Castaway Delivered Sinners

About this sermon

The August 1, 2011 issue of the Beaumont Enterprise records that in October of 2004, Ameneh Bahrami spurned the marriage proposal of Majid Movahedi, who was a fellow student at the University of Tehran. In response to the rejection, Movahedi threw acid on Bahrami’s face, leaving her blind and disfigured. Under sharia law, she appealed for similar retribution and he was sentenced to have acid drops placed in his eyes so that he would likewise lose his sight; literally an eye for an eye. She endured seventeen surgeries before the punishment was finally set to be carried out on July 31, 2011. Officials determined that the court-ordered retribution should be broadcast on Iran’s state television so that it would serve as a deterrent against such crimes. As the doctor, however, was moving to carry out the procedure in an operating room, Bahrami halted the process at the last minute by asking the physician to spare him. She said, “I forgave him, I forgave him.” After this dramatic scene, the 31-year-old Bahrami stated, “It is best to pardon when you are in a position of power.” This true story is a reminder of the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ who forgives the repentant sinner because He has the power to do so. Because of His saving grace, we will never be rejected by Jesus even though we are sinners. Our salvation in Him is secure and complete because we are IN HIM. * John 6:37-40, 44.... All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day......44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Because the Christian belongs to Jesus Christ, he or she is eternally secure in Jesus Christ. Notice the phrase “I will in no wise cast out.” In the Greek language a double negative is used for greater emphasis. God says, “No, in no way, will I cast out!” The security of our salvation is in the hands of Jesus. * John 10:28-29... And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. * 1 Peter 1:5- Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are KEPT by the power of God. What does this mean? This word "kept" is derived from the Greek word phroureo {froo-reh'-o} which means "to guard or protect by military guard; to keep by watching." Our lives are garrisoned by God and He stands as the sentinel over us all our days. Our salvation is under God's constant care and protection. Our salvation is through our faith in Christ, not by any works or deeds we do. The Lord saves us by our faith in Him and He is the one that keeps us saved. Good deeds or works do not maintain a person’s salvation because they were not a factor in the first place. If deeds maintained salvation, how would you know if your deeds were good enough? You wouldn’t. We are saved by God's grace and kept by God's grace. Salvation is the work of Jesus Christ, not us. Our salvation is kept or guarded by Him. Thank God for His mercy and saving grace. This 31-minute message was preached on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Repentance
• Overcoming Obstacles