Jesus: Our Savior and Source of Eternal Hope
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truth that Jesus is our Savior, a title that encapsulates His mission and purpose for humanity. As we enter the Christmas season, it's essential to remember that Jesus is the reason for our celebration. Our church, part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, is committed to making Jesus known worldwide, and we do this by sharing the fourfold gospel: Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. Over the next few weeks, we will delve into each of these aspects, starting today with Jesus as our Savior.
We explored the book of Titus, where Paul writes to his young protégé, Titus, who was tasked with organizing new believers in Crete, a place notorious for its moral decay. Paul emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and proper behavior, urging believers to focus on the worth of their salvation. He reminds us of our past depravity, our rescue through Jesus, and the inheritance we receive as heirs of eternal hope.
Our depravity, as described in Titus 3:3, highlights our spiritual deadness and need for salvation. Despite our attempts to justify ourselves through good deeds, we remain spiritually corrupt without Christ. This reality is mirrored in today's world, where hostility and division are rampant. Yet, in our darkest moments, God's love and mercy shine through, offering us salvation not because of our righteousness but because of His grace.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love, redeeming us from sin and restoring us to eternal hope. Through spiritual regeneration, we are reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, becoming heirs of an everlasting hope. This transformation is not a result of our efforts but a miraculous work of God, turning our mess into a masterpiece for His glory.
As we celebrate this season, let us remember that Jesus saves us to become heirs of an everlasting hope. This message of the gospel is too good to keep to ourselves. Let us share it with those around us, inviting them to experience the miracle of salvation and the joy of knowing Jesus as their Savior.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus as Our Savior: Jesus' title as Savior is not just a name but a declaration of His mission to rescue humanity from sin and spiritual death. This profound truth is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our celebration this season. [31:37]
2. The Reality of Depravity: Our spiritual depravity is a stark reality that alienates us from God. Despite our attempts to justify ourselves through good deeds, we remain spiritually corrupt without Christ. This truth challenges us to recognize our need for a Savior. [36:27]
3. Redemption Through Love: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love, redeeming us from sin and restoring us to eternal hope. His love and mercy are the driving forces behind our salvation, not our righteousness. [47:43]
4. Spiritual Regeneration: The miracle of spiritual regeneration transforms us from spiritual death to new life in Christ. This process is not about behavior modification but a complete renewal by the Holy Spirit, making us heirs of eternal hope. [54:39]
5. Justification and Eternal Hope: Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, we are justified and declared righteous, becoming heirs of eternal hope. This profound theological truth assures us of our salvation and inspires us to live in gratitude and worship. [58:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Thanksgiving Reflections
- [01:15] - Jesus: The Reason for the Season
- [02:45] - Introduction to the Fourfold Gospel
- [04:00] - Jesus as Savior
- [05:30] - Exploring the Book of Titus
- [07:00] - The Reality of Depravity
- [09:00] - Redemption Through Love
- [11:00] - Spiritual Regeneration
- [13:00] - Justification and Eternal Hope
- [15:00] - Invitation to Salvation
- [17:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [19:00] - Final Blessings and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Titus 3:3-7
Observation Questions:
1. What does Titus 3:3 reveal about our condition before knowing Christ? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual depravity discussed in the sermon? [36:27]
2. According to Titus 3:4-5, what is the basis of our salvation, and how does this contrast with our own attempts at righteousness? [47:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of spiritual regeneration mentioned in Titus 3:5? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation? [54:39]
4. What does it mean to be justified by grace, as mentioned in Titus 3:7, and how does this assurance of eternal hope impact our lives? [58:06]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon illustrate the reality of our spiritual depravity and the need for a Savior? What examples from today's world were used to highlight this condition? [40:35]
2. In what ways does the sermon explain the concept of redemption through love, and how does this reflect God's character? [47:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs through spiritual regeneration, and why is this process essential for believers? [54:39]
4. What is the significance of being declared righteous through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, and how does this understanding shape our identity as heirs of eternal hope? [58:06]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life before knowing Christ. How does recognizing your past depravity help you appreciate the gift of salvation more deeply? [36:27]
2. In what ways do you find yourself trying to justify your actions or earn God's favor? How can you shift your focus to rely more on His grace and mercy? [47:43]
3. Consider the transformation that spiritual regeneration brings. How have you experienced this renewal in your own life, and how can you continue to grow in your faith? [54:39]
4. How does the assurance of being justified and declared righteous by God influence your daily life and interactions with others? [58:06]
5. The sermon emphasized sharing the message of salvation with others. Who in your life needs to hear about the hope found in Jesus, and how can you share this message with them this week? [01:04:39]
6. Reflect on the concept of being an heir of eternal hope. How does this promise motivate you to live a life of gratitude and worship? [58:06]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust in God's grace. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him and embrace the freedom He offers? [47:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Mission to Rescue Humanity
Jesus as our Savior is not merely a title but a profound declaration of His mission to rescue humanity from sin and spiritual death. This truth forms the foundation of Christian faith and is the reason for celebration, especially during the Christmas season. The Christian and Missionary Alliance emphasizes making Jesus known worldwide, focusing on the fourfold gospel: Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. Understanding Jesus as Savior involves recognizing His role in delivering us from our past depravity and offering us an inheritance of eternal hope. This salvation is not earned by our deeds but is a gift of grace, highlighting the depth of God's love and mercy. [31:37]
Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
Reflection: Consider how you can actively participate in Jesus' mission to rescue others. Who in your life needs to hear about the hope and salvation found in Jesus, and how can you share this message with them today?
Day 2: Recognizing Our Need for a Savior
The reality of our spiritual depravity is a stark truth that alienates us from God. Despite our attempts to justify ourselves through good deeds, we remain spiritually corrupt without Christ. This understanding challenges us to acknowledge our need for a Savior. In the book of Titus, Paul emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and proper behavior, urging believers to focus on the worth of their salvation. He reminds us of our past depravity and the rescue we receive through Jesus, highlighting the transformation from spiritual deadness to new life. This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where hostility and division are prevalent, yet God's love and mercy offer salvation through grace. [36:27]
Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV): "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific area of your life where you have tried to justify yourself through good deeds. How can you surrender this area to Jesus and rely on His grace for transformation?
Day 3: Love as the Driving Force of Redemption
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love, redeeming us from sin and restoring us to eternal hope. His love and mercy are the driving forces behind our salvation, not our righteousness. This profound truth assures us of our salvation and inspires us to live in gratitude and worship. The message of redemption through love is a central theme of the gospel, emphasizing that salvation is a gift of grace, not earned by our efforts. As we celebrate this season, let us remember that Jesus saves us to become heirs of an everlasting hope, and this message is too good to keep to ourselves. [47:43]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience the love and redemption of Jesus. How can you demonstrate Christ's love to them in a tangible way this week?
Day 4: The Miracle of Spiritual Regeneration
The miracle of spiritual regeneration transforms us from spiritual death to new life in Christ. This process is not about behavior modification but a complete renewal by the Holy Spirit, making us heirs of eternal hope. Through spiritual regeneration, we are reborn and renewed, becoming a masterpiece for God's glory. This transformation is a miraculous work of God, turning our mess into a masterpiece. As believers, we are called to live in this newness of life, reflecting the hope and joy of our salvation to the world around us. [54:39]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you need spiritual renewal. What steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to bring transformation and new life in this area?
Day 5: Assurance of Justification and Eternal Hope
Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, we are justified and declared righteous, becoming heirs of eternal hope. This profound theological truth assures us of our salvation and inspires us to live in gratitude and worship. Justification is not based on our righteousness but on Jesus' sacrifice, which redeems us from sin and restores us to eternal hope. As heirs of this hope, we are called to live in a way that reflects our gratitude for the gift of salvation, sharing the joy and hope of the gospel with those around us. [58:06]
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: Reflect on how the assurance of your justification and eternal hope impacts your daily life. How can you live in a way that reflects your gratitude for this gift of salvation and inspires others to seek the same hope?
Quotes
"Because it's this title that declares not just who Jesus Christ is, but what Jesus Christ has come to do for you and me and for a lost and dying world that's desperate for salvation. Can I get an amen?" [00:31:37] (13 seconds)
"Jesus Christ saves us that we might become heirs with an everlasting hope. That's pretty much the thesis point of this message and what Paul wants to communicate to this young protege named Titus." [00:35:44] (14 seconds)
"The reality of our depravity hits us like a ton of bricks. And Paul's not pulling any punches. He says in this text that you and I outside of Jesus Christ, we're foolish. He says we were disobedient." [00:36:27] (15 seconds)
"It'll have us thinking that we're actually okay and decent people without need of a savior. And so we rationalize to ourselves, by comparing ourselves with those around us, and we say, you know what? I'm not that bad of a person because that person's a little bit worse than I am." [00:39:03] (17 seconds)
"All of us were spiritually lost at one time. All of us were alienated from God, dangling in distress due to sin and facing the imminent wrath of Almighty God. But just when you thought it was all over, the Father sent us his Son, the Savior, Jesus, to rescue us and redeem us from all sins." [00:46:08] (21 seconds)
"The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear that there's no way you could earn your way to heaven. There's no way. And so Jesus was motivated, not because you was a good person. Jesus was motivated out of his love. It was love that sent Jesus to rescue us." [00:47:43] (17 seconds)
"He rescues us from our depravity. He redeems us by his mercy and his love. But thirdly, you know why else we worship this great, mighty, and awesome Savior? It's because he restores us to eternal hope." [00:57:39] (14 seconds)
"Jesus fulfills this by offering his body and offering his blood and offering his death that we might be, and that's why we call him the Lamb of God. And now what happens as a result of Christ's sacrifice for us is that God's wrath is averted once and for all." [01:00:18] (18 seconds)
"In other words, as a result, the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, by faith, we become justified, and at the end of the day, by being justified, this means we become just as righteous as Jesus himself, because of what he did for you, because what he credited to your account." [01:01:49] (19 seconds)
"He deposits, and that's not all. After he pays our debt, what Jesus did is he turns around and he deposits into our account an infinite sum of his grace. An infinite sum of his mercy. An infinite sum of his righteousness. So that you and I will never go broke again." [01:03:34] (21 seconds)
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