Everyone Needs Salvation

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction

We are currently in a message series called “All About Salvation.” Salvation has to do with eternal destinies, and it forces us to think seriously about what happens after death. What do Americans today believe about the afterlife, and how do those beliefs line up with what Scripture actually teaches.

Over 80% of Americans believe in life after death, and over 70% believe that heaven and hell exist. When you ask people where they think they will end up, only one-half of one percent believe that they will go to hell. Sixty-four percent believe that they will go to heaven, and 24% have no idea where they will go after death.

The bottom line is that the vast majority of people think that they will probably go to heaven, or at least have hope that they will go to heaven. Unfortunately, the majority of people in the United States will not go to heaven because they have not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. As believers, one of our main purposes in life is to be a witness for Jesus, pointing those around us to salvation.

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

A witness shares what they believe and have experienced with Jesus with everyone they know. Today, my message is entitled “Everyone Needs Salvation.” The Bible teaches that everyone, with no exceptions, needs salvation, and this truth must shape how we live and speak.

The common answer to what people need salvation from is their sins. However, the Bible teaches that what we need to be saved from is God’s wrath. God’s wrath is directed toward people because of their sin, and God’s wrath will ultimately result in people spending eternity in hell if they are not saved.

Romans 2:5 (NIV) But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

A Judgment Day is coming when God will separate the believers from the unbelievers. Believers will spend eternity in heaven with God, and unbelievers will spend eternity separated from God in a place called hell under God’s wrath. As believers, I don’t believe that we think about hell enough, even though Scripture speaks clearly about its reality.

Hell is a place far beyond your worst nightmares or the scariest horror movie you’ve ever seen, and it lasts forever. The people you know, if they die without putting their faith in Jesus Christ, will spend eternity in hell. The reality of hell should motivate us as believers to talk to everyone about Jesus.

Yet so often, we come up with all kinds of reasons not to talk to people about Jesus. Since everyone needs salvation, we need to talk to everyone about Jesus. Today, we are continuing in our study of the first three chapters of Romans in this series.

Jews Need Salvation

In New Testament times, many Jews felt that they did not need to believe in Jesus to be saved. Many did not recognize Jesus as the coming Messiah, believing that their heritage alone secured their standing before God. Paul directly confronts this assumption in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 3:1–2 (NIV) What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

The Jews felt that since their nation was God’s chosen people, they would go to heaven. Paul teaches that God entrusted His Word to the Jews, which was a great privilege and responsibility. However, the critical issue was not whether a person was Jewish, but whether they had faith in Jesus.

Some Jews Had No Faith

Romans 3:3–4 (NIV) What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

God desired every Jew to have faith and believe in Jesus, yet many did not. The unbelief of some Jews did not nullify God’s faithfulness or cancel His promises. There were godly Jews, including Paul himself, who did have faith and became followers of Jesus.

Faithless Jews Are Under God’s Wrath

Romans 3:5–6 (NIV) But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

Some Jews argued that God was unjust in bringing His wrath upon them. Paul responds by affirming that God is the righteous Judge of the entire world and is just in all His dealings. Jews who did not believe in Jesus then or now are under God’s wrath and will spend eternity in hell.

Recognizing Jesus as Messiah Is Essential

Even though many say they believe in the God of the Old Testament, Jews still need salvation just like everyone else. Belief in God apart from faith in Jesus is not sufficient for salvation. Salvation comes only through recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah and trusting Him as Lord and Savior.

Speaking Clearly About Jesus

Nancy Bailey shared a story in our Life Group about witnessing for Jesus. She gave a small scarlet gem to someone and said it reminded them of God’s love. When she added that it also reminded us of Jesus’ blood shed to forgive our sins, the person handed it back and said, “I’m a Jew.”

There are over 60,000 Jews in St. Louis, and they all need salvation. This experience reminds us that it is not enough to talk generally about God or His love. We must talk about Jesus and what He did to bring salvation to the world.

The key question is not what someone thinks about God, but what they think about Jesus. People have many ideas about God, but Jesus is a historical person who lived, died, and rose again in real history. Jews need salvation by putting their faith and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Everyone Needs Salvation

Paul now presses his conclusion that everyone needs salvation, whether Jew or Gentile. No one is exempt from sin or from the need to be rescued by God’s grace. This truth removes every excuse and every false sense of spiritual security.

Romans 3:9 (NIV) What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Every person has sinned, is under God’s wrath, and is bound for hell apart from salvation. Paul supports this conclusion with a series of Old Testament quotations that describe the universal condition of humanity without God.

No One Is Righteous

Romans 3:10 (NIV) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;"

No one is in a right relationship with God by their own merit. No one is destined for heaven apart from God’s saving work. Righteousness is not something we achieve but something we desperately lack.

No One Seeks God

Romans 3:11 (NIV) there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

People do not understand God’s ways or His Word. They do not seek the true God, even though they pursue many false gods and created things. That is why Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and why we must do the same.

No One Does Good

Romans 3:12 (NIV) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Although many claim to do good, Scripture teaches that our good works apart from Jesus are like filthy rags. Without Christ, our actions have no saving value before God. True goodness flows only from a life transformed by grace.

No One Fears God

Romans 3:18 (NIV) "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Unbelievers do not fear God or His wrath. They do not fear hell because they do not believe they will go there. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, yet apart from salvation, no one possesses it.

Everyone Is a Sinner

Romans 3:14–16 (NIV) "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways,"

The words, actions, and influence of those without salvation are marked by sin. Not every sinner sins in every way, but every sinner sins in many ways. The result is ruin and misery in their own lives and in the lives of others.

Everyone Is Accountable to God

Romans 3:19 (NIV) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

Every human being is accountable to God. One day, on Judgment Day, every person will give an account for the life God gave them. No excuses will remain, and every mouth will be silenced.

Everyone Is Conscious of Sin

Romans 3:20 (NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

No one can be declared righteous by keeping the law because no one can keep it perfectly. The law exposes our sin and reveals our need for salvation. Everyone, therefore, stands in desperate need of grace.

Talking to Everyone About Jesus

The takeaway is clear: we must talk to everyone about Jesus. Fear often keeps us silent, whether it is fear of rejection, awkward questions, or damaged relationships. Yet the eternal consequences demand courage and obedience.

If we do not talk to someone about Jesus, they may end up in hell. If we do not talk to them, who will? If we do not speak today, we may never get another chance.

When you talk to someone about Jesus, you will discover whether they are a believer or not. Believers welcome the conversation, and unbelievers need it, regardless of how they initially respond. Everyone needs salvation, and we must talk to them about Jesus.

Everyone Needs to Be Saved From God’s Wrath

Romans 5:9 (NIV) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

Salvation rescues a person from God’s wrath. Salvation saves a person from hell. Without salvation, God’s righteous judgment remains.

Everyone Needs to Be Saved From Hell

Jesus described what will happen on Judgment Day in Matthew 25. He will separate humanity into two groups, the sheep and the goats. Those who did not believe in Him will hear these terrifying words.

Matthew 25:41 (NIV) Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’

Hell was prepared for the devil and his fallen angels. Satan will not reign there but will be tormented forever. Those who reject Jesus will also experience eternal punishment.

Everyone Needs to Be Saved From Eternal Punishment

Matthew 25:46 (NIV) Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Hell is eternal punishment, and heaven is eternal life. Both states last forever, and once entered, the condition is permanent. This sobering truth must shape how we live and speak.

Telling the Truth About Hell

Understanding the horrors of hell should motivate us to tell others about Jesus. Yet very few churches teach clearly about hell anymore. As a result, false beliefs about eternity are widespread.

Many believe that all people will eventually be saved or that hell does not exist. Others believe in purgatory or second chances after death. These ideas contradict the clear teaching of Jesus and Scripture.

We must lovingly and boldly tell people the truth about Jesus and eternity. Silence allows falsehood to flourish and souls to be lost.

Conclusion

We are moving forward because we believe God is leading us in this direction. Together, we can be more effective in reaching people for Jesus than we could ever be apart. Everyone needs salvation from God’s wrath.

Without salvation, many we know and love will spend eternity in hell. May God help us reach many more people for Jesus and remain faithful witnesses until He returns.

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