
JESUS PLUS NOTHING
When pastor Matt Kessler was asked what he wanted to go on the most important page on this website, this was his statement.
What is salvation?
Salvation is deliverance from sin brought by faith in Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Why do we need salvation?
John 3:3 - "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Everyone will physically die, but your soul will live forever.
Hebrews 9:27 - "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Those who have not excepted God’s free gift of salvation (been saved) will spend eternity in punishment.
Revelation 20:15 - "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Are you in need of salvation?
First realize your lost condition and admit you are a sinner.
Romans 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
I John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Next, understand that the price of sin brings God’s wrath and judgement.
Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Revelation 20:14 - And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Realize that you can’t save yourself.
Titus 3:5,6 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Ephesians 2:8,9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 2:16 - Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone.
Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 10:10 - By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
John 3:18 - He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Galatians 3:26 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Your works will not save you. Water baptism will not save you. Church membership will not save you. Sacraments will not save you. Tithing will not save you. Being a “good” person will not save you.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing.