2022.01.23 - The Most Important Question

In our text today, a sin-hardened, pagan jailer asks the most important question that has ever been uttered in the history of the world. He asks, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Today, I would like for us to examine that question for a few minutes. As we do, I am going to ask each of you to ask not only that question but to ask the second most important question every believer must ask. “What must I do to help others find the answer?” This passage not only poses the questions, it, also provides the answers. I) THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THIS QUESTION A) He Was Moved By Fear It was the fear of his own punishment and death that drove him to the feet of the Apostle Paul that night in Philippi. Every person who gets saved comes to Jesus by faith. However, the road that leads them to Him may be different for all! The question the jailer asked was important, but the answer he received was just as important. If you hear the wrong answers about how to be saved, you will never get to know God. 1) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED? a) Definition of Saved - To rescue from harm and from danger. b) The Danger we all live with - Until we are saved, everyone in this room is in terrible danger. Why? 1. We are all sinners (Rom. 3:23) You may not think you are a sinner, but anything that we do which violates the Law of God is a sin. In truth, we are born into this world as sinners. We are guilty before God when we are born, Psa. 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 2. We are all headed to Hell (Rom. 6:23) This verse tells us that there is a price on sin. If we do not come to Jesus for salvation, then God has no choice but to send us to Hell. B) He Was Moved By Faith It is interesting to note that this jailer did not take the time to secure the prison or the prisoners. His first thought was for his own salvation. Many have read this and thought that he is just trying to save his skin. I think he was interested in saving his soul. What is or has God used in your