Salvation By Grace Alone
Sermon Summary for Septuagesima Sunday
Printed 2-14-2014, Norfolk Daily News

In Christ’s parable of the laborers, everyone gets paid the same no matter how much or how little they worked. Those who worked harder become understandably furious, and of course, everyone knows such a business would fail. Yet, his parable has a spiritual meaning.

In the Kingdom of God, the currency is not money, but rather the free gift of God’s grace alone. There is nothing we can do to earn it, no matter how hard, or how long we have worked. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

No matter how faithful and sincere I’ve been, it is still by God’s free grace alone that I am saved. Jesus did it all. He lived, died, and rose again for me. No matter how many people I’ve helped, no matter how much money I’ve given away, and no matter how hard I’ve prayed, it still doesn’t count for anything when it comes to earning salvation. I really haven’t earned anything at all. Jesus did it all.

We cannot come to God being smitten with who we are and what we have done. We must put away our pride, and put everything aside that we think is impressive about ourselves, and rely on Jesus Christ alone. He is the only one who can save us. “A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.” “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

- Pastor Wyatt Rosebrock