The Way Begins in a Hole
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of humility and recognizing our inability to save ourselves in order to receive God's salvation through Christ.
Selwyn Hughes emphasizes the profound truth that salvation in Christ challenges human pride, as it reveals our inability to save ourselves through our own efforts or merits. The offer of free salvation confronts the world's self-sufficiency and highlights the necessity of humbly accepting God's saving grace. Hughes illustrates how the gospel message contradicts the notion that we can attain salvation through our own goodness, emphasizing the need to acknowledge our helplessness and rely solely on God for redemption. He urges listeners to let go of pride, confess their inability to save themselves, and turn to God in repentance, recognizing that true salvation comes from Him alone.
Text
"... at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." (v. 6)
For reading & meditation:
Romans 5:1-8
Why should the offer of free salvation in Christ be such a stumbling block to the world? Mainly because it cuts deep into people's pride. Bishop Neill, a writer, says: "... that which we ask the Muslim to look for in Jesus is in itself a cause of grave offense to Muslim pride. We suggest - we cannot do otherwise - that he find a Savior. The Muslim affirms that he has no need of such a thing." Pride adopts the stance: "I can save myself by my fasting, good works, or other meritorious acts." But the message of the gospel is this: there is simply nothing we can do to save ourselves. We must let God save us - or be lost. Helen Woodhouse, another religious writer, says: "We think we must climb to a certain height of goodness before we can reach God, but He doesn't say, 'at the end of the road you may find Me'; rather, 'I am the Way, I am the road under your feet, the road that begins just as low down as you happen to be.'" If we are in a hole, then the way begins in a hole. The moment we give up our pride and turn our face to God, confessing that we can do nothing to save ourselves, that moment we put ourselves in the position where we can be saved. The next step is simply to call out to the Lord and ask Him to save you. If you have never done that before, I urge you - do it today.
O God, I see clearly that I can do nothing to save myself, and if I am to be saved then I must look to You to save me. I repent of my sin, and turn to You as Your Word commands. Save me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the concept of salvation - The role of pride in rejecting salvation - The necessity of recognizing our need for a Savior
- II points: - Understanding the offense of the gospel - The contrast between human effort and divine grace - Examples from other faiths regarding self-salvation
- III points: - The significance of humility in seeking salvation - The metaphor of being in a hole - The importance of calling out to God for help
- IV points: - The assurance of God's willingness to save - The role of repentance in the salvation process - Encouragement to respond to God's call
Key Quotes
“If we are in a hole, then the way begins in a hole.” — Selwyn Hughes
“The moment we give up our pride and turn our face to God, confessing that we can do nothing to save ourselves, that moment we put ourselves in the position where we can be saved.” — Selwyn Hughes
“O God, I see clearly that I can do nothing to save myself, and if I am to be saved then I must look to You to save me.” — Selwyn Hughes
Application Points
- Acknowledge your pride and need for a Savior to begin your journey of faith.
- Practice humility by recognizing that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of your own efforts.
- Encourage others to call out to God for salvation, emphasizing the importance of repentance.