Calvary Road Baptist Church
“What Will Happen To Me If I AM Saved?”
Matthew 1.21
When you go to the store and take merchandise from the counter, you expect the merchandise you purchase to be appropriately and accurately labeled. Is that not reasonable? When you find that something is not truthfully labeled, you are rightfully and justifiably disappointed.
So it is with Christianity. Biblical Christianity is appropriately labeled. I am sorry to have to say cannot be truthfully said about what passes for Christianity in most churches here in the United States. Can you imagine Christians obeying imperial commands in the first century to cease and desist from all public worship based on the assertion that gathering for worship was a threat to your physical health?
Consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Luke 14.28-33:
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Using two illustrations, the passage I have just read shows that the Lord Jesus Christ makes a powerful argument for knowing what you are letting yourself in for, for counting the cost, for going in with your eyes open. Yet we find many, these days, who urge people to make uninformed decisions about becoming a Christian.
It is impossible to become a real Christian without your mind being fully engaged, without doing your due diligence, without carefully weighing the costs and benefits of being a Christian. Those who supposedly become Christians but who end up being nothing more than “a flash in the pan”[1] are invariably uninformed and impulsive; people who have not counted the cost.
So, to inform you, to help you count the cost, I will bring messages from God’s Word over the next several weeks dealing with what “saved” and “salvation” is and about what happens to a person who does not come to Christ for salvation from sins.
At this time, I want to address the question, “What Will Happen To Me If I Am Saved?” Some people are terrified of the thought of being saved, somehow imagining salvation to be worse than Hell or an eternity in the lake of fire. Others have no opinion about the matter at all. Both categories of sinners seem to take no notice of the experiences of the Christians they know, who will gladly communicate to them that their imagined fears of becoming a Christian are baseless.
I want to provide for you a balanced response to the question, “What Will Happen To Me If I Am Saved?” approaching the answer by first examining a text of Scripture and then considering the general topic of salvation as it is revealed in the Bible.
We begin with Matthew 1.20-21, a wonderful place to start on this Sunday before Christmas. These verses record what an angel said to Joseph in a dream when he informed him that the pregnant young woman he was betrothed to, a virgin named Mary, would be giving birth to the Savior to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. I begin from the middle of verse 20:
“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
My text is verse 21:
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
This verse is related to our subject of interest, salvation. After all, what is more central to Christmas and the celebration of our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem than the crucial matter of a soul’s salvation from sin. It is, after all, why He came.
We begin by touching on three different people’s roles in the coming of the Savior:
First, TAKE NOTICE OF MARY’S ROLE
“And she shall bring forth a son.”
In the previous verse, the angel had informed Joseph that the conception that resulted in her pregnancy, which had created so much anxiety for him, was the work of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit of God. Following this verse, Matthew informs us that this transpired to fulfill prophecy.[2]
Way back in Isaiah 7.14, some seven centuries before Joseph’s encounter with the angel, the prophet Isaiah was inspired by God to foretell of the coming of God’s Son, the Messiah of Israel, through the virgin birth:
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Hebrews 10.4-7 gives us the reason why the Lord Jesus Christ was born of a virgin:
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
For the Second Person of the Triune Godhead to fulfill His mission as the Savior, He became a man. God never intended animal sacrifices to take away any sinner’s sins, but only to cover over those sins or to atone for them for a short time. For sin to be properly dealt with, it has to be cleansed. But only the blood of the innocent Savior can cleanse sin, so the Lord Jesus needed to become a man.
What role, then, did Mary play in God’s great drama of redemption? She was the chosen vessel, a virgin, used by God to provide His Son a human body. For the Son of God to become both God, which He already was, and man, which He became through the virgin birth, He had to be born. Since His father is God and not any man, the mother who birthed Him had to be a virgin. That virgin was Mary. Her role in God’s plan was not to teach. Her role in God’s plan was not to forgive any sins or act in any way as a mediatrix between sinners and God. Remember that she acknowledged herself to be a sinner in Luke 1.47 and even offered sacrifices for her sins.[3] Mary’s role was a simple one. She was the prepared young woman with the necessary lineage useful to God to provide for His eternal Son a mortal body, so that, as a physical heir of Israel’s great King David, He would be able to cleanse away sins with His precious blood.
Next, TAKE NOTE OF JOSEPH’S ROLE
“thou shalt call his name JESUS.”
It is quite apparent that God leaves nothing whatsoever to chance. There is no such thing as coincidence, except in people’s minds. God works “all things after the counsel of his own will.”[4] Therefore, it is no surprise to the Bible student to read the angel’s directive to Joseph:
“thou shalt call his name JESUS.”
Nothing was left to chance concerning the naming of this Child.
Just like Mary, I do not doubt that Joseph was a good and godly man, reverent, and devoted to God. But we read nothing of Joseph’s deeds, beyond the fact that he was a just man who experienced heartache and doubt. We read of no lessons he taught his Stepson. There is no hint of him in the Biblical record after this encounter past the barest reference to him in our Lord’s twelfth year.[5]
Like Mary, Joseph had the needed ancestry, being one of King David’s many descendants and having the legal right to the throne of Israel. But unlike Mary, Joseph was directed to do something. Mary was told to do nothing. Her role in the incarnation, in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, was entirely passive. Joseph, however, was given an order. Name the child.
From A. T. Robertson, we read: “The angel puts it up to Joseph as the putative father to name the child. ‘Jesus is the same as Joshua, a contraction of Jehoshuah (Nu 13:16; 1Ch 7:27), signifying in Hebrew, ‘Jehovah is helper,’ or ‘Help of Jehovah’’ (Broadus). So Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua (Heb 4:8). He is another Joshua to lead the true people of God into the Promised Land. The name itself was common enough as Josephus shows. Jehovah is Salvation as seen in Joshua for the Hebrews and in Jesus for all believers. ‘The meaning of the name, therefore, finds expression in the title Saviour applied to our Lord (Lu 1:47; 2:11; Joh 4:42)’ (Vincent). He will save (sôsei) his people from their sins and so be their Saviour (Sôtêr). He will be prophet, priest, and king, but ‘Saviour’ sums it all up in one word. The explanation is carried out in the promise, ‘for he is the one who (autos) will save (sôsei with a play on the name Jesus) his people from their sins.’”[6]
To restate, Mary provided a physical body and a bloodline back to David for the Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph provided His given name for the Lord Jesus Christ and the legal right to sit on David’s throne as the king of the Jews.
One other thing before moving on: Do you remember Mary being asked to occupy her role in God’s plan and purpose? No? I don’t, either. Neither do we find any indication of Joseph being asked to occupy his particular role in God’s plan and purpose. Why not? God does not ask. He is God.
Finally, TAKE NOTE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S ROLE
“for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Three things in this phrase merit our undivided attention:
First, the words “he shall save.” That is, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior. He does the saving. No one does any saving except Him. And there is no indication that He needs any help to save anyone, either. He neither needs your help nor wants your help and will not accept your attempts to help Him save you or to help Him save anyone else. One other thing before moving on. In Isaiah 45.6, we read these words,
“there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”
The context shows that it is Jehovah who is speaking here. If Jehovah is the Savior, and there is no other savior than Jehovah, and yet the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior, then Who is Jesus Christ? He is none other than the God of Israel, the Creator of all things, the one true and living God known in the Hebrew Scriptures as Jehovah. Wow!
Next, we read, “he shall save his people” No one is better than John Gill on this:
By “his people” whom he is said to save are meant, not all mankind, though they are his by creation and preservation, yet they are not, nor will they be all saved by him spiritually and eternally; nor also the people of the Jews, for though they were his nation, his kinsmen, and so his own people according to the flesh, yet they were not all saved by him; many of them died in their sins, and in the disbelief of him as the Messiah: but by them are meant all the elect of God, whether Jews or Gentiles, who were given to him by his Father, as a peculiar people, and who are made willing in the day of his power upon them, to be saved by him in his own way. And these he saves from “their sins”, from all their sins, original and actual; from secret and open sins; from sins of heart, lip and life; from sins of omission and commission; from all that is in sin, and omission upon it; from the guilt, punishment, and damning power of it, by his sufferings and death; and from the tyrannical government of it by his Spirit and grace; and will at last save them from the being of it, though not in this life, yet hereafter, in the other world, when they shall be without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.[7]
How is it discovered who is and who is not among those who are “his people”? If you respond to the Gospel, you are one of “his people.” If you die without Christ and spend eternity in torment for your sins, you are not one of “his people.” In short, the answer is found by what you do with Jesus Christ.
Finally, we read “from their sins.” Nowhere in Scripture is mention made of sinners being saved from Hell. Please note that. While it is true that those who are saved from their sins will not suffer punishment in Hell, it is the fear of the LORD that is the beginning of wisdom, not the fear of Hellfire. To be concerned about Hell apart from being concerned about God, or apart from being concerned about sin, shows that the criminal does not believe his crimes are wrong and has no concern for his victim. He only has a selfish concern to escape punishment for his crimes.
SERMON:
Our text, Matthew 1.21, is one of the many essential verses in the Bible concerning the salvation which is in Jesus Christ. In that verse, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ will save His people from their sins. However, a single Bible verse cannot provide a full picture of Gospel truths and salvation issues. So, my sermon will be a message overviewing this broad but essential subject of salvation.
I hope that by the end of this message, you will have a useful answer to the question, “What will happen to me if I am saved?” A study of God’s Word reveals that this subject of salvation is somewhat more complex than most people realize. However, the basics are relatively easy for most people to grasp.
When we use the word “saved,” we need to keep in mind that there is a threefold salvation aspect. When Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailor, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” here is what they meant:
First, IF YOU ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, YOU ARE SAVED FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN
Consider some verses with me. Luke 7.50. Notice what the Lord Jesus Christ said to the woman:
“And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
First Corinthians 1.18. Paul, writing to the Corinthians concerning a benefit already experienced:
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Second Corinthians 2.15. Notice that there is a sense in which Christians are saved:
“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.”
Second Timothy 1.9:
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
These verses, and many more besides, show us that there is a sense in which a Christian is already saved. The Christian’s sins have already been forgiven and, in Christ, the believer is spiritually safe. Thus, the convert to Jesus Christ is delivered from the guilt and penalty of sin. But that is not all.
IF YOU ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, YOU ARE BEING SAVED FROM THE POWER OF SIN
Some other verses having to do with the second aspect of salvation: You really should read the entire sixth chapter of Romans, but at this time, we will look at verse 14:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
In Philippians 1.19, Paul refers to this aspect of his salvation:
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 2.12-13, referring to this aspect of the Philippian congregation’s salvation:
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Then there is Galatians 2.19-20:
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
No Christian is without the lifelong experience of and the struggle against personal sin. Indeed, First John 1.8 declares that,
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
But the salvation that the Christian has in Jesus Christ is not only a salvation from the penalty and guilt of sin. It is also an ongoing deliverance from the dominion and power of sin in our daily lives.
Are there ongoing struggles with sins? Yes. Will there be all too many personal failures and tragedies? Also, yes. But is there also a dramatic and noticeable difference between the Christian’s struggle against personal sin and the lost person’s enslavement to sin? Absolutely.
Reflect with me on First Corinthians 6.9-11:
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous 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.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Personal sins must be dealt with by every Christian. And by God’s grace, through the preaching of the Word, in answer to prayer, with the encouragement of other believers in and out of the congregational setting, and by the inward work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, victory over sin is our experience.
Is our present salvation from the power of sin in our lives perfect and complete? No. Does any Christian ever experience sinlessness and perfection in this lifetime? Not possible. But by God’s wonderful grace, any Christian can say, “By God’s grace, I am not what I was, and I do not do what I once did.”
Finally, IF YOU ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, YOU WILL BE SAVED FROM THE PRESENCE OF SIN
If I am not what I was, and I do not do what I did, I still have a problem that remains to be solved. That final problem is addressed by the final aspect of salvation, which is salvation from the very presence of sin in glory.
Again, some verses for you to look up with me: Paul anticipated this aspect of salvation in 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.”
Then there is First Peter 1.3-5:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
And also First John 3.2:
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
If I am not what I was and do not do what I did, I can also say that I will not be what I now am, and I will not someday do what I currently do. There will come a day when Christians, those who are saved and are being saved, will experience the full and complete deliverance that began when they believed in Jesus Christ. On that day, sinless perfection will be every Christian’s experience because when that day comes, we will be fully and wholly saved from our sins, from their penalty, from their power, and even from their presence.
This is one of four messages from God’s Word that I purpose to bring to you during our Sunday morning worship time, to provide for you the necessary foundation to understanding what the words “saved” and “salvation” mean in a spiritual sense.
Next Sunday morning, my plan is to bring a message addressing what happens to a person who is not saved before passing from this life to endless eternity. This message has taken a very brief look at three aspects of salvation that naturally arise from the Christmas story; salvation from sin’s penalty, salvation from sin’s power, salvation from sin’s presence. That is the promise of the newly born Babe in the manger.
The problem with this brief overview of salvation, of course, is that it is too clinical, too abstract, too remote from your personal experience for you to feel as though you need to be saved from your sins. Additionally, the distractions of the Christmas season can also plague you.
Lord willing, next week, I will bring a message dealing with what happens to someone who is not saved when passing over to eternity. In two weeks, I will answer the question, “What is salvation?”
The final of the four messages will deal with your conscience and your guilt, and how the salvation that the Lord Jesus Christ provides includes deliverance from the guilt that plagues your conscience.
Wouldn’t you like to have a truly clear conscience? The salvation which is in Christ Jesus is a salvation that clears the conscience because it is a salvation that removes the guilt.
__________
[1] “flash in the pan” is defined as 1: a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing, 2: one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless. The first known use of the phrase was 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1. History and Etymology for “flash in the pan” from the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20in%20the%20pan
[2] Matthew 1.22-23
[3] Who needs a savior but one who is a sinner, Luke 1.47? Also, compare the requirements of Leviticus 12 with the obedience of Luke 2.21-24 as proof of Mary’s sinfulness.
[4] Ephesians 1.11
[5] Luke 2.41-52
[6] A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Vol I, (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1930), page 10.
[7] John Gill, The Collected Writings of John Gill - Version 2.0, (Paris, AK: The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc., 2000-2003)
Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Please contact him by clicking on the link below. Please do not change the subject within your email message. Thank you.
Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church