Study of ACTS 16:22-34

Read: Acts 16:22-34

Intro: Ill. The context. Paul and Silas are in deep trouble, but the Lord delivers them from prison and gives them an opportunity to share their faith. When the jailer appears in the prison, he asks the most important question that anyone will ever ask, "What must I do to be saved?" Some of you have been dealing with this question. Maybe you know that you need to be saved, but you don't understand it as well as you should. I want to help you with that this evening.

The question the jailer asked was important, but the answer he received was just as important. If you hear the wrong answers about how to be saved, you will never get to know God. I would like for us to take a moment to look at Paul and Silas' answer to this man's desperate question and see for ourselves exactly what you must do if you will be saved.

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED?

A. A Definition - Saved - To rescue from harm and from danger. (Ill. We have all seen people get saved from dangerous situations in the movies and on TV. Well, this is kind of the same thing, except the danger is far worse.)

B. The Danger - Until we are saved, everyone in this room is in terrible danger. Why?

1. We are all sinners - Rom. 3:23, Ill. You may not think you are a sinner, but anything that we do which violates the Law of God is a sin. Such as disobedience, lying, back talking, cheating, stealing, etc. You see, the bad things we do are just the proof that we are sinners. In truth, we are born into this world as sinners. We are guilty before God when we are born, Psa. 58:3. As a result, we are the enemies of God, Rom. 8:7.

2. We are all headed to Hell - Rom. 6:23. This verse tells us that there is a price on sin. If we do not come to Jesus for salvation then God has no choice but to send us to Hell. No one here wants that to happen!

C. The Difference - When a person gets saved, he receives certain wonderful blessings.

1. The Forgiveness Of Sins - Psa. 103:12; Eph. 4:32

2. A New Life - 2 Cor. 5:17

3. Escape From Hell - Rom. 5:9

4. A Home In Heaven - John 14:1-3 (In fact, the only way to get to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.)

II. WHO IS THIS MAN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

A. He Is The Son Of God - Matt. 3:17 (He is God - John 1:1; 14)

B. He Is The Sacrifice For Sin - 2 Cor. 5:21 (Ill. The Cross!)

C. He Is The Only Source Of Salvation - 1 John 5:12; John 14:6

III. WHAT IS THE METHOD OF SALVATION?

A. It Is Very Simple - Ill. Believe - To trust! (God made salvation so simple that anyone can do it. Ill. Rev. 22:17; John 6:37. (Ill. We all exercise faith everyday. Each time we flip a light switch, use a remote control, eat a meal, ride in a car, etc.) Being saved is nothing more than placing your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation. It is choosing to trust Him and nothing else to save you and to take you to Heaven - Eph. 2:8-9.

B. It Is Very Secure - Salvation comes with an ironclad guarantee. Once you are saved, you can never be lost again! (John 10:28; John 6:37). If you will place your faith in Jesus Christ, you need never fear dying lost and going to Hell!

Conc: What must you do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Would you like to be saved right now? If so, I invite you to come to Jesus and believe on Him. Will you do that right now?