Category: Eternal security

The Gate

“‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.’” John 10:9 (NIV) In Bible times, the shepherd would lay down at the entrance of the sheep pen in order to provide protection and security for the sheep from the threat of beasts of prey. The sheep were vulnerable outside of the shepherd’s care. His willingness to serve as the gate gave the sheep security and access to the pasture. Jesus is the gate. It is through Him that a person enters into a saving relationship that provides eternal security and perpetual spiritual nourishment. Jesus is the gate that grants access to the spiritual resources of heaven. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13 (NIV) To enter through Jesus is to believe in His name and to be born again (John 3:3). Being born again is the event of conversion whereby you experience the regeneration provided by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the gate through which you experience the divine transaction by transferring your trust from yourself to Christ alone for salvation. A few weeks ago a couple church members joined me in visiting some first-time guests. We walked up their driveway and had the privilege of sharing the plan of salvation with the entire family and they each prayed to invite Jesus to take over their life. I congratulated them on their decision and the reality of their spiritual birthday. The dad let us know that it was also his physical birthday. His daughter immediately announced, “Daddy, you need two birthday cakes!” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal life Eternal security Salvation

Greatest Exclusion

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28 (NIV) God loves you so much that He initiated a love relationship with you. Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you (Jer. 1:5). Long before you knew anything about God or His love, God chose to do something for you that no other person could ever accomplish. God provided you with the opportunity to leave the broad road leading to destruction so that you could enter through the narrow gate and travel the road that leads to life (Matt 7:13-14). You don’t have to perish. You don’t have to go to hell. You don’t have to live eternally separated from God. You can come into a personal intimate love with relationship with God through Christ. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9 NIV). Be the recipient of the greatest exclusion. Be excluded from hell by receiving the gift of eternal life. If you already benefited from the greatest exclusion, commit to bring others into that saving reality. If you have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and placed in the kingdom of light, then invest the rest of your life sharing the love of God and shining the light of Jesus. May multitudes experience the greatest exclusion because of the faithful witness of your life. Are you excluded from damnation? Have you been delivered from eternal punishment by placing your faith in Jesus alone for salvation? In Christ, you shall never perish and no one can snatch you out of His hand. In Christ, you are eternally secure and personally blessed with the gift of eternal life. Now share the gift you have received with others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal security Gate I am sayings

The Gate

“‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.’” John 10:9 (NIV) In Bible times, the shepherd would lay down at the entrance of the sheep pen in order to provide protection and security for the sheep from the threat of beasts of prey. The sheep were vulnerable outside of the shepherd’s care. His willingness to serve as the gate gave the sheep security and access to the pasture. Jesus is the gate. It is through Him that a person enters into a saving relationship that provides eternal security and perpetual spiritual nourishment. Jesus is the gate that grants access to the spiritual resources of heaven. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13 (NIV) To enter through Jesus is to believe in His name and to be born again (John 3:3). Being born again is the event of conversion whereby you experience the regeneration provided by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the gate through which you experience the divine transaction by transferring your trust from yourself to Christ alone for salvation. A few weeks ago a couple church members joined me in visiting some first-time guests. We walked up their driveway and had the privilege of sharing the plan of salvation with the entire family and they each prayed to invite Jesus to take over their life. I congratulated them on their decision and the reality of their spiritual birthday. The dad let us know that it was also his physical birthday. His daughter immediately announced, “Daddy, you need two birthday cakes!” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal life Eternal security Salvation

Greatest Exclusion

Eternal security Grace Salvation

Entrusted to His Care

“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 1:8 (NIV) What do you base your eternal security on? Are you placing your confidence in your own ability to finish strong? The same grace that saved you is the same grace that will keep you strong to the end. Jesus sacrificed His life to deliver you out of the kingdom of darkness and to place you in the kingdom of light. Your eternal security is not based on your performance, but rather on the grace of Jesus operative in your life. Once you are in Christ, you are secure for eternity. Your eternal security does not give you a license to sin. Don’t presume upon the grace of God. When you became a follower of Jesus Christ, you received the imputed righteousness of Christ. Your standing before God became that of being blameless. When God sees you, He sees you through the atoning work of Christ applied to your life. God views your life based on the shed blood of Jesus. You are now a saint because of your position in Christ. Jesus will keep you strong to the end. Join Him in that journey of holiness and purity. Participate with Christ by keeping yourself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27). In Christ, you are entrusted to His care. The caregiver of your soul is the Lord Jesus Christ. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27). Now walk in the security you have in Christ. Live a life pleasing to God and help others come to know the security they can have in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal security I am sayings

Eternal Security

“Therefore Jesus said again, ‘I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.’” John 10:7 (NIV) My security in Christ is not based on my feelings. There are days when my emotional security may be threatened. There are days when I just don’t feel safe and secure. Fortunately, my security is not anchored to my feelings. My eternal security is found in Jesus completely. “‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’” John 10:9-10 (NIV) Because He is the gate, you are secure. After placing your trust in the completed work of Jesus on the cross, you are completely saved. Your eternal security is not based on your daily performance, but on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. You didn’t earn salvation and you cannot lose your salvation. The same One who saved you is the One who keeps you. As a believer, if you choose to sin, you will face consequences. You don’t lose your salvation, but your fellowship with Jesus will be strained and your ability to bear the fruit of the Spirit will be inhibited. Confess your sin now. Specifically agree with God concerning your sin. Remember what you were saved from! Now walk with Jesus and He will help you find pasture. Jesus will help you develop authentic relationships with other believers and He will help you develop spiritual disciplines to nurture His life in you. Jesus will help you build intentional relationships with unsaved people so that you can shine His light and share His love with them. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Eternal security Guarantee Spiritual Blessing

Safe and Sealed

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Cor 1:21-22 (NIV) Perhaps you have heard the expression, “Life has no guarantees!” Well, that’s just not true. In Christ, you have a guarantee that no one can disrupt. God guarantees your safe and secure eternal destiny. How does God indicate the security of our future? “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor 5:5 NIV). God gives His Holy Spirit to us at conversion. The moment we confess Jesus as Lord and embrace the reality that God raised Jesus from the dead; we are saved and filled with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells us permanently. The Holy Spirit does not move in and then move out. His indwelling Presence becomes our guarantee. You are made fit by God for the Holy Spirit’s habitation. At the moment of your conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. You become the walking Tabernacle of His Presence. The Holy Spirit guarantees what is to come. Your eternal security is enveloped by the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit. Have you received God’s deposit? Read Ephesians 1:13-14 and reflect on the spiritual blessing God has bestowed upon you. You are safe and sealed for eternity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Assurance Comfort Eternal security Faith Jesus

Fortifying Your Faith

“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’” Luke 8:24-25 (NIV) Without a test, there is no testimony. Jesus provided the disciples with an opportunity to fortify their faith and to solidify their testimony. Fearing for their lives, the disciples woke Jesus and alerted Him of their plight. Jesus got up and changed their circumstances by rebuking the wind and the waters. The storm subsided and all was calm. Their life lesson was delivered in the form of a question, “Where is your faith?” Jesus wanted the disciples to think about where they were placing their confidence. Did the disciples place their confidence in the boat or in the Master of the wind and the waves? “We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor 5:7 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) The disciples asked one another, “Who is this?” Your answer to that question is vital. Is Jesus just a good man who performed good deeds while upon the earth? Or, is Jesus the Master of your life and your forever? Place your confidence in Jesus alone for salvation and trust Him to see you through the storms of life. Jesus can save you from your sin and from eternal damnation. The same Jesus who has provided for your eternal security can provide for your immediate stability in the midst of your storm. Entrust your life to Jesus completely. Jesus is in the boat! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor