BAC Sermons

Perseverance or Eternal Security/Assurance?
2006-09-24

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Eternal Security says that once a person is saved, he is saved because he believes, regardless of how he may behave thereafter. The Calvinistic doctrine of Perseverance says that one who does not persevere in faith and in the expression of faith (practice/works) - proves he was never really saved in the first place. calvarychapel.com/library/bryson-george/books/fpocwafw.htm#05 Rom 8:1,38 Phil 1:6; Eph 1:13; 4:30; 1Th 5:23;

“The mark of true justification is a perseverance in righteousness - to the very end...” JM Boice, Found. of the Christian Faith IVP p 407

“All who were chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.” Steele & Thomas Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented cx1Pt 1:5

I. We’re saved by Grace thru Faith to do Good works, Empowered by God’s Holy Spirit

A. The reason a person is separated from God is because he must pay the penalty for his sin. A person goes to heaven because his sins are paid for by believing that God accepts Christ’s death as a full just substitionary payment resulting in forgiveness, regeneration, & justification.

Salvation reverses the effects of the Fall (glory, holiness/rlshp with God, eternal life) by justifying, sanctifying and glorifying believers.

If holiness and Christlikeness were guaranteed and automatic, there would be no need for the exhortations, warnings, & correctives of the NT.

B. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Titus 2:14 gave Himself…that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

C. 1Pt 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through/by faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

D. Phil 2:12 obey…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure

II. Reward or Lack/Loss of it (not loss of forgiveness) is determined by our Good Works

A. Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. Heb 10:24 let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

B. 1Cor 3:13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

C. Rom 2:6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds/works: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness——indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

D. 2Cor 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

III. We have a choice to Deny our unsanctified desires or Deny the Lordship of Christ over our lives

A. Lk 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

B. Titus 1: 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work

C. 2Tim 2:10 I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. {past justification; present sanctification}

12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. {present sanctification; future glorification}

If we deny Him, He also will deny us. {no sanctification; no glorification}

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. {no sanctification; future justification}

D. 2Pt 2:1…false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord (not Savior) who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

E. Phil 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (cf 2Cor 13:5 reprobate)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. In what do you have faith that you’ll be in heaven? Your works? Your election? Your conversion experience? Your belief?

2. When does a person get forgiven, redeemed, regenerated (born again), indwelt/sealed by the HS and made a child/son of God?

3. Are all NT and present day believers self-denying, other-centered, Christ-emulating, working disciples who continually delight God? Why?

4. What causes a person to believe things that are NOT true, or are inconsistent, unreasonable, and doomed to failure?

5. With what “good works” was your heavenly Father pleased this past week? Were they intentional? What will you do next week?

Biblical Perseverance

Ro 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Ro 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints——

2Ti 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

Jas 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord——that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

2Pe 1:6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

Re 2:3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

Re 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Ro 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Ro 5:4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.