TEXT:  Heb. 2:3;  Acts 4:12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SALVATION IS MORE THAN JUST A RELIGIOUS WORD.

B.      SAVED FROM BEING LOST, A FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE.

          1.       The small child lost in the store - Fear.

          2.       Lost on the trail - Consequence, Sleep in the snow.

C.      BEING LOST SPIRITUALLY IS THE WORST KIND.

I.      WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SPIRITUALLY LOST?

A.      Eph. 2:1-3.  SPIRITUALLY DEAD AND WALK

          1.       According to the course of this world, and the prince of the power of the air,

                   the spirit of disbelief.

          2.       To the lust of the flesh, the desires of the flesh and of a carnal mind.

B.      Eph. 2:12.  ALIENS, STRANGERS, WITHOUT HOPE, WITHOUT GOD.

C.      Matt. 10:28;  2 Thess. 1:7-9;  Heb. 10:26-27.  TO LIVE IN FEAR.

          - What if I don't believe?( Heb. 2:14 ).

D.      Rev. 20:15.  IT MEANS TO BE FINALLY CAST INTO HELL.

          1.       Matt. 25:30, 41;  Mark 9:43-49.

          2.       Luke 16:26.  No escape!

E.      TOO MANY DON'T TAKE BEING LOST SERIOUSLY.  THEY ACT AS THO

          THEY FEEL GOING TO HELL IS NO BIG DEAL.

II.     WHERE CAN WE GO FOR SALVATION?

A.      THERE IS ABUNDANT SALVATION IN CHRIST( Col. 1:12-14;  Acts 4:12 ).

B.      JESUS SAVES US THRU HIS BLOOD( 1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

C.      THE SAVED ARE IN THE CHURCH( Acts 2:47;  20:28;  Eph. 5:23 ).

D.      TO BE IN CHRIST AND IN HIS BODY ARE THE SAME THING.

E.      HOW DO WE GET IN?

          1.       Much disagreement!

          2.       We must find the answer or be lost.

          3.       What does the Bible say?( Gal. 3:26-27;  Rom. 6:3;  1 Cor. 12:13 ).

F.      CAN WE BAPTIZE JUST ANYBODY?  NO.  BAPTISM SAVES THOSE WHO:

          1.       Believe in Jesus( Mark 16:16 ).

          2.       Repent( Acts 2:38 ).

          3.       Confess( Phil. 2:9-11 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      HAVE YOU BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST?

B.      DO YOU WANT TO BE SAVED?