FROM SINNER TO SAINT

   Over the past several decades the Christian pulpits all across the world have simplified the gospel message of salvation to a point that it is mostly unrecognizable when it is measured against the bible.

FAITH

   Romans 10:17 The bible is very clear about hearing the word of God. Without bible understanding of God, sin, the gospel message and salvation there can be no faith, therefore no salvation.

   Romans 12:3 Most of us have heard people say, “I don't have enough faith”. God gives it to all of us.

   Luke 8:15 In this wonderful parable by Jesus He declares that those that will be saved are those that have a desire and willingness to listen and be changed (be fruitful) by hearing the word of God.

   Matthew 7:24-25 Again a parable by Jesus teaches that it takes the hearing, the receiving and acting upon God's word that will create or bring a faith to a person which causes a positive reaction.

   Romans 3:10 Herein begins the famous Romans road, however, please review what Paul taught in the previous three chapters as he teaches about the Jews and Gentiles sin and God's judgment.

REPENTANCE

   Matthew 3:1-2 The man that Jesus said was “the greatest prophet” preached repentance.

   Mark 1:15 The first recorded message preached by Jesus was that of repentance.

   Luke 13:2-3 Jesus never stopped preaching repentance. See (Luke 24:46-47) the great commission.

   Acts 2:38 Peter's first preaching service to his brethren the Jews was to repent.

   Acts 17:30 The Apostle Paul preached repentance to the Gentile Athenians on Mars Hill.

   Acts 26:19-20 When Paul's life was on the line he told the king what his message has been since the day of his salvation, repentance toward God and then act like a Christian and bring forth fruit.

   II Corinthians 7:10 When Paul wrote a second letter to the church at Corinth he explained that “Godly sorrow brings repentance and then follows salvation”. REPEAT; repentance then salvation.

SALVATION

   Ephesians 2:8-9 If we carefully take these two verses apart we can quickly see the keys to being saved are 1. Grace (unmerited favor of God) and 2. Faith (the gift of God Eph.2:9).

   Titus 3:5 Here we can see another wonderful attribute of salvation is God's Mercy.

   I Corinthians 15:1-4 Paul is reminding this church that he had preached, (made known, declared) the gospel message to them before,  it is that message when received with a good heart that saves them.

CHANGE

   II Corinthians 5:17-20 The final fact in our salvation is the “new change within” should be especially recognized by the individual that has been genuinely saved from sin unto eternal life.

   Romans 12:1-2 We are exhorted to give ourselves completely to God and to seek a new way of thinking by the study of God's word and the separation from worldliness.

   Romans 7:21-23 Paul teaches us that the truly saved person will begin to have a internal battle. He further illustrates and teaches more about this battle in (Ephesians 6:12) regarding spiritual warfare.

   Matthew 7:15-17 Jesus is teaching that we should be able to recognize those that are truly His by the fruit that they bare. Can our relatives, our friends or our co-workers tell by our fruit that we are the Christians we claim to be?