Jesus: Our Savior and Source of Redemption
Summary
The sermon titled "Saving His People" delves into the profound significance of Jesus' role as the savior, as foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. The pastor, whose name is not discernible from the title, begins by discussing the commandments and our inability to adhere to them perfectly, highlighting our inherent sinfulness. Jesus, however, took on our sins by becoming cursed and crucified, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
The pastor then reflects on the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where they faced discouragement and complained against God and Moses. This tendency to romanticize the past and blame God for present difficulties is paralleled with Adam and Eve's actions in Eden. The pastor urges listeners to trust in God's timing rather than their own.
Further exploring the Israelites' narrative, the pastor speaks on the consequences of sin and God's discipline, emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness from both the offended party and God. The power of prayer is highlighted through Moses' willingness to intercede for the people who had previously expressed grievances against him.
The angel's message to Joseph about Jesus' birth is underscored as a pivotal moment, revealing Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin. This message complements the one given to Mary about Jesus being the Messiah. The pastor also draws attention to the importance of community during times of discouragement, encouraging believers to seek support and prayer from godly individuals.
The pastor expresses gratitude for the Christmas season and the story of redemption it represents, thanking various ministry teams and encouraging the congregation to help those in need. The sermon also touches on the challenges of leadership and the importance of praying for those who have wronged us, using Moses as an example of such character.
The story of Moses and the bronze serpent is used to illustrate the simplicity of salvation through faith, while also cautioning against turning religious symbols into objects of worship. The pastor explains that Jesus' crucifixion is the fulfillment of this Old Testament symbol, as He took on the sins of the world.
The pastor invites those uncertain about their faith to seek assurance through accepting Jesus' sacrifice and encourages persistent prayer for others. The sermon also recounts Joseph's initial intention to divorce Mary upon learning of her pregnancy, but an angel reassures him of the divine nature of Jesus' conception.
The concept of grace is discussed, with the pastor reminding listeners that while Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid for sin, it does not negate the consequences of our actions. The pastor also shares personal Christmas memories, emphasizing that the true picture of Christmas is found in Scripture, not cultural expectations.
Key Takeaways:
- The commandments serve as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and inability to achieve righteousness on our own. Jesus' crucifixion, symbolized by the cursed serpent on a tree, offers a powerful antidote to sin. By accepting Jesus as our savior, we are invited into His glory, a transformation that requires surrender and faith in His saving grace.
- The Israelites' complaints in the wilderness serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of discontent and impatience. We often idealize the past and blame God for our current struggles, forgetting His provision and timing. This narrative challenges us to maintain a perspective of gratitude and trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives.
- God's discipline is an expression of His love, and our sins have both vertical and horizontal implications. Seeking forgiveness is a two-fold process that involves reconciliation with both God and those we've wronged. Moses' example of intercessory prayer, even for those who complained against him, demonstrates the power of prayer and the heart of a godly leader.
- The angel's message to Joseph about Jesus' purpose to save His people from their sins underscores the core of the Christmas story. It's not about the festivities or cultural traditions, but about the arrival of the Messiah who would offer redemption and hope to a fallen world.
- The bronze serpent in the Old Testament and Jesus' crucifixion in the New Testament both symbolize the simplicity of salvation through faith. While the serpent became a misused relic, Jesus' sacrifice remains the eternal remedy for sin. This act of love invites us to look to the cross for healing and to embrace the gift of eternal life through belief in Him.
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)
> "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'"
2. Numbers 21:4-9 (NIV)
> "They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!' Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
3. John 3:14-16 (NIV)
> "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Joseph's initial reaction upon learning of Mary's pregnancy, and how did the angel's message change his perspective? ([38:18])
2. In Numbers 21, what was the Israelites' complaint against God and Moses, and what was God's response? ([44:33])
3. How does the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 serve as a symbol for Jesus' crucifixion according to John 3:14-16? ([01:03:20])
4. What does the angel's message to Joseph reveal about Jesus' mission? ([40:19])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Joseph was described as a "just man" and how did this influence his decision regarding Mary? ([38:18])
2. How does the story of the bronze serpent illustrate the concept of salvation through faith? ([01:03:20])
3. What parallels can be drawn between the Israelites' complaints in the wilderness and our own tendencies to blame God during difficult times? ([45:13])
4. How does the angel's message to Joseph and the message to Mary complement each other in revealing Jesus' purpose? ([40:57])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged or impatient with God's timing. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently in the future to maintain trust in God's plan? ([47:08])
2. The Israelites' complaints led to severe consequences. How can we cultivate a heart of gratitude and avoid falling into a pattern of discontent? ([45:13])
3. Moses prayed for the very people who complained against him. Is there someone in your life who has wronged you that you need to pray for? How can you start this process? ([57:55])
4. The bronze serpent was a simple yet powerful symbol of salvation. What are some simple acts of faith you can practice daily to remind yourself of Jesus' sacrifice? ([01:00:59])
5. Joseph's obedience to the angel's message required great faith. What is one area in your life where you need to step out in faith and trust God's guidance? ([38:18])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of community during times of discouragement. Who in your life can you turn to for godly support and prayer, and how can you strengthen those relationships? ([48:27])
7. The pastor shared personal Christmas memories to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas. How can you focus on the spiritual significance of Christmas amidst cultural and commercial distractions? ([33:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Righteousness Beyond the Law
The commandments reveal human imperfection and the need for a savior. This realization leads to an understanding that righteousness is not achieved by human effort but through faith in Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. [07:40]
Galatians 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'"
Reflection: How does recognizing your inability to fulfill the law lead you to a deeper appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice?
Day 2: Contentment in Divine Timing
The story of the Israelites in the wilderness teaches the value of contentment and trust in God's timing. It challenges believers to avoid romanticizing the past and to embrace God's provision in the present, even when it doesn't align with personal expectations. [07:40]
Numbers 11:5-6 - "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"
Reflection: In what ways might you be idealizing the past and how can you practice gratitude for God's current provision in your life?
Day 3: Forgiveness and Intercessory Prayer
God's discipline is a sign of His love, and seeking forgiveness is essential for healing both our relationship with God and with others. The act of intercessory prayer, as demonstrated by Moses, is a powerful tool for reconciliation and leadership. [07:40]
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Who do you need to seek forgiveness from, and how can you incorporate intercessory prayer for others into your daily routine?
Day 4: The Heart of Christmas
The angel's message to Joseph reveals the true heart of Christmas: Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin. This core message transcends cultural festivities and invites believers to reflect on the arrival of the Messiah and His redemptive work. [07:40]
Matthew 1:21 - "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Reflection: How can you keep the focus on Jesus' mission to save during the Christmas season and beyond?
Day 5: Simplicity of Salvation
The bronze serpent and Jesus' crucifixion both symbolize the simplicity of salvation through faith. This gift of grace is not to be taken for granted or turned into a mere religious symbol but to be received with a heart of belief and gratitude. [07:40]
John 3:14-15 - "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your faith remains focused on the simplicity of salvation through Jesus rather than on religious rituals or symbols?
Quotes
"When we are exhausted and discouraged, the best thing we can do is to find a Godly person to talk to, someone that you can trust. It is much better to go through something knowing that somebody is praying for you than it is for you to go through it alone." [48:27] (Download)
"Discouragement and impatience can lead me to blaming God for my circumstances... even if God has nothing to do with it." [45:45] (Download)
"Remember, you'll never know the power of your prayer when you intercede for someone else. Don't give up, don't be discouraged, keep doing what you're doing." [01:14:02] (Download)
"Every sin we commit is a sin against God... every sin has a vertical aspect in terms of just our life and people that are involved, but every sin also has a horizontal aspect because our sin is against God." [55:14] (Download)
"Jesus became cursed for our wrongdoing; he became part of our sin so we can become part of his glory. A cursed serpent providing the remedy to people impacted by the venom of that snake, and Jesus being cursed as a result of our sin." [01:08:16] (Download)
"Salvation is available to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus. It's not something that just happens on its own; we have to believe and surrender and give our life to Jesus in order for our sin to be taken care of." [01:09:48] (Download)
"God knows what we need the most. What we need the most is for He will save His people from their sins. Not a military leader, politician, or teacher, but a savior for our deepest need." [01:11:26] (Download)
"He will save his people from their sins which means one, we've all sinned and we all need saving and this purpose of Jesus coming to Earth to be a savior is the reason for Bethlehem, it's the reason for the first Christmas." [41:41] (Download)
"While he thought about these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, providing guidance and reassurance in a moment of profound uncertainty. This divine intervention shows that even when we cannot grasp the full picture, we are not left to navigate our trials alone." [39:40] (Download)
"The angel's message to Joseph reveals a purpose beyond their understanding: the child will save his people from their sins. This highlights the profound mystery and the divine plan at work, reminding us that our lives can carry a greater significance than we can perceive." [40:19] (Download)
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