The Beautiful Facets of Salvation
                            Hebrews

Introduction

I.    Salvation is like examining the many facets of a diamond.

II.   Salvation is a commanding theme in the Bible.
      A.  The salvation of man brought Jesus from heaven to earth (Luke 19:10).
      B.  The salvation of man is a major concern of heaven (Lk 15:7).
      C.  The salvation of man is the purpose of God's revelation to man (Jas 1:22).

III.  Salvation is the most rejected gift offered to man (Rom 6:23).
      A.  Possibly we need to reexamine the beauty of salvation.

IV.   Salvation is greatly emphasized in the Book of Hebrews.

Discussion

I.    SALVATION IS GREAT (HEB 2:1-4).
      A.  Salvation is great because of the great Proclaimer of salvation (vs. 3).
          1.  Salvation has been "spoken."
              a.  It is not the result of a miraculous, mysterious, mystical, "better-felt-than-told" operation.
          2.  Salvation was spoken by the Lord (vs. 3).
              a.  It was not spoken by Moses (John 1:17).
              b.  It was not spoken by John the Baptist (Acts 19:4).
          3.  Salvation was confirmed by those who heard the Lord. (vs. 3).
              a.  There is salvation because Christ lived, died, & lives again (1 Cor 15:1-3).
              b.  The "great salvation" was preached by witnesses of Christ  (Acts 2:32; 1 John 1:1-3).
              c.  The "great salvation" first spoken by the Lord, & confirmed by the apostles, is set forth in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16; Mark 16:20).
      B.  Salvation is great because of the great Price paid for salvation (Heb 2:9; 9:28; 10:10)
          1.  Christ's blood bought man's salvation (1 Pet 1:18-19).
          2.  "None of the ransomed ever knew how deep where the waters crossed, or dark was the night that the Lord passed through, ere He found His sheep that was lost." - The Ninety-Nine.
      C.  Salvation is great because of the great Power of God which produces it (Rom 1:16).
          1.  It takes the power of God to deliver men from the power of sin.
              a.  Sin enslaves men (John 8:34, ASV.)
      D.  Salvation is great because of the rich Provisions God has made for man's salvation (Heb 7:25).
          1.  God has provided for His people a High Priest (Heb. 4:15,16).
          2.  God has provided for His people an attorney (advocate) in heaven (1 Jn 2:1-2).

II.   CHRIST IS THE CAPTAIN OF MAN'S SALVATION (HEB 2:9-10).
      A.  Jesus is the "archegos" of our salvation.
          1.  Jesus is the "pioneer" of our salvation.
          2.  Jesus is the "captain" or "commander" of our salvation.
          3.  Jesus is the "hero" of our salvation (Acts 5:31).
      B.  Jesus was made perfect (complete) as a Savior through His death.
          1.  He died for all men as the Father willed.
          2.  He desires the salvation of all men (2 Pet. 3:9).
          3.  His death demonstrates God's favor toward man.

III.  CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR OF SALVATION TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM (HEB 5:8-9).
      A.  Jesus is the "aitios" of our salvation.
          1.  Jesus is the "author" or "source" or "causer" of our salvation.
      B.  God has, through His grace, provided salvation for man (Titus 2:11).
      C.  Salvation is used in two senses in the New Testament.
          1.  Salvation from past sins is conditional: one must obey the Lord. (Mk 16:15-16).
              a.  Faith in Christ is not optional (Jn 8:24).
              b.  Repentance is an imperative (Ax 17:30-31).
              c.  Confession is required by the Lord (Rom 10:9-10).
              d.  Baptism is a command from Christ (Acts 2:38).
          2.  Eternal salvation in heaven is also conditional: men must obey the Lord (Phil. 2:12).
              a.  Man must, through his obedience, accept the offer of salvation.

IV.   THERE ARE THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION (HEB 6:9).
      A.  Laboring accompanies salvation (Heb 6:10).
      B.  Hope accompanies salvation (Heb 6:11).
      C.  Faith accompanies salvation (Heb 6:12).
      D.  Patience accompanies salvation. (Heb 6:12).

V.    CHRIST IS ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST (HEB 7:25).
      A.  "Uttermost" means "completely."
          1.  Through Christ men are completely pardoned for sins (Heb 8:12).
          2.  Through Christ men are completely sanctified (Heb 10:10).
      B.  The Lord ever lives to make intercession for Christians.

VI.   CHRIST SHALL BRING ETERNAL SALVATION WHEN HE COMES AGAIN (HEB 9:27-28).
      A.  The return of Christ will be "without (apart from) sin," [without a sin offering] (1 Pet 1:9).
      B.  "Salvation" not only refers to forgiveness of past sins, but also to eternal deliverance into heaven itself.

VII.  SALVATION HAS TO DO WITH THE SOUL OF MAN (HEB 10:39).
      A.  Peter wrote of purifying the soul (1 Pet 1:22-23).
      B.  James wrote of saving a soul from death (James 5:19-20).
          1.  This "death" is not physical death.
          2.  But an eternal separation from God (Rom 6:23.)
      C.  Salvation is important because it involves the soul of man (Matt 16:26).

Conclusion

I.    Salvation is more beautiful than a diamond.
      A.  God is willing to save men (1 Tim 2:4).
      B.  Christ is able to save men completely (Heb. 7:25).
      C.  God's word reveals God's plan of salvation (Mat 28:19f).
      D.  Salvation is a reality to those who believe and obey!

II.   Sadly, Salvation is not appreciated as much as a diamond.
      A.  How could men be unconcerned, & indifferent toward that which means so much to God?
          1.  The Lord has saved men like Saul of Tarsus.
          2.  He can save you!
      B.  This is the day of salvation! (2 Cor 6:2).


**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/