power of God in victory over sin in our daily lives (1 Cor 1:18; Phil 2:12; 2 Tim 1:8-9).

3. The future aspect is that believers will experience the fulfilment of their salvation at the return of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:24; 13:11; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess 5:9; Heb 9:28; 1 Peter 1:5;).

CHALLENGE:
We are triumphant against sin because Jesus atoned for our sins on the cross. Let us therefore maintain living in God’s grace and continue our faith and leave our past behind.