GREAT SAVIOUR
My memory is almost gone, but I remember one thing: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour. --John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace"
Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
When is the last time you stopped and gave thanks for the Saviour? Was it at Thanksgiving? It would do us all good to render thanks to the Lord each and every day. Not just over our meals either! We need to do it in the morning, during the day, at meals, and even when you go to bed. Scripture says to pray without ceasing. Well, pray; giving thanks for His grace! We deserved Hell but He has provided life and life more abundantly! Praise God for the Great Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom He sent to save our wretched souls!
OH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!
My memory is almost gone, but I remember one thing: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour. --John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace"
1 John 4:14, And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
I want to take this morning to praise the Lord for my salvation! A little over 28 years ago, on a kitchen floor, I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour! I have not always been what He has wanted me to be but He has been all that I have ever needed and more! He’s my rock, my shield, my deliverer, my Lord, my Saviour, my friend, my advocate, my defense, my all in all! That’s my Jesus! Is He yours? Do you know Him? You can! Ask Him to be your Saviour today!
SIGNATURES
A signature is an identifier of who you are or what you are known for.
Luke 2:49, And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
I grew up watching wrestling. (I know, it’s all fake. Until you get slapped across the chest with a Wahoo McDaniel chop that is!) Anyway, we went to matches in Greensboro and Raleigh, NC about two or three times a year. Sometimes we went to smaller events such as the one we had on my home town ball field. Whether in the big cities or on ball fields in small mill towns, the wrestlers were known for their signature moves, calls, or even “uniforms”. Ric Flair is known for his “Wooo”, Dusty Rhodes for his figure four, Sting for his make-up, Hacksaw Jim Duggins with his two-by-four on his shoulder, and Ivan and Nikita Koloff for being Russians. Each one of these men portrayed some signature move, had a special call, or piece of their uniform to sell their image, to identify them.
In the book of Luke, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had went to Jerusalem to worship. On the way back home, they had realized, Jesus was missing. When they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him, they found Him in the Temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” When asked, “What are you doing?” He said, “I must be about my Father’s business.” He came here with no other purpose than that of God’s Will. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. That is Jesus’ signature!
Friend, it ought to be our signature as well! We ought to be about our Father’s business! If we are not, we are missing the purpose of the church; to spread the Good News of the Gospel.
What is your signature? What are you known for?
BE ASSURED
"The Lord is my Shepherd," not was, not maybe, not will be. "The Lord is my Shepherd"-is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and is in war; in abundance and in poverty. -Taylor
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:19-20
Who is Jesus to you? If He is anything less than Lord and Saviour, you’ve missed who He is! You’ve missed the reason He came to the Earth. You’ve missed the peace He gives to all who repents and trust Him as Saviour! You’ve missed the fullness of the joy salvation brings!
Have you missed who Jesus is? GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning with this prayer on your mind, “Lord Jesus, show me who you are today!” If you go seeking Him, He will show you who He is, but you must respond!
NEVER TOO MUCH LIGHT
There is not darkness enough in all the world to put out the light of one little candle. –Epitaph
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14
I was watching an informational video yesterday and the lecturer was talking about things to do when you are getting ready to sell your house. He said, “There is never too much light. Light makes rooms look big and darkness makes rooms look small.” There is a lot of practical wisdom in that statement concerning the ascetics of a house ready for the sell.
Child of God, you and I are the Light of the World and that Light is Jesus. Much more important than any house being prepared to be sold is the life needing so much Light it will convince a lost person to be saved! A lost person needs to see and hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. A lost person needs to hear without Jesus we are helplessly trapped in our sinful condition but if we repent of our sin and trust Christ as Saviour, we are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb.
How much Light is your life reflecting today? Is there any?
WE NEEDED A SAVIOUR
God gives exactly what we need, when we need it, right in the place we are at. He gave us The Saviour of the world!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Jesus’ greatest title is Saviour. Even though He is the greatest teacher to ever live, even though He is the greatest physician to ever live, even though He is the wisest person to ever live, He didn’t come to be or do any of those things. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost—He came to save!
What do you know about Jesus? Do you know He came to redeem His creation? Do you know He offers salvation to every man, woman, boy and girl in the world… including you and me? Archibald Alexander said, “All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass-Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour? Have you repented, trusting Him for salvation? He will save you right now if you ask Him! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD
Trust Christ and you shall live. The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners. –Spurgeon
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
Often my mind goes back to a time before my salvation, a time when life was empty and I was longing for something to fill it. A time when I would do the things sinners would do to attempt to fill an empty life. I am thankful to be reminded of where God has brought me from. But much more than that, I’m thankful for how far God has brought me through His shed blood!
Take a moment and reflect on how good God has been to you this morning! He shed His blood for our wretched life! Oh what a Saviour!
OUR GREAT GOD AND GLORIOUS SAVIOUR
Here is my creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render Him is doing good to His other children. --Benjamin Franklin
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3
When I consider all the Lord has done for me, I can’t help but shout with praise! He saved my sin sick soul. He gave me my faithful wife. He gave me three children. He called me into the ministry. He gave me a church to pastor. He has provided every single need I have ever had and thrown in so many wants I cannot begin to count them all. Rejoice with me this morning in all He has done in your life!
Reverential Fear, a must need in today’s society
I fear God, and next to God I chiefly fear him who fears Him not. --Saadia Ben Joseph
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Fear” is the prevalent attitude in today’s society. While to some degree it may be honorable, it is a dangerous way to live your life. If you do not have a reverential fear of the Lord that gives you the air you breathe, the food you eat, and can save your wretched soul, you my friend are standing in a dangerous place.
My CPA, a Christian man, recently shared with my wife and I, “You can know how much someone fears the Lord by doing a survey of their checkbook and their calendar.” Man that sure is the truth! Where you spend your money and time speaks volumes as to how much you fear the Lord.
If I were to see your calendar or your tax returns what would they reveal about your life?
JESUS, THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME!!!
Jesus Christ is light to the eye, honey to the taste, music to the ear, joy to the heart. –Spurgeon
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
So what are you known for; the things you are against or the things you are for? While standards are good and necessary if that is what defines you and I in our ministry, we have missed the message of the Gospel! What is that message? Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’ just something about that name!
WHAT IS GOD TO YOU?
He’s my LORD and SAVIOUR!
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14
If you had to describe God to someone else, how would you describe Him? He described Himself to Moses as “I AM” or the God who becomes. “Becomes what?” you may ask. Well what are you in need of today?
If you need comfort, He’s the God of all comfort. If you need to be redeemed, He’s The Redeemer. If you need grace, He’s the God of all grace. If you need forgiving today, He forgives the vilest sinner. If you need someone to talk to, He’s just a prayer away—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and He throws in an extra day on leap year!
Who is God you ask, well here let S.M Lockridge explain it to you: https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE
AND THEN THE LIGHT BULB CAME ON
I suppose they say of me, 'He is a radical; he is a fanatic; he only has one idea.' Well, it is a glorious idea. - D.L. Moody
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:13-14
As we are looking forward to that glorious appearing of Jesus Christ there will be those scoffers that rise up and have something to say about the message. We are not to concentrate on those insignificant weasels that would have the whole world to go to hell in a hand basket. We are to continue on with the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the message; He came into the world as a babe in a manger but would die a sinner’s death on a tree to redeem mankind. He came seeking to save that which was lost. And you and I get to watch the “Light Bulb” of salvation come on in their life as we proclaim that message. We may be a radical and some may call us a fanatic but God has given us the privilege to spread the Good News of the Gospel! What a thought! What an idea!
I’M ALL ALONE… ARE YOU SURE?
When you have accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace; God is awake. -Hugo
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
I’ve been like the prophet Elijah when he said, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” When life’s joys are stolen from us by the thief of the night we find ourselves battling depression. We feel alone, helpless, and hopeless.
But Child of God be prepared for those times. They come to each one of us. They come when we don’t trust the Lord in times of trials and temptation. They come when we aren’t familiar with His promises. Promises such as, He will never leave us nor forsake us, He makes a way of escape during temptations, and trials increase our faith as we “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
No matter what you are going through Child of God—you’re not alone! The Saviour is with you no matter where you are! Call out to Him! Trust Him! Lean on Him! Rest in Him!
WHO’S YOUR KING?
Death may be the King of terrors... but Jesus is the King of kings! - D.L. Moody
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
In 2002, my Dad found out he had cancer. He graduated to Heaven in 2003. As I often reflect back on the days following his death I remember many friends sending prayers, food for the family, or even some money to help with expenses occurred. I can’t tell you who all was there but I remember one friend who shared these scriptures. And out of all of the food shared, prayers offered, this is what has sustained the test of time—scripture! I am thankful we have The King of kings! Rejoice with me this morning for The Saviour Reigns over death, hell, and the grave!
HE KNOWS…MY NAME??
There is a name in which I stand in awe of, that name is Jesus!
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
There is a very popular song that I love to hear, “He knows my name.” I have heard many people sing it down through the years but my most favorite rendition of it is sung by the Rochester family. They will bless your heart.
I love that song but I couldn’t sleep this morning so as I lay there in the bed I got to thinking, He knows everyone’s name, even the hairs on their head, but how many people know Him? How many people know Him as Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, or The Prince of Peace? How many people know the name of Jesus as Lord and Saviour?
Yes, He knows your name but the question this morning is, “In what way do you know Him?” Let today be a fresh start of knowing Him by asking Him to be your Lord and Saviour!
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones. -Beecher
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:15
On the first Christmas I see shepherds tending their sheep in the field. I see night had come and I imagine they were tired from the day’s responsibilities. I see there may have plenty of work left to do before getting a few winks. But what I don’t see are excuses. They said, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem”. They didn’t care they were tired. They didn’t care about the work that needed to be done. They didn’t care about anything other than going to see the Messiah. They saw a need to go and worship Him!
Have you already planned your day leaving out the most important part? Have you laundry to do, leaves to blow, or sleep to catch up on? STOP! Don’t let another opportunity pass you by! GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY…AGAIN!
The world has many religions; it has but one gospel. –Owen
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
My wife can watch the Hallmark channel for days on end. I am like, “Haven’t we seen this movie like 20 times already?” She says, “Well yeah!” with a smile on her face. I am not much on reruns. They kind of bore me! I mean how many times can a man watch Mrs. Miracle, A Country Wedding, or A Royal Christmas? UGH!
Well, there is one story I love to hear and I love to hear it again and again. It’s no fairy tale. It has no made up story plot. It’s a real story about real people. Those people being you, me, and our Saviour. It’s the Gospel story of The Saviour’s love for a lost and dying world. It’s the story of redemption. It’s the story of sacrifice. It’s the story of victory. It’s the story that has the potential of setting you free from your sin! Oh we could go on and on but I will leave you with this one thought; “What have you done with the message of the Gospel?”
LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT JESUS!
Jesus Christ is light to the eye, honey to the taste, music to the ear, joy to the heart. –Spurgeon
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11
The Lord tells us everything we need to need about Jesus! He is the Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and The End of everything. Before time existed He was. Before matter existed HE was. Before space existed He was. He is the redeemer of mankind. He is sinless. He paid the price to buy you of the auction block of sin. He can break those chains of sin you are tied up with. The sin that so easily besets you, He shed His blood for that and because He did you can be free from it! That’s just a little bit about my Lord and Saviour! I hope today you will see how good He is and trust Him to be your Saviour if He isn’t already!
Go Tell It on the Mountain...and everywhere else too!
You will never make a missionary of the person who does no good at home. He that will not serve the Lord in the Sunday school at home will not win children to Christ in China. –Spurgeon
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Psalm 96:3
We need to share the Gospel with every man, woman, boy, and girl we come in contact with. Why, you may ask? Because God said so for one and the second reason is they need to hear about the Saviour as well! They need to be saved!
Preacher, I just can’t do that! Well, let me share with you what the Lord says, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33
If you are saved you will be doing something to share the Gospel! It is a responsibility God has given to every saved person, not just the Pastor! So who are you going to tell today?