Saved By Faith

Saved by Faith

Introduction (John 3:14–16):
Salvation by faith is a familiar topic, but few understand what kind of faith truly saves. Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” True saving faith is always faith that acts in obedience to God’s commands.

Faith That Acts: Noah’s Example
When God told Noah to build the ark, he obeyed completely. Genesis 6:22 says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Why did he build the ark? He had never seen rain or a flood. He built it because he believed what God said. His faith moved him to act. Hebrews 11:7 says Noah was moved by faith to prepare an ark for the saving of his household. Faith without action would have left him to perish with the world. His faith was saving faith because it obeyed.

Faith That Obeys: Abraham’s Example
Abraham is another great example of obedient faith. God told him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. That command went against every natural emotion and expectation, yet Abraham obeyed. James 2:21–23 explains that Abraham’s faith was made perfect by his works. It was not when Abraham first believed that his faith was counted as righteousness—it was when he acted on that belief by obeying God. True faith always expresses itself through obedience. Faith that does not act is dead and cannot save.

Faith That Leads to Repentance and Confession
The Bible teaches that saving faith leads us to change our lives. Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). Repentance means turning away from sin and surrendering our will to God’s. Paul told the people of Athens that God “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Faith also leads to confession. Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” The kind of faith that saves is not silent—it confesses Jesus as Lord.

Faith That Obeys in Baptism
On the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, Peter preached that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. The people believed and were cut to the heart. They asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter told them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Their faith was genuine because it led them to obey. Baptism is not a work of human merit; it is an act of obedient faith. In it, God forgives sins and gives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Faith that stops short of obedience cannot save.

Faith That Looks to Christ
Jesus compared His crucifixion to Moses lifting the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14–15). The Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed. They were not saved by merely believing the serpent existed, but by obeying God’s command to look. Likewise, we are saved by looking to Christ through obedient faith. Belief must move us to act, just as those in the wilderness had to look.

Faith That Saves Today
The same God who saved Noah and Abraham still saves through obedient faith. Faith alone—belief without obedience—never saved anyone. James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Faith saves when it obeys God’s commands: when it leads to repentance, confession, baptism, and a life of continued obedience.

Conclusion
The faith that saves is faith that acts. It is faith that builds, follows, repents, confesses, and obeys. Noah, Abraham, and the faithful on Pentecost all show that salvation comes when faith works through obedience.

Saved by Faith Sermon Outline:

• Introduction (John 3:14–16)

  • Salvation by faith explained through the serpent lifted up.

  • True faith acts in obedience.

• Faith That Acts: Noah’s Example

  • Noah built the ark in faith (Genesis 6:22).

  • Faith moved Noah to obey (Hebrews 11:7).

  • Faith without obedience would not have saved him.

• Faith That Obeys: Abraham’s Example

  • Abraham’s faith shown through obedience (Genesis 22:1–19).

  • Faith perfected by works (James 2:21–23).

  • Obedient faith is living faith.

• Faith That Leads to Repentance and Confession

  • Repentance required (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30).

  • Confession required (Romans 10:9–10; Matthew 10:32).

  • Faith changes life and publicly acknowledges Christ.

• Faith That Obeys in Baptism

  • Pentecost example (Acts 2:36–38).

  • Belief must lead to obedience.

  • Baptism is the act of saving faith.

• Faith That Looks to Christ

  • Bronze serpent parallel (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14–15).

  • Looking in faith required action.

  • Faith saves when it obeys.

• Faith That Saves Today

  • Faith alone never saves (James 2:26).

  • Saving faith obeys all that God commands.

• Conclusion

  • Faith that saves acts in obedience.

  • Follow Noah, Abraham, and the apostles in faithful action.

Call to Action
True saving faith does not stop at belief—it moves to obedience. If your faith has not led you to repent, confess Christ, and be baptized, then it is incomplete. Today is the day to act. Let your faith be the kind that obeys all the way.

Key Takeaways

• Saving faith acts in obedience (Genesis 6:22; Hebrews 11:7).

• Faith is perfected by works (James 2:21–23).

• Faith leads to repentance and confession (Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9–10).

• Baptism is part of saving faith (Acts 2:38).

• Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

Scripture Reference List

• John 3:14–16 – Faith compared to the bronze serpent.

• Genesis 6:13–22 – Noah obeys by building the ark.

• Hebrews 11:7 – Noah’s faith led to salvation.

• Genesis 22:1–19 – Abraham’s faith in offering Isaac.

• James 2:21–26 – Faith made perfect by works.

• Luke 13:3, 5 – Repentance essential to salvation.

• Acts 17:30 – God commands all to repent.

• Romans 10:9–10 – Confession leads to salvation.

• Matthew 10:32 – Confessing Christ before men.

• Acts 2:36–38 – Faith obeys in baptism.

• Numbers 21:9 – Serpent lifted up as a type of Christ.

• James 2:26 – Faith without works is dead.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO