Behold, He Saves

Devotional

Day 1: Behold, He Saves: Mercy, Not Our Works

Behold means stop and pay attention: God’s saving kindness has appeared in Jesus. Christmas is more than a manger; it is the arrival of rescue. You do not have to lift yourself by your own works or pretend you are enough. He came on purpose, to save and adopt all who trust Him. Rest today in mercy that does the saving and let that mercy steady your heart [03:50].

Titus 3:4–5: When God’s goodness and faithful love became visible in Jesus, He rescued us—not because we piled up righteous deeds, but because He is merciful—giving us new birth and making us new through the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: Where are you still trying to “earn” what Jesus already gives, and what is one concrete way you will practice receiving His mercy today rather than proving yourself?

Day 2: Remember Who We Were Before Christ’s Rescue

Scripture invites you to remember, not to shame you, but to anchor you in grace. We were once foolish and disobedient, easily misled, driven by cravings and pleasures, spending our days tangled in malice and envy, resenting and being resented. There is a real enemy who blinds minds and a noisy inner tape that needs replacing. Let the Word of God rewrite that tape, telling you who you are in Christ. Honest remembrance makes room for comfort and joy [08:14].

Titus 3:3: We used to be unwise and rebellious, wandering off the path, enslaved to urges and delights, wasting our days in ill will and jealousy—being disliked and disliking in return.

Reflection: Of the areas named—intellectual (foolishness), moral (disobedience), spiritual opposition (being led astray), psychological (malice/envy), or social (hating/hated)—which have you noticed this week, and how might a specific Scripture speak into that spot?

Day 3: Regenerated and Renewed by the Holy Spirit

Salvation is God’s work from start to finish: He awakens a new appetite for Christ you didn’t produce yourself. That spark of desire is regeneration; the Spirit opens your heart and turns you toward Jesus. Renewal is the Spirit’s ongoing care—conviction, correction, and comfort that keep you from fading. Do not despise His discipline; give thanks that He keeps working. You are justified by grace and kept as an heir with a living hope [24:25].

Titus 3:5–7: He saved us through the new birth He gives and the steady renewing work of the Holy Spirit—whom He poured out generously through Jesus—so that, made right by sheer grace, we become heirs who hope in eternal life.

Reflection: What fresh desire or conviction has the Spirit stirred in you lately, and what simple, practical step will you take to cooperate with His renewing work this week?

Day 4: In the Fullness of Time: Adoption

At the exact right moment, God acted; He sent His Son into our world, truly human and under the law, to redeem those under its weight. Christmas is not merely a sentimental scene; it is Emmanuel—God with us—fulfilling a plan formed before time. In Jesus, you are not merely forgiven; you are adopted. He chose you, placed His name on you, and welcomes you into His family. Let belonging quiet the fear that you are on your own [02:34].

Galatians 4:4–5: When the time was full, God sent His Son—born of a woman and under the law—to buy our freedom from that law, so we could be received as sons and daughters.

Reflection: In what situation do you feel spiritually “orphaned” right now, and how will you practice living as an adopted child—speaking to the Father, receiving His care, and resting in His name?

Day 5: Devoted to Good Works, Gentle and Unified

Grace reshapes how you live in public and in private. Be ready for every good work, show gentleness, and extend courtesy to all; resist the reflex to quarrel, slander, or spiral into foolish controversies. Where possible, live in submission to governing authorities as part of your witness, knowing God is the higher magistrate. Avoid divisive patterns, and when necessary set wise boundaries with persistently divisive behavior. Let your life make the gospel look as beautiful as it truly is [33:44].

Titus 3:8–9: You can trust this: believers should take care to dedicate themselves to good works—these things benefit people. But steer clear of senseless disputes and arguments that go nowhere, because they are useless and empty.

Reflection: What specific context (home, work, online, neighborhood) most tempts you toward quarrels or contempt, and what is one gentle, concrete alternative you will practice there to pursue peace and do good?

Sermon Summary

Behold, He saves. In this Advent series we’ve walked from promise to person to purpose: the prophets said He would come, the Gospels show He did come, and the epistles explain why He came—He saves. Paul’s words frame the season: when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son to redeem and adopt a people for His name (Galatians 4:4–5). Christmas is not sentiment alone; it’s God’s eternal plan arriving in time.

Titus 3 helps us see the grace of it all. First, remember who we were. Scripture doesn’t flatter: foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to passions, spending our days in malice and envy, hated and hating. That touches every dimension—intellectual, moral, spiritual, psychological, and social—and reminds us a real enemy opposes faith. Yet God meets us there.

Then rejoice in what God has done. “When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us”—not by our works, but according to His mercy—“by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Regeneration is not water; it’s God’s mercy creating a new appetite for Christ, a spiritual awakening that precedes our repentance. Renewal is the Spirit’s ongoing work that keeps us—convicting, correcting, and reshaping us so that we endure in faith. All of this leads to justification by grace and adoption as heirs, people who live now with the hope of eternal life.

Finally, respond in a new way of life: submissive to rulers, ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one, avoiding quarrels, and showing perfect courtesy to all people. Our public posture is part of our witness. We refuse unprofitable controversies; we shepherd the divisive with firmness and love. The law of Christ’s kingdom is love and His gospel is peace. Emmanuel came near so we could be made new and learn to live as a people of grace, truth, and unity.

Key Takeaways

1. Remember who you were honestly [08:14] We were not simply “imperfect”; we were spiritually enslaved and relationally broken. Naming that reality breeds humility and compassion toward others caught in the same web. It also awakens gratitude, because grace only amazes those who know what they’ve been rescued from. Honest memory fuels hopeful faith. [08:14]
2. Mercy, not merit, secures salvation [17:07] If this could be earned, the cross would be unnecessary. Salvation is not a wage paid for performance but a gift given to the undeserving. That frees us from anxious scorekeeping and births a sturdy assurance anchored in Christ’s finished work. Confidence grows where self-trust dies and mercy is embraced. [17:07]
3. Regeneration precedes repentance and renewal [22:48] God awakens the soul before the soul turns; new appetite comes before new action. That awakening is grace, not technique, and renewal is the Spirit’s ongoing work that convicts and preserves. Don’t despise holy discomfort—it’s evidence you’re being kept. Cooperation looks like repentance, receptivity to Scripture, and responsive obedience. [22:48]
4. Live gentle, unified, ready for good works [33:06] Submission to authorities, refusal to slander, and courtesy to all are not weakness; they are witness. We avoid unprofitable quarrels not because truth is small but because love makes truth livable. Unity requires courage to confront divisiveness and wisdom to choose edifying paths. Good works become the natural fruit of a rescued people. [33:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Series recap: Behold, He Saves
[01:56] - Fullness of time—Galatians 4:4–5
[04:38] - Titus 3:4–5: He saved us
[06:40] - Three moves: remember, rejoice, respond
[08:14] - Our condition before Christ
[12:55] - The reality of spiritual opposition
[14:11] - Renewing the mind by Scripture
[17:55] - Salvation by mercy, not works
[19:51] - Regeneration explained (not baptism)
[22:48] - Regeneration precedes repentance
[23:46] - Renewal: conviction that keeps us
[27:28] - Submissive, gentle, ready for good works
[33:44] - Handling divisive people biblically
[34:51] - His law is love; His gospel peace

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- TITUS 3:1–11

Observation questions

In Titus 3:3, what words describe our condition before Christ? Which of those words feel most concrete and why?
According to Titus 3:4–7, who is the active subject in salvation, and what phrases show what He did and how He did it?
What public postures and patterns does Paul command in Titus 3:1–2 and 3:8–11? List both the do’s and the don’ts.
“Washing of regeneration” and “renewal of the Holy Spirit” are central in Titus 3:5. What was explained about what regeneration is and is not? ([19:51])

Interpretation questions

Why is honest remembrance of our past (Titus 3:3) a pathway to humility and compassion toward others who are still stuck? How do the intellectual, moral, spiritual, psychological, and social layers deepen that honesty? ([12:15])
“He saved us… not because of works… but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). How does this truth expose the lie of spiritual scorekeeping and bring rest to the heart? ([19:04])
“Regeneration precedes repentance.” What does that mean practically, and how does it shape the way a person hears the call to turn to Christ? ([22:48])
If renewal is the Spirit’s ongoing work that convicts and keeps believers, why is holy discomfort actually good news? How might this change the way someone responds to conviction? ([24:25])

Application questions

Remember who you were: Which phrase from Titus 3:3 most honestly names your own “before” story? How does remembering that change how you speak to a friend or family member who is still there right now? ([08:14])
Mercy, not merit: Where do you still feel pressure to earn God’s approval—performance at work, parenting, ministry, private spiritual habits? What simple daily practice could help you rehearse mercy instead of scorekeeping (for example, praying Titus 3:4–7 each morning)? ([17:07])
Regeneration and repentance: Think of a time when a new appetite for Jesus began in you before your actions changed. Where do you sense that new appetite stirring now, and what step of repentance will you take this week—turning from a specific sin and turning to a specific obedience? ([22:48])
Renewal’s discomfort: Where is the Spirit making you uncomfortable right now (a habit, a relationship, a hidden motive)? What would a humble, concrete response look like in the next 48 hours? Who could you invite to pray with you for strength? ([24:25])
Public witness: Evaluate your words this week—in person and online. Did you speak evil of anyone, quarrel needlessly, or fail to show courtesy? What one change will you make (for example, pausing before posting, replacing sarcasm with blessing, choosing silence over a fight)? ([28:51])
Unprofitable controversies and divisive people: What recurring argument keeps pulling you in that you know is unprofitable? What would it look like to step away with grace? Is there a person you need to warn lovingly and set a boundary with for the sake of unity? ([33:44])
Ready for good works: What specific good work is right in front of you this week—a neighbor’s need, a coworker’s burden, a family chore, a church opportunity? Name it, plan the first step, and ask the Lord for strength to follow through. ([33:06])

Sermon Clips

Most of you in this room have had an experience of new birth where you believe the gospel and you surrendered to Christ.You came to God and trusted Him for your eternal life and for your life here and now.Most of us have experienced that.Maybe there's some of you in the room that haven't experienced that and I pray you will today because God is kind and merciful and extends to all who will believe the gift of eternal life. [00:07:29] (39 seconds) #ExperienceNewBirth