The Plan of Salvation - church of Christ Sermon

The Plan of Salvation

Primary Text: Romans 1:16

Introduction

God has always provided a plan for those who desire to be saved. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). His plan is simple, complete, and unchanging—revealed through His Word for all generations.

God Has a Plan of Salvation

Even those unfamiliar with Scripture understand that salvation implies deliverance from danger. The Bible declares that sin separates mankind from God (Romans 3:23). Every person who sins needs saving. Yet God’s Word reveals how salvation has come to humanity. Jude wrote of “the common salvation” delivered once to the saints (Jude 1:3). This salvation comes through the gospel of Christ, the power of God to save all who believe (Romans 1:16). God’s plan is divine, eternal, and certain to succeed. Gamaliel, in Acts 5:38–39, wisely observed that if a plan is of God, it cannot fail. His purposes are sure, for He is all-powerful and all-knowing.

The Beginning of God’s Plan and Its Objective

A plan is conceived before it is acted upon. God’s plan of salvation existed before creation. Ephesians 1:3–12 reveals that before the foundation of the world, God chose humanity to stand before Him in holiness. Through Christ, redemption and forgiveness would be granted. The plan, fulfilled in the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4), was designed to bring all things together in Christ and glorify God. The plan demonstrates God’s goodness, grace, and love. Since God has a plan of salvation, we must understand how that plan saves.

How God’s Plan Saves

God’s plan is not one step but a series of divinely revealed conditions that must be met through obedient faith. Each part of the plan works in harmony with the others to accomplish salvation by grace through faith.

God’s Grace

From the beginning, God has shown grace. Though our sins separated us from Him (Isaiah 59:1–2), He loved us enough to make reconciliation possible. “Even when we were dead in sins, [He] made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace means God provided what man could never earn. His plan, established before the world began (2 Timothy 1:8–9), was always centered on this unearned favor. The gospel message of grace never changes, for “the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

Hearing the Word of God

To know God’s plan, one must first hear His Word. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The apostles and prophets received this revelation by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:5), and it has been preserved in Scripture for all generations. Through preaching, men come to understand God’s will (1 Corinthians 1:21). Without hearing, faith cannot begin, for belief depends upon understanding the message of salvation. Hearing is therefore the birth of faith—the first step toward obedience.

Belief and Faith

True faith is not mere acknowledgment of God’s existence but trusting obedience to His Word. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This belief moves the heart to action. When Peter preached on Pentecost, the people believed his message and asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Their belief led to obedience. Saving faith is active, living, and demonstrated through obedience (James 2:17). Grace saves, but faith is the hand that receives it.

Confession

Faithful confession is the natural result of believing. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9–10). Confession is not a declaration of sin but an acknowledgment that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is a public statement of faith in His resurrection and authority. Paul wrote, “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Confession is faith expressed through the lips, born from a heart fully persuaded of Christ’s truth.

Repentance

Repentance follows belief and confession. Peter’s command to those on Pentecost was clear: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Repentance is a change of heart and will that leads to a change in life. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Genuine repentance is essential to salvation. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Turning from sin and turning toward God is the evidence of a renewed heart.

Baptism

Baptism is the act through which sins are washed away by the blood of Christ. “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism” (1 Peter 3:21). It is the burial of the old life and the beginning of the new (Romans 6:4). Jesus said that one must be “born of water and the Spirit” to enter the kingdom (John 3:5). Baptism unites a person with Christ’s death and resurrection, bringing about forgiveness of sins and newness of life (Acts 22:16). Faithful baptism is immersion, not sprinkling or pouring, as demonstrated in Acts 8:36–38. Through baptism, the obedient believer is added to the body of Christ (Acts 2:47).

Faithful Living

After baptism, the Christian must continue to walk faithfully before God. Faithfulness is the ongoing commitment to live according to the Word. Jesus said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Faithful living involves obedience, holiness, and love. “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). This life of faith is guided by God’s Spirit through His Word and is marked by perseverance, prayer, and service.

God’s Plan Always Succeeds

God’s plan is not chaotic or contradictory. It is simple and sure. “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). When followed completely—hearing, believing, confessing, repenting, being baptized, and living faithfully—salvation is certain because God’s promises never fail. To follow man’s plan is to fail, but to follow God’s plan is to find eternal life.

The Plan of Salvation Sermon Outline

I. God Has a Plan of Salvation

Everyone has sinned and needs saving (Romans 3:23).

Salvation is through the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16).

God’s plans never fail (Acts 5:38–39).

II. The Beginning of God’s Plan

Formed before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3–12).

Objective: man’s redemption and holiness in Christ.

Executed in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4).

III. How the Plan Saves

A. By Grace – Ephesians 2:5, 8; 2 Timothy 1:9.
B. By Hearing – Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21.
C. By Faithful Belief – John 3:16; James 2:17.
D. By Faithful Confession – Romans 10:9–10.
E. By Faithful Repentance – Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30.
F. By Faithful Baptism – 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:4; Acts 22:16.
G. By Faithful Living – Revelation 2:10; 1 Peter 1:15.

IV. The Certainty of God’s Plan

God’s plan is simple and sure (Matthew 11:30).

Man’s plans fail; God’s succeeds.

Only through God’s plan can one be saved (John 14:6).

Call to Action

Every person must decide whether to trust in God’s plan or rely on their own. God has revealed exactly how salvation is obtained. Hear His Word, believe His Son, confess His name, repent of sin, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and live faithfully until death. God’s invitation is open. He desires that none perish, but that all come to repentance. Obey His plan today and find peace through Christ.

Key Takeaways

God’s plan of salvation existed before creation (Ephesians 1:4).

Salvation is by grace through obedient faith (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 1:5).

Hearing the Word produces faith (Romans 10:17).

Belief leads to confession, repentance, and baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10).

Baptism unites one with Christ and brings forgiveness (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

A faithful life secures the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Scripture Reference List

Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save.
Romans 3:23 – All have sinned.
Jude 1:3 – The common salvation delivered to the saints.
Acts 5:38–39 – God’s purposes cannot fail.
Ephesians 1:3–12 – God’s eternal plan of salvation in Christ.
Ephesians 2:5, 8 – Salvation by grace through faith.
Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the Word.
John 3:16 – God’s love and the necessity of believing in Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 – Confession of Christ leads to salvation.
Acts 2:38 – Repentance and baptism for forgiveness of sins.
1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism now saves us.
Romans 6:4 – Newness of life through baptism.
Revelation 2:10 – Faithfulness unto death brings eternal life.
1 Peter 1:15 – Holiness in all conduct.
Matthew 11:30 – Christ’s yoke is easy, His burden light.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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