Does Salvation Result from Seeking God? Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-9 Isaiah 55:1-7

INTRODUCTION Eph 2:8-9 Titus 3:5 “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift from God, not of works…” Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, BUT according to His mercy He saved us…”

z INTRODUCTION Initial salvation is through faith alone, in Christ alone! NOT repentance + faith Faith in the gospel of I Cor 15:4-5 EQUALS repentance concerning Christ NOT by water baptism + faith in the gospel NOT by the act (work) of verbal confession of Christ + faith in the gospel

z INTRODUCTION (cont.) NOT by the act (work) of confession of sin + faith in the gospel NOT by the act (work) of surrender or promised lordship to Christ+ faith in the gospel NOT y the act (work) of seeking God and His forgiveness + faith in the gospel

Israel was Told to Seek the Lord Isa 55:6-7 Jehovah’s genuine invitation to His covenant people, Israel, to return to Him, after spiritually wandering from Him (cf Deut 4:25-31)

The Reality: No One Will Ever Respond to the Invitation to Seek the Lord NT Declaration Rom 3:10-12 “…there is none that seeks after God…” OT Declaration Ps 14:1-3 “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God…” Those who seek God are self-seeking Jn 6:24-26; Phil 2:21; Rom 10:3

Why Israel Will Seek the Lord Ezek 36:21-28 Lk 19:10

Why Gentiles Will Find the Lord They didn’t seek Him! Rom 10:20 By the convicting work of the Holy Spirit Jn 16:8

Saved Ones Are Energized to Seek Things Above “For it is God who works in you…” Phil 2:12-13 “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things above…” Col 3:1

CONCLUSION Today, we don’t tell someone to “seek the Lord.” No one desires, or is able to do so (Jn 3:3) We explain the gospel, and let the Holy Spirit convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment so that they can be saved from their sins By GRACE alone, through FAITH alone, in CHRIST alone