𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬’𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗗 — 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡’𝗧

WHY MANY THINK THEY’RE SAVED — BUT AREN’T

(And Why Only the Gospel of Christ Saves)
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION – THE MOST DANGEROUS DECEPTION

One of the greatest dangers in Christianity today is false assurance.
Many are religious, moral, and church-going, yet lost.

Jesus warned:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord…” (Matthew 7:22)

In this Dispensation of Grace, salvation is not by works, rituals, feelings, or religion, but by believing the Gospel revealed to Paul.

Today, we expose 9 false reasons people think they are saved—and contrast them with God’s truth.

PERFORMANCE — “I AM A GOOD PERSON”
Romans 3:10; Titus 3:5

A. Human Comparison – Measuring against others, not God
B. Hidden Corruption – Good deeds cannot erase sin
C. Hopeless Confidence – Trusting character instead of Christ
Good people don’t go to heaven—saved people do.

PRAYER — “I REPEATED A PRAYER”
1 Corinthians 15:2; Acts 16:31

A. Words Without Faith – Prayer is not belief
B. Ritual Reliance – Salvation is not a formula
C. Gospel Requirement – Belief in the Gospel saves
You are not saved by saying words, but by believing facts.

PARTICIPATION — “I BELONG TO A CHURCH”
Ephesians 1:22–23; Galatians 1:6–7

A. Local Membership – Joining a building doesn’t save
B. Doctrinal Mixture – Many churches preach another gospel
C. Body of Christ – Only Spirit baptism places you in Christ
Church attendance ≠ Salvation.

PRACTICE — “I DO GOOD DEEDS”
Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 4:5

A. Works After Salvation – Not before
B. Boasting Excluded – Grace eliminates pride
C. Faith Alone – Works cannot justify
Works prove growth, not salvation.

PLUNGING — “I WAS WATER BAPTIZED”
1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 4:5

A. Israel’s Ordinance – Baptism belongs to another program
B. Not the Gospel – Paul separates baptism from salvation
C. Spiritual Baptism – Spirit baptism saves today
Water never washed away sin—blood did.

PHENOMENA — “I HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE”
Colossians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 11:14

A. Feelings Deceive – Experiences can be counterfeit
B. Angelic Deception – Satan transforms as light
C. Faith Defined – Faith rests in Scripture, not sensations
Experience without truth is dangerous.

PERCEPTION — “I FEEL SAVED”
Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 1:12

A. Feelings Fluctuate – Truth does not
B. Faith Comes by Hearing – Not emotion
C. Assurance by Scripture – God’s Word secures salvation
You are saved by what Christ did—not how you feel.

POWER — “I HAVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS”
1 Corinthians 13:1–3; Matthew 7:23

A. Gifts Without Grace – Gifts don’t equal salvation
B. Temporary Sign Gifts – Belonged to Israel
C. Gospel First – Gifts follow salvation, not replace it
Ability is not identity.

PIETY — “I KEEP COMMANDMENTS / TORAH”
Galatians 2:16; Romans 6:14

A. Law Cannot Save – It condemns
B. Grace Reigns Today – We are not under law
C. Finished Work – Christ fulfilled the Law
Law-keeping denies grace.

THE TRUE REASON WE ARE SAVED

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV)
Christ Died for our sins
Christ Was Buried
Christ Rose Again
Believe this—and you are saved forever.

CONCLUSION – ARE YOU RESTING OR RELYING?

False assurance leads to eternal loss.
Right doctrine leads to eternal life.
Religion says: DO
Grace says: DONE

CALL TO ACTION – BELIEVE THE GOSPEL TODAY

Stop trusting:
Works
Church
Feelings
Rituals
Start trusting: THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST ALONE
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Goodness won’t save
Prayers don’t save
Churches don’t save
Works don’t save
Water doesn’t save
Experiences don’t save
Feelings don’t save
Gifts don’t save
Law doesn’t save
ONLY THE GOSPEL SAVES