Introduction:   All of us are mistaken about some things. You can be mistaken about some things and not suffer greatly. However, other mistakes are deadly: (Prov. 14:12) “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

You can be mistaken:

·         and marry the wrong person, but still go to heaven

·         and join the wrong church, but still go to heaven

·         and take the wrong job, but still go to heaven

·         and go to the wrong restaurant, but still go to heaven

But you can't be mistaken about SALVATION and still go to heaven! I am afraid that THE A MAJORITY of people who attend church are mistaken about salvation! That means that MANNY people who go to church are going to die and go to hell! BE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND:

I.          SALVATION IS NOT IN A CHURCH; IT IS IN CHRIST!

(2 Cor. 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

A.        Some Who Are On The Pews Are Not Pardoned

B.        Some Who Serve In Church Are Not Even Saved

C.        Some Who Sing The Songs Are Not Sincere

D.        Some Who Raise Their Hands Are Not Real

E.         Some Who Have Joined Have Not Been Justified

Are you in Christ? If you are in CHURCH, but not in CHRIST ... THAT mistake will send you to hell!

II.        SALVATION IS NOT IN THE WATERS OF BAPTISM; IT IS IN BEING WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST!

(Acts 8:36-37) “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

A.        Salvation Precedes Baptism

You’re not saved because you’ve been dunked by the pastor, you’re saved because you’ve been changed by the Master!

B.        Salvation Is A Prerequisite For Baptism

C.        Salvation Is Pictured In Baptism

Have you been washed in the blood? If you have been baptized in water, but not washed in the blood of Christ, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

III.       SALVATION IS NOT IN RECITING A PRAYER; IT IS IN RESTING IN A PERSON

1Acts 16:30-31) “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” 

Are you resting in Christ and Him ALONE for your salvation? If you are depending upon God saving you through PRAYER, rather than through believing on His SON, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

IV.       SALVATION IS NOT IN GOOD WORKS; IT IS IN THE GOSPEL

(Titus 3:5) “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;”

A.        Good Works Are The Anchor For Lost People

·                 They are trusting in their good deeds

·                 Church membership

·                 Baptism

·                 Doing good to their fellow man

B.        The Gospel Is What Saves People

·                 Christ's sacrificial death for our sins

·                 His burial

·                 His resurrection the third day

C.        The Gift Is Received By Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)

D.        Good Works Follow And Are The FRUIT Of Salvation

Are you depending upon your good works to save you? If you are depending upon your own works rather than upon Christ's gospel to save you, THAT mistake will send you to hell!

Conclusion:     BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ today! He died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures!