Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 07, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE BIG ANSWER TO THE BIG QUESTION

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Acts 16:25-34

Text: Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Introduction: In my first pastorate, which was from 1975 to 1980, I had a weekly radio program. One series that I taught from the Bible on that program was on the subject, "What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

So many give the wrong answer. I asked many, many people the question. Almost NO ONE gave me the answer that is recorded in the scriptures here.

Think with me about THE BIG ANSWER TO THE BIG QUESTION

I. IT WAS A PREEMINENT ANSWER

Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

It is so much more important

A. Than the questions of science

Evolution versus creation

B. Than the questions of scoffers

How did all the animals get on the ark?
Where did Cain get his wife?

C. Than the questions of silly fools

1. The Bible calls these "foolish and unlearned" questions in 2 Timothy 2:23 and says that they are to be avoided.

II. IT WAS A PRESERVED ANSWER

Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

A. Because of the inquiry

This is THE inquiry you need to make.
Everyone wants to know this at some time in his life.

B. Because of the importance

C. Because of inspiration

D. Because of instruction

III. IT WAS A PLAIN ANSWER

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

A. Our guilt is plain

B. The gospel is plain

C. The guarantee is plain

Not hard to understand; hard to believe.
Sinners deserve a plain answer
God gave us a plain answer
A child can understand it
A child doesn't have to become as an adult to be saved, but an adult needs to become as a child to be saved

IV. IT WAS A PECULIAR ANSWER

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Acts 17:19-20 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

A. It was different

It is different from what most churches say, including many Baptists.

B. It was direct

C. It was dogmatic

Thou SHALT be saved!
It matches John's gospel 3:14-16,36

V. IT WAS THE PERFECT ANSWER

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

A. Perfect for salvation

B. Perfect for soul-winning

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