Chuck Smith explores the profound question of 'Who can be saved?' by examining the nature of salvation from both negative and positive perspectives. He emphasizes that salvation is necessary due to the power of sin, guilt from past actions, and the inevitable judgment that follows. Smith reassures that while it is impossible for man to save himself, with God, all things are possible, highlighting that true salvation is a miraculous act of God through Jesus Christ. He encourages believers to understand that Christianity is not a restrictive experience but rather the ultimate liberation from sin and guilt.

"WHO CAN BE SAVED?" I. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SAVED? A. From a negative standpoint. 1. The power of sin, "Who all of their lifetime were subject to bondage." a. The power of sin to enslave a person, by whatsoever a man is overcome by the same is he brought into bondage! 1. Big men can be enslaved by such small things -- Phil Harris, "Smoke, smoke..." 2. Men overcome by greed. 3. Men overcome by lust. 4. Men overcome by alcohol. 2. The guilt of my past sins. a. Most psychologists agree that the majority of neurosis come from guilt. b. Man's conscience is God's built-in restrictor. 1. Think what it would be like to try to live in a society where no one had a conscience. c. It would be correct to say that many people have been driven crazy by their conscience. 3. The judgment due me for my sins. a. "The wages of sin is death." b. "It is appointed unto man once to die." c. Saved from the wrath to come. B. From the positive side. 1. He is saving me for an eternal place of joy in His kingdom. a. "In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forever more." b. "That in the ages to come..." 2. Saved to a life of freedom and true liberty. a. So many look at Christianity as a restricting experience. b. Not so, it is the most liberating experience in the world. II. WHAT CAN BE SAVED? "WITH MAN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE." A. No man can save himself from the slavery to his own fleshly desires. 1. "That which is born of flesh is flesh." B. No man can fully atone for his past guilt. 1. You cannot undo the past. 2. Sins are like nails driven into a board, you may remove the nail but the mark still remains. C. No man can escape death. 1. Run as hard and as fast as you can, it will still catch up with you. D. No man can climb into heaven on his own. 1. Jesus said, "I am the door for the sheep." III. WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? "WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE." A. Many have been discouraged with Christianity because they have sought to master its principles and follow its precepts without knowing its power. 1. Salvation is a miracle. a. You don't need to get up tight if someone says to you, "It would take a miracle to save you. b. It took a miracle to save each one of us. B. I am glad that God is a God of miracles and He is able to save to the uttermost all who will come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Just believing in Jesus.