Sermon #1234

Title: “I Rejoice in Thy Salvation!”

Text: I Samuel 2:1

Reading: I Samuel 2:1-10

Subject: God’s Salvation

Date: Sunday Morning - June 2, 1996

Tape # S-58

Introduction:

1 Samuel 2:1 "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."

Let me give you the historical background of our text. There was a godly man in Israel named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Elkanah loved Hannah dearly and favored her over Peninnah. But the Lord had shut Hannah’s womb. She was barren; and Peninnah had many children. Being jealous of Hannah, she harassed and provoked her continually because of her barrenness.

When Elkanah went to Shiloh to worship the Lord and offer sacrifice to him, Hannah went with him. In her deep distress and sorrow, she poured out her heart to the Lord, asked him to give her a son (I Sam. 1:9-11), and promised to give her son to the Lord to serve him in his house all the days of his life. When Eli the priest saw Hannah weeping and praying, because he heard no words, he thought she was drunk and reprimanded her (I Sam. 1:12-14). But after Hannah explained her sorrow and told him how that she was pouring out her soul before the Lord, the old man of God prophesied that God would grant her request (I Sam. 1:15-18). When Hannah and Elkanah returned home “the LORD remembered” Hannah! He gave her the son she desired. She named the boy Samuel, which means “asked of God” (I Sam. 1:19-20).

The men of Israel were required by God’s law to appear before the Lord three times each year to keep the appointed feasts of the Lord (The Feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles); but the women were not required to go. Therefore Hannah did not go back to Shiloh until Samuel was weaned and old enough to be left there (I Sam. 1:21-23). Do not imagine that Hannah took Samuel as a baby to live with and serve the priests. Those men did not operate a daycare center. They served God. In those days, the weaning of a child was done in three stages: first, when he was weaned from his mother’s breasts at about three years of age, second, when he was weaned from a nurse at seven, and third, when he was weaned from childish manners and expected to start behaving as man at twelve. Samuel was probably twelve or thirteen years old when Hannah, keeping her vow to the Lord, took him to Eli (I Sam. 1:24-28). When she did, she offered the prayer of thanksgiving and praise that we read in I Samuel 2:1-10. What a prayer it is! In these ten verses this dear lady adores the perfections of God’s Being, the greatness of his providence, and the glory of his gracious goodness. That brings us to our text. Read it with me again.

1 Samuel 2:1 "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."

Hannah’s troubles, though they were of a carnal nature, were typical of the spiritual troubles of a soul under heavy burden of conviction, a sinner overwhelmed with a sense of depravity, guilt, and utter helplessness. God’s answer to her prayer, the deliverance he granted her, is a picture of God’s grace and salvation in Christ. Hannah herself tells us that in our text.

I want to talk to you today about God’s salvation. I take Hannah’s words for the title of my message. “I Rejoice in Thy Salvation!” It is my prayer that each of you will leave this house of worship today rejoicing in God’s salvation. Yet I know that you will never rejoice in God’s salvation until you know what it is by personal experience. You will never pour out your soul unto the Lord like Hannah, until you are brought to utter bitterness of soul as she was. You will never seek the life he gives until you experience the barrenness of your own life. Before the Lord lifts you up by his grace, he will bring you down in judgment. Before he makes you rich in Christ, he will make you poor in spirit. Before he causes you to sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory with Christ, he will make you a beggar on a dunghill. But I am here today to proclaim good news to poor, guilty, sinners, to you who have been stripped of all goodness, to you who knowing your poverty and barrenness of soul, sit as beggars upon a dunghill longing for God almighty to look your way and speak peace to your souls. “He that is our God is the God of salvation” (Ps. 68:20). May God be pleased this day to grant to you the joy of his salvation.

Proposition: I know this - In order to rejoice in God’s salvation you have to know what it is, you have to experience it, and you have to live in the hope of its consummation.

Divisions: With those things in mind, I want to show you three aspects of salvation as it is set forth in the Word of God. These are the things that cause me to rejoice in God’s salvation.

1. The Expression of Grace

2. The Experience of Grace

3. The Expectation of Grace

I. THE EXPRESSION OF GRACE

We will begin with the expression of grace. Salvation is God’s expression of grace to sinners. It is God’s revelation and declaration of his infinite love, mercy, and grace to sinners in Christ and for Christ’s sake.

A. Salvation is by grace alone.

A local Campbellite preacher wrote recently, “While the Bible says that salvation is by grace, it never says that salvation is by grace alone.” He is right. The Bible nowhere states that salvation is by grace alone. But there are many things plainly taught in the Scriptures that are no expressly stated in the Scriptures.

· Verbal, Plenary Inspiration (II Tim. 3:16)

· The Trinity (I John 5:7)

· The Incarnation (John 1:14)

· Vicarious Atonement - Substitution (II Cor. 5:21)

· Satisfaction (Rom. 3:24-26)

· Divine Sovereignty (Ps. 115:3)

· Human Responsibility (John 3:35; Rom. 6:23)

Even so, though the Word of God never expressly says that salvation is by grace alone, it universally teaches that salvation is by grace alone.

Romans 3:28 "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Romans 4:3-6 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"

Romans 9:11-18 "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. (17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (18) Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Galatians 5:2 "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing."

Galatians 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast."

2 Timothy 1:9 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

1. The grace of God is his free, unmerited, underserved, unsought favor and saving goodness bestowed upon hell deserving sinners in Christ and for Christ’s sake.

When the Scriptures use the word “grace,” every time we read that word we need to automatically understand that they are talking about something that is...

· Eternal (Eph. 1:3-6).

· Sovereignly Bestowed (Rom. 9:16).

· Discriminating (I Cor. 4:7).

· Free (Hos. 14:4; Rom. 3:24).

· Unconditional (Jer. 32:40).

· Immutable (Rom. 11:29; Mal. 3:6).

· Everlasting (Ecc. 3:14).

2. Any mixture of works with grace is a total denial of grace.

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

Those who would mix baptism, church membership, good works, personal righteousness, sabbath keeping, obedience to the law of God, or anything else with the merits of Christ and the grace of God as the grounds of salvation and acceptance with God, to any degree, are altogether ignorant of the gospel of the grace of God. “Salvation is of the LORD!” We are not saved by what we do, but by what God does for us, and in us, and with us by his grace. Salvation is by grace alone.

B. Our salvation in time is God’s expression or revelation of his eternal, everlasting purpose of grace toward us in Christ.

Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

2 Timothy 1:9-10 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

Our experience in time does not in any way affect God’s eternal purpose. Our experience of grace in time is the fruit and result of God’s eternal purpose of grace toward us. The grace which the Lord God expresses to us in salvation is perfect and complete. It is described in the texts we have read as sevenfold:

1. Covenant Grace (II Sam. 23:1-5).

2. Electing Grace (II Thess. 2:13-14).

3. Redeeming Grace (Eph. 1:7).

4. Justifying Grace (Rom. 3:24-26).

5. Regenerating Grace (Eph. 2:1-4).

6. Sanctifying Grace (I Cor. 6:9-11).

7. Glorifying Grace (Jude 24-25).

Note: All for whom t he covenant was made, all for whom grace was designed, shall in the last day be glorified by grace. What grace begins, grace continues, and grace completes.

If ever a sinner comes to understand and know God’s salvation in Christ as the expression of grace, I mean grace as it is revealed in the Bible, he will sing with Hannah, “I will rejoice in thy salvation!”

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me;

I once was lost, but now am found;

‘Twas blind, but now I see!”

“Grace! ‘Tis a charming sound!

Harmonious to the ear!

Heaven with the echo shall resound,

And all the earth shall hear.

Grace first contrived the way

To save rebellious man;

And all the steps that grace display

Which drew the wondrous plan.

Grace first inscribed my name

In God’s eternal book:

‘Twas grace that gave me to the Lamb,

Who all my sorrows took.

Grace led my roving feet

To tread the heavenly road;

And new supplies each hour I meet,

While pressing on to God.

Grace taught my soul to pray,

And made my eyes o’erflow;

‘Twas grace that kept me to this day,

And will not let me go.

Grace all the work shall crown

Through everlasting days;

It lays in heaven the topmost stone,

And well deserves the praise.”

Having said all that, let me quickly add this - If all we know is the expression of grace in salvation we are yet in our sins, as lost and undone as those who have never heard the name of God. All the great doctrines of grace, delightful as they are, are of absolutely no benefit to our souls until we experience them. So, secondly, I want to talk to you about God’s salvation as...

II. THE EXPERIENCE OF GRACE

Theoretical grace is of no more benefit to a perishing, doomed, damned, helpless sinner than a theoretical life preserver is to a drowning man. A theory will never save you. A doctrine will never save you, no matter how clearly you think you understand it. Election is not salvation. Election is unto salvation (II Thess. 2:13). A thirsty man will profit himself nothing by looking at a glass of water, investigating its chemical make up, and observing how greatly refreshed others are by drinking it. In fact, a truly thirsty man never imagines wasting his efforts on such things. A thirsty sees a glass of water and drinks it. He asks no questions. If he is desperately thirsty, he does not even ask permission to drink. He just grabs the glass and, with one quick gulp after another, he quenches his thirst. Are you thirsty for grace, thirsty for forgiveness, thirsty for salvation? I hold before you the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s salvation. Come and drink! Listen to his own words.

John 4:14 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

John 7:37-38 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

If you can this day drink from the fountain of grace, you will go out of this place rejoicing in the experience of it. I realize that each believer’s experience of grace differs somewhat from another’s in the details. But I also know that there are some things commonly experienced by all who are born of God. Here are five things that are experienced by every sinner who is truly saved. These are all works of the Holy Spirit. Not one of these five things can be to any degree attributed to man. These are the works of God’s grace in his people.

A. A Creation

Salvation begins, in the experience of it, in regeneration. Before there is any genuine conviction or even concern in your soul about spiritual matters, you must be born again. Regeneration, or the new birth, is the sovereign work of God the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). Sometimes it is a gentle breeze. Sometimes it is a rushing, mighty wind. But until the Wind of God blows upon your soul there will be no spiritual life or movement in your soul. The new birth is a new creation. The new man is not an old creature repaired and renovated; but a new creature. The wind blows in different ways.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

B. A Conviction

John 16:8-11 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

All who are born of God are convinced by God the Holy Spirit of these three things:

1. Their Sin.

2. Christ’s Righteousness.

3. Justice Satisfied - Judgment.

C. A Calling

Being convinced of Christ’s finished, all-sufficient work of redemption as the sinner’s Substitute, we have been called, effectually and irresistibly called to faith in Christ by the almighty power and grace of God the Holy Spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Notice that our “belief of the truth” is the result of the Holy Spirit’s call, not the result of our decision. Faith in Christ involves the “belief of the truth;” and that faith is the gift and operation of God (Col. 2:12).

D. A Coming

Faith is described in the Scriptures by many things. Sometimes it is called looking, sometimes trusting, sometimes calling, and very often coming. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to come to him. He bids us, “Come unto me!” And believers are described as a people who come to him - “To whom coming!”

1. We come to Christ for everything we need ( I Cor. 1:30).

2. We come to Christ continually.

3. And when we leave this world, we hope to come to him.

E. A Conversion

Conversion is turning to God. But this too we recognize and confess is God’s work and not ours.

Jeremiah 31:18-19 "Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. (19) Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth."

Wherever there is faith in Christ, a turning to Christ, there must of necessity be a turning from...

· Self.

· The World.

· My Sin.

· My Righteousness.

Having experienced God’s salvation, having experienced grace, the believer sings with Hannah, “I will rejoice in thy salvation!” But our joy is not limited to this world. This is only the beginning of joy. Though we cannot yet talk much about it, we also rejoice in God’s salvation because of...

III. The Expectation of Grace

Our salvation is only begun here. We have great expectations, based upon the character, promises, and faithfulness of our God, with regard to the future. “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). The Lord willing, I will talk to you a little more about this expectation tonight. For now, let me simply state that I live in the peaceful, confident expectation of three things:

A. A Glorious Rest

Hebrews 4:9 "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."

B. A Glorious Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:49, 51-57 "As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly...Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

C. A Glorious Reward

Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Illustration: The Robin’s Egg Shell

Application:

1 Samuel 2:1 "My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation." I hope that you can say the same. I rejoice in God’s salvation as...

1. The Expression of Grace.

2. The Experience of Grace.

3. The Expectation of Grace.