Perseverance of the Saints

In this part of the sermon: The sermon opens with a survey highlighting common uncertainty about salvation, introducing the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints (eternal security). It then presents the…

A man surveyed people at a train station, asking if they were sure of going to heaven. All responded 'no,' with some indignant, illustrating the common lack of assurance in salvation.

Some years ago, a man in a large city took a survey at a train station in which he asked about 25 or 30 people if they knew for sure they were going to heaven. The result, though not surprising, was interesting. It was a unanimous no. Not a one of them was sure. In fact, several of them became quite indignant and said, Nobody can be sure of such a thing as that.

0:02 - 0:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon opens with a survey highlighting common uncertainty about salvation, introducing the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints (eternal security). It then presents the…

A famous man refused to have his biography written, saying he'd seen 'too many men who fell out in the last lap of the race,' illustrating the Arminian fear of losing salvation at the end of life.

He may be saved, then lost, and then saved again, then lost again. So that whatever condition he happens to be in at the time of his death, that will determine whether or not he will go to heaven. There was once a famous man who, during his lifetime, was so highly respected that someone wanted to write his biography. But the man absolutely refused.

1:52 - 2:13 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If God the Father elected us, God the Son atoned for our sins, and God the Holy Spirit performed his invincible works in our heart, is it possible for us to fall by the wayside and not be saved? Impossible.

A line from a hymn, 'the work thou hast for me begun shall by thy grace be fully done,' is quoted to summarize the doctrine of perseverance.

That would make the Spirit's work less than invincible. And so an overview of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints shows us that the Spirit is invincible. And so an overview of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints shows us that once a person is saved, he remains saved. Or in the words of a hymn in our songbook, the work thou hast for me begun shall by thy grace be fully done.

6:15 - 6:37 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Building on Romans 8, Martin addresses potential objections: could God fail to preserve us? He argues that God's sacrifice of Jesus, His justification, and Christ's intercession…

The biblical account of Satan wanting to sift Peter like wheat, and Jesus praying for Peter, is used to illustrate Christ's intercession and preservation of His saints despite their stumbles.

Once Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat, but Jesus said to Peter, Peter, I am praying for you. No harm will befall you. You may stumble and fall in your spiritual journey through life, but I will stay with you. Don't worry.

11:43 - 12:00 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Paul is convinced. He is certain beyond the shadow of a doubt that absolutely nothing, not the power of death nor the forces of Satan, nothing within the framework of time, present or future, nothing within the framework…

A line from a hymn, 'Oh, love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee,' is quoted to express the believer's security in God's unwavering love.

Why? Because the love of God evident in his death simply will not let us go. Oh, love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee. I am convinced, writes Paul, beginning in verse 38, that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

13:26 - 13:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be anxious about your salvation, as it is sure because God is sovereign.

A quote from a songwriter, 'the soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes,' is used to affirm God's commitment to never forsake those who trust in Him.

We can exclaim with a songwriter, the soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes. That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

15:32 - 15:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Be careful never to assume that just because a person has gone astray that he cannot turn back to the Lord.

The story of a man who was a church pillar but later divorced, lived with another woman, and left the church, is used as a practical example of someone who appears to fall from grace, prompting a discussion on distinguishing true believers from those with superficial faith.

I recall a man who for many years was very involved in the life of the church. He was active in its societies, served on various committees, was constantly being elected to the church council, today he is divorced, living with a woman to whom he is not married. He never darkens the door of the church. Isn't this in itself sufficient evidence to prove the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints to be wrong?

20:52 - 21:18 Read in full sermon