True Story, Part 5: Past, Present, and Future Salvation

JOSH LEASE, STUDENT MINISTRIES PASTOR

Romans 7:18-19
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

In and through Jesus:

We saved

We’re saved

We saved

“Salvation is God’s way of dealing with what is wrong with the world and with us.”
– Eugene Peterson

We Have Been Saved 
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4

The debt you couldn’t pay has been .

We Are Being Saved
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

And we all…are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

If you’re lost, you cannot find yourself. You need to .

The true story of who we are is that we are !

We Will Be Saved
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12–13

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1–4

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

What story are you living,
and is it the one Jesus is telling about you?

Small Group Questions

1. Besides the Bible what is one of your favorite storybooks?
2. What do you think about the idea that you’ve been saved, you’re being saved, and you will be saved? How do you understand salvation?
3. What are some ways God is redeeming and healing you even now? 
4. Who do you believe you are according to Jesus? What is the most true story about who you are?
5. Have you experienced God inviting you to live into the truth of who he says you are instead of lies? In what ways?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?