Now, turn again in your Bible
to what we read earlier, Acts chapter 19. Notice verse 21, Acts 19, 21. It says, After these things were
ended, Paul purposed. After these things. What things? After these things. After Paul
had preached, Two years there in Ephesus, if you notice back
to verse 10. Verse 10 says, "...by a space
of two years, so that all that dwelt in Asia heard the word
of the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul stood there and preached for
two years. And after these things, two years
of solid gospel preaching, it's interesting to note He says in
1 Corinthians 15, 32, speaking back of those days in Ephesus,
he said that he fought with the beasts there at Ephesus, these
ungodly, reprobate idolaters. But after two years of faithful
preaching, after many had been converted, as it says there in
verse 18 of our text, many that believed came and confessed Christ. and believers are a confessing
people, they confess their whole hope of salvation is vested in
Jesus Christ alone. And after this public display
and commitment of this book burning, they took all those who were
converted and who were given life and faith in Christ Jesus,
who had previously had a life of idolatry, they took all their
books of religion religion of men, the idolatry of men, and
they put them in a big pile and they torched them. They burned
them. And the price of that was found to be 50,000 pieces of
silver. That's a public demonstration
saying that they're putting those things which are behind them,
forgetting those things which are behind them, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before. After these things,
it says in verse 20, so mightily, grew the Word of God and prevailed. About that same time, down in
verse 23, notice verse 23, about that same time, so mightily grew
the Word of God, so many confessed faith in Christ, made a public
show and demonstration that Christ is all their hope. About that
same time, there arose this great stir. No small stir now. It was a great stir about that
way. About that way. The way of Christ. The way of truth. Whenever the
gospel, or whenever, or wherever the gospel of Christ is preached,
there is always an effect. There is always an effect when
the gospel is set forth clearly and plainly. Sometimes it has
a negative effect. Sometimes it has a positive effect,
but it always has an effect. It never returns to God void.
It always is used of God to the salvation of God the elect, the
edification and instruction of God's people, or it's used in
the exposing and condemnation of the reprobate and the rebel. It's either a saver of life unto
life, or a saver of death unto death. There's no neutral ground. Our Lord said, He that is not
with me, is in opposition against me. There's no neutral ground. Now we've seen this story repeated
over and over again. Whenever the gospel came to town,
whenever the gospel came to town and when Paul set forth the gospel,
two things always happened. Revival and riot. Rejoicing and rebellion. Rise in opposition or repentance
in submission. Now, I'll show you a couple of
examples of that. We've seen this. Turn to Acts
chapter 13. Acts chapter 13. Revival or riot? Rejoicing or rebellion? Rebellion. In Acts 13. Here's the first
example of this. Verse 44. The next Sabbath day
came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitude,
they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which
were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming, speaking evil
against Paul and the gospel. Then Paul and Barnabas whacked
bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should have
first been spoken to you, to the Jew first. But seeing that
you put it from yourself, you discard it, and you judge yourselves
not to be sinful, unworthy of everlasting life, and no need
of mercy in Christ Jesus, lo, we turn to sinners. We turn to
the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded
us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that
thou shouldest be for salvation to the ends of the earth. And
when the Gentiles heard this, so here is a group, in verse
19, contradicting and blaspheming. There is that rebellion and riot.
And then verse 48, And when the Gentiles heard this, they were
glad and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were
ordained to eternal life believed. There's that rejoicing and submitting
and repenting in Christ Jesus. Now, back to the text. So this
is true. Whenever the gospel of God's
grace is set forth, these two things always happen. There's
always an effect, negative and positive, but always an effect.
About that same time, verse 23, about that same time there arose
no small stir about that way. Now let's identify what that
way is, that way. Now, turn back to Acts chapter
9, let's see if we can find out what that way is. Throughout
the book of Acts, the gospel is referred to as that way, that
way of grace, that way of mercy. that way of salvation through
Christ Jesus. Now Acts chapter 9, look at verse
1. And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired
of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogue, that if he found
any of this way, that way, this way, whether they were men or
women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Now turn to Acts
chapter 22. That way, Paul was persecuting
believers who were trusting Christ THE way. Now Acts chapter 22,
look at verse 4. He says in verse 3, I am truly
a man, a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, yet brought
up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according
to the perfect manner of the law of our fathers, and was zealous
toward God as you are all this day. And I persecuted this way,
this way believing God in Christ, unto death binding and delivering
into prison both men and women, that way." Now again in chapter
24 of the book of Acts, look at verse 14, Acts 24 verse 14. But this I confess, now here's
Paul, he's always in trouble, he's always before the Sanhedrin
or the judges or the rulers, he's always in trouble because
he stood firm for the gospel and would not compromise. Verse
14, but this I confess unto thee that the way, the way which they
call heresy, the way, Christ said I am the way, the way which
the self-righteous and religious Jew calls heresy, so I worship
the God of my Father, believing all things which are written
in the Law and the Prophets, and have hope toward God." Have
hope toward God. "...which they themselves also
allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and of the unjust." The way they call heresy. That's the way Paul
said, I worship God. Now, the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
turn back to the text again, Acts 19, 23. The Gospel of Jesus
Christ is totally distinct and different from the religion of
men. From the religion of men. The way of free grace in Christ
Jesus, justified freely by His grace, the way of justifying
faith being We have peace with God being justified by faith.
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The way
of free grace, the way of justifying faith, the way of sovereign mercy.
He said, I will have mercy on whom I will. Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. He
saved us in the way of effectual call. The effectually irresistible
call of God the Holy Spirit is not one way among many, It is the only way of salvation. I'm saying that the Lord Jesus
Christ is the way of salvation, and there's just one. There's
just one way. There's just one way. Our Lord
plainly said in John 14, I want you to find John 10, in John
14 He said, I am the way, the life, the truth. No one comes
to God but by the merits of Christ. by the righteousness of Christ,
by the blood atonement of Christ. Now find John 10, look at verse
7, John 10, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7,
7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, out of death, and shall find
plenty, find plenty. The thief cometh not, but for
to steal, to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that
they might have life, they might have life, and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd, the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, for the sheep." Now
turn to Ephesians chapter 1, there's just one way of salvation.
This way when Paul set forth the gospel, caused a great stir
among the people. It's a way of sovereign mercy,
the way of sovereign love, sovereign grace. And there's just one way.
Christ is the way. He's not one way among many,
the only way of salvation. Ephesians chapter 1, notice this,
verse 1, I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that
you walk worthy of vocation, wherewith ye are called with
all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace." Now look at verse 4, there is one body. There is one body. Now notice
the reference there. The reference is to chapter 2
verse 16. Turn over there, Ephesians 2
verse 16 says that, "...he might reconcile both unto God in one
body, by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." There is
one body. There is one church. There is
one way. And then he says there is one
Spirit. There is one Spirit. Ephesians 2, 18 says, for through
Him we both have access by one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, unto
God. So there is one body, there is
one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope. There is just one
hope. It's a good hope through grace,
but there's just one, one hope of your calling. Look at verse
5, there's one Lord. There is one Lord Jesus Christ. There is one faith. True saving
faith looks to Christ alone. There is one baptism. And that
is by the one Spirit are we all baptized into the one body. There
is, verse 6, there is one God. and Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and in you all. He is everywhere, omnipotent. He is omniscient. He is everywhere
present. He is God. There is one God who
is above all. Above all. Now this is the way
of salvation in Christ Jesus. All the religions of men make
salvation. Now listen to me carefully. This
will distinguish between the way of God in Christ Jesus and
the way of men. Now there's a contrast there. All the religions of men, I don't
care what you color it, what name you apply to it, all the
religions of men make salvation dependent and determined upon
the sinner rather than upon God Almighty. Those who make salvation
determined and dependent upon what you do or don't do, the
wise man Solomon said in Proverbs 14, 12, there is a way that seems
right unto men, the end thereof is the way of death. Cursed be
the man, Jeremiah 17, 5, cursed be the man that trusteth in man. That's a poor place to put your
confidence in yourself. But that's the religion of men,
to trust yourself for salvation. But the gospel of Jesus Christ,
now listen to this, the gospel of Jesus Christ makes salvation
and the way of mercy makes salvation totally determined, dependent,
and accomplished upon the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified Christ
Himself alone. Neither is there salvation in
any other. Is there? Nor the name under
heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Salvation in
Christ Jesus is totally accomplished by Him, determined by Him, and
dependent not upon me, it's dependent upon Him. And He said it's finished. He said it's done. This way of
salvation that caused a great stir in this city of Ephesus,
At that same time, there arose no small stir about that way. This way of salvation in Christ
Jesus is still a cause and a stir among people today, when it's
clearly set forth, preaching Christ and Him crucified. Now
let me tell you a story. I've got six things that I believe
set forth this way of salvation, and this is a message that was
preached back in 1954. When Pastor Mahan had that first
Bible conference there in Ashland in 1954, he invited Sovereign
Grace people from all over the country. He got a list of addresses
from an old Sovereign Grace book publisher who published all of
Arthur Pink's work back in 1954, and he sent out invitations all
over the country. Invited everybody who had ordered
these books through this publisher to come to this Sovereign Grace
Bible Conference in Ashland, Kentucky, 1954. And invited four
speakers, and one of the speakers, his name was Roth Barnard. Roth
Barnard. He first came to Ashland in 1950.
and preach that message of sovereignty of God in salvation, the Lordship
of the Lord Jesus. He made this statement, don't
tell me who your Savior is, I want to know who your Lord is. It's
the Lord Jesus Christ that saves. But in this first Bible conference
in 1954, Brother Barnard came and he preached
this message. Here are the six things that
he preached, and I'm going to give them to you right now. I've given
these to you before. But I want to set them forth
before you once again. These six things, and I could
add to this list and I might, but at least these six things
declare unto us the way of salvation in Christ Jesus. Number one,
this is what Brother Barnard said, number one, God is either
absolutely sovereign God is God over all things. God is absolute
sovereign over all things or He's not. There's no middle ground. God is either God, absolute,
controlling all events, creatures in time, that what comes to pass
in time. God purposed and decreed from
eternity. All things are ordered of God
and come to pass by His purpose on His time schedule or they
don't. There's no middle ground. And my friend, this book clearly
teaches that God is God, absolute sovereign over all things. I'll give you a couple of scriptures
on that. Turn to Psalm 135. So that was the first point.
Either God is absolute God, sovereign in creation, sovereign in providence,
sovereign in salvation, or He's not God at all. This book teaches
that God is God. I am God, beside me there is
no other. In Psalm 135, verse 5, 4, I know
that the Lord is great, that our Lord is above all gods. How great is the goddess Diana
of the Ephesians, huh? Peanut. No God at all. He's above
all God. The Lord is. Whatsoever the Lord
please, whatsoever the Lord please, that did He in heaven and earth,
seas and all deep places. He's the absolute ruler, controller
of all things. Turn back to Psalm 115. Psalm
115. David asked, or he was asked
by the heathen, David, where is your God? In verse 2 of Psalm
115, verse 3 says that our God is in the heavens. He hath done
whatsoever He hath pleased. God is God over all things or
He's not. Now, Brother Barnard said this,
when you face truth in the road, you either have to bow to it
or run from it. That's right. Bow to it or run
from it. Is there something that God is
trying to do and is hindered by the sinner? We hear people
say, well, God's trying to save you, but you won't let Him. My
friend, they're not talking about the God of Scripture. Is there
something God is trying to do and is hindered by the creature?
Absolutely not! Almighty God will do what He
will, when He will, to whom He will, according to His own purpose. He works all things after the
counsel of His own will. I'm saying that God is God! Or he's not. I say this book
teaches that he is. And I believe him. I trust him.
He is sovereign in creation. All things were made by the word
of his power. Now most folks don't have any problem with that.
Unless he's an absolute infidel. Sovereign in creation. All things
created by his own purpose, will, and word. He's sovereign in providence. All things are working together
for good to them who love God, to them who are called according
to His purpose. Of Him and through Him and to
Him are all things, to whom be glory. But most especially He
is sovereign in salvation. He will have mercy on whom He
will have mercy." Now I can make good on that. Turn to Romans
9. This is what the Word of God teaches. And this is a message
that will stir the people. You know, that message was preached
in 1954. You know, that message is still stirring the hearts
of God's people today. Oh, I tell you, it's quite amazing. Romans 9, the sovereign in salvation. The children, verse 11, being
not yet born, neither having done any good or evil at the
purpose of God, according to the election might stand, it
was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. As it
is written, Jacob hath my love, Esau the hated. What shall we
say then? Is there unrighteousness with
God? God forbid. For he said to Moses, I will
have mercy on whom I will have mercy. I will have compassion
on whom I will have compassion. So then it's not of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but God of God that showeth mercy. You got the first point? God
is absolute God over all things. Secondly, here's the second point. All men, all people, are totally
sinful, totally depraved, totally dead in sin, totally fallen,
or they're not. Now, which is it? Are you a sinner? Well, now, you know, no. You either are or you're not. There's no middle ground. All
men are either totally sinful, depraved, and dead in sin, or
they're not. This book teaches they are. Turn
to Ephesians chapter 1. Ephesians chapter 1. No small stir about that way.
Ephesians chapter 2 I want, verse 1. Ephesians 2, 1. And you hath
he quickened who were dead, dead in trespasses and in sin. Where
in time past ye walked according to the courts of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit
that now worketh in children of disobedience, among whom we
also, we all had our conversation in time past, in the lust of
the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
and were by nature children of wrath, even as others." Men are
totally depraved, not partially sinful. The fall was a total
fall. Look what it says down here in
verse 12, Ephesians 2 verse 12, that at that time you were without
Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the
covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in this
world. Ephesians chapter 4, turn over
there. Look at verse 18, having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is
in them through the blindness of their heart. In Adam, what
happened when Adam sinned against God? It plunged the whole human
race into total wreck, total ruin, a total fall, shut out,
without God, without help, without hope, dead in sin. That's what
this book teaches. That means men left to themselves
are unable to truly believe Faith is a gift of God. That means
that men left in themselves are unable to truly repent. He is
exalted to give repentance unto Israel. That means because men
are totally depraved, they are unable to come to Christ in themselves. They are made willing in the
day of His power. Our Lord said, no man can come
to Me except the Father which sent Me. Draw him. And that means
because we're so dead in sin, I cannot give myself life. God must quicken. He quickened
who were dead. You got the first two points?
God is absolute God, holy, eternal, sovereign, and we're just the
exact opposite. We're dead, impotent, weak, sinful,
and shut out. Either God elected a people unto
salvation before the world began, or He didn't. Now, which is it? This book teaches that God, from
that eternal covenant of grace, God chose whom He would, according
to His own purpose, an unconditional election of grace. He chose a
people and gave them to the Lord Jesus Christ. I can make good
on that too. Find II Thessalonians 2.13. God hath from the beginning chosen
you to salvation. 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 13. We
are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved
of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning. When? From
the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit. That's the new birth. which leads to the fruit of that,
belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our gospel to
the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ." God either
elected a people unto salvation or He didn't. Our Lord said repeatedly,
all that the Father hath given to me. Who's He talking about
there? Those given to Christ in that covenant of grace. Turn
to John chapter 15. John chapter 15, our Lord clearly
says to those disciples, you didn't choose Me, I've chosen
you. John 15, 16, He said, you've
not chosen Me, I've chosen you. They were out fishing. He called
them. Matthew was sitting at the receipt
of customs, and the Lord called him to follow. He said, you didn't
choose Me, I've chosen you, and ordained you that you should
go and bring forth fruit. that your fruit should remain,
that whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He'll
give it to you." You see, salvation, my friend, is not my choice,
it's God's. God's choice. Now, sinners do
believe the gospel, but that's all of God's grace. We do love
Him because He first loved us, and that is all of God's grace.
You see, He elected a people unto salvation. Now that's what
the Scriptures teach. Either He did or He didn't. I'm
saying this book says that He did. Now I'll leave it. I can't
convince you of these things, but I pray the Lord will convince
you of these things. Fourthly is this. The Lord Jesus
Christ, in the fullness of time, came in human flesh. God incarnate. And I mean by that the Word.
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The Lord Jesus Christ
in the fullness of time came manifest in the flesh to honor
the law, to put away sin completely and to satisfy God's law and
justice. He either came to save and got
it done or He didn't. Now which is it? Did He make
an effort and fail? Did He make salvation a possibility
if I do a certain thing, or did He accomplish salvation with
His sacrifice or with His blood? I'm saying this book teaches
that He got it done. Turn to the book of Galatians,
Galatians chapter 4. The atonement of the Lord Jesus
Christ was not an attempt, it was an atonement. He is set forth
as a propitiation, the satisfaction to God's law and justice. I can't
satisfy God's law. I can't honor God's law. But
the Lord Jesus Christ as a representative man for that covenant people,
He did. He did not fail. He cannot fail
because He's God. I'm saying that this book teaches
that all that the Lord Jesus Christ undertook on our behalf,
He's successful. Galatians 4, verse 4, When the
fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a
woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the
law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because
you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father, wherefore thou art no more a
servant, but a son. And of a son, an heir of God
through Christ. Right across the page, chapter
3, Galatians 3, verse 13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse
of the law. It doesn't say He tried to. It says He redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written,
Cursed is everyone that hangeth on the tree. The Lord Jesus Christ,
my friend, His blood atonement, His sacrifice, and the shedding
of His blood fully justifies all the elect of God. And that's
whom He died for. I lay down my life for the sheep.
Now turn to Romans chapter 5. He said, I lay down my life for
the sheep. Call His name Jesus. He shall save His people from
their sin. The blood atonement of Jesus
Christ puts away all of the sin of God's elect eternally. And that's what this book teaches.
Romans 5, look at verse 9, "...much more
than being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through Him." Justified by His blood, His sacrifice. His blood atonement fully justifies
from all sin. fully redeems from all sin. Turn back to Romans chapter 3
verse 24. being justified freely by His
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. He obtained
for us eternal redemption with His own blood. His blood atonement,
His sacrifice of His blood justifies completely, eternally, no condemnation
to those who are in Christ, fully redeemed, delivers us from all
sin, fully cleanses us from all sin, completely cleanses us from
all sin, The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin and
fully pardons us. Who can lay anything to the charge
of God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who
can condemn me? Christ has already been condemned.
He died in my room and in my stead. And the blood atonement
of Jesus Christ fully reconciles us unto God. Turn back to Romans
5 verse 10. Romans 5 verse 10. For if, when
we were enemies, we were reconciled of God by the death of His Son,
much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life, not
only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
for whom we have now received reconciliation." God was in Christ
reconciling those covenant people, the elect of God, unto Himself. His blood was not shed in vain. None will perish for whom He
died." They can't. There's none in hell for whom
the Lord Jesus Christ, and I mean by that, none will eternally
perish for those for whom the Lord Jesus Christ put away their
sin. His blood was not shed in vain. He appeared once in the end of
the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. None will
perish for whom He died. He will justify and glorify all
of them. Now, this is what the book teaches,
my friend. Salvation is all of grace alone, or it's not. Now, which is it? This book teaches
that salvation is all of God's grace. That God who saved us
and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and grace, given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began. That's what I'm preaching. That's
what God teaches throughout this book. Number five is this. God the Holy Spirit, God the
Holy Spirit will either affectionately call and quicken and regenerate
sinners with the Word of Truth, the Gospel of Christ, or He's
totally unable to do so. Either God the Holy Spirit quickens
and calls, or He doesn't. Which is it? Well, my friend,
this book teaches the call of the gospel in the hands of God
the Holy Spirit is irresistible and effectual. He will conquer
everyone for whom the Lord Jesus Christ died, even a man like
Saul of Tarsus, who would have held out any hope for such a
rebel against God, and yet God unhorsed him, put him in the
dust, and taught him the gospel, and made him fall in love with
the Savior, the Lord Jesus. How do you account for such a
thing? Well, it's by the irresistible call of God's grace. Turn to
Psalm 65. Look at this. Psalm 65. You see, God is not... and I
hate to even hear this. You know, God's trying to save
you. Why don't you let Him? My friend, who are you talking
about here? We're talking about God Almighty. We're talking about
God the Holy Spirit who controls all things. If God is determined
to save you, He will. You can't tie His hands. Look
what it says here in Psalm 65, Blessed is the man whom thou
choosest and causes, verse 4, causes to approach unto thee
that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the
goodness of thy house, even thy holy temple. Turn to Psalm 110. Psalm 110. That's why I don't stand down
here at the end of the service and beg people to come up here
and make a decision for Jesus. That's ridiculous. Show me in
the book of Acts one time where the apostles did that. The gospel is not an invitation.
The gospel is a command. God commanded all men everywhere
to bow to Christ. Look what it says here in Psalm
110. The Lord shall send the rod of his strength out of Zion,
verse 2, that's the gospel. He'll rule in the midst of thine
enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,
in the beauty of holiness, from the womb of the morning thou
hast to do of thy youth. How does he irresistibly call
us to Christ? I'll tell you how. He makes the Lord Jesus Christ
so loving to you, so, so beautiful in your sight, as altogether
lovely. He gives you a heart, faith, and love for Christ, and
you skedaddle to Him, and hug Him with the arms of faith, and
receive Him as everything in salvation. He will overcome,
He will conquer, He will convince of sin. Turn to John 17. Our
Lord prayed that way. John 17. John 17. Look at verse
2. Thou hast given Him power over
all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as the
Father hath given Him. That's the invincible, irresistible
call of God. He will conquer and convince
of sin. He will now. God the Holy Spirit
effectually quickens and calls and regenerates with the Word
of Truth or He doesn't. And my friend, this book teaches
that He does. Lastly is this. Those saved by God's grace will
persevere in faith unto glory." They will persevere. These all
died, it says of those patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, these
all died in faith. Saving faith, given of God, will
persevere. Saving faith that's real and
genuine will not quit. You know why? I'll show you.
Turn to 1 Peter. 1 Peter chapter 1. You see, He gives us, when He
saves us by His grace, He gives us eternal life. Oh, He said,
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and I give them eternal
life. They'll never perish. Neither can any man pluck them
out of My hand. My Father which gave to Me is
greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of
My Father's hand. I and My Father are one. 1 Peter chapter 1, look
at verse 3, 4 and 5. Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is 1 Peter 1, 3. Who according
to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a living hope by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, through an inheritance
incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, that is reserved
for you in heaven, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept
by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed
in the last time, wherein we greatly rejoice." There was a
great stir about that way. He saves us with an everlasting
salvation. It's not a temporary thing, it's
an eternal thing. He gives us everlasting salvation. He obtained for us eternal redemption. Turn to one more Scripture, and
let me show you this, and I'll let you go. John chapter 6. Believers do persevere because
they're preserved by the power of God. John chapter 6, verse
37. All that the Father giveth me,
verse 37, John 6, shall come to me, and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out. where I came down from heaven,
not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me. And
this is the Father's will which has sent me, that all which He
hath given me I should lose nothing, but raise it up again at the
last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone
which seeth the Son and believeth on Him may have everlasting life,
and I'll raise Him up at the last day." May God be pleased
to stir us up with the truth of salvation. by His sovereign
grace in Christ Jesus. I pray the Lord will bless those
words. That message was blessed in 1954
and it still preaches good in 2007. And that's the message
that does not change because God does not change.