Jesus is Our Savior

Welcome to Southwest!

• Message Series: “Behold Your King” (The Identity of Jesus)
• Last Week: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides us on our journey.

Today: Jesus is Our Savior

The Sermon in One Sentence: Jesus is our Savior who has rescued us from the power of sin and death by sacrificing himself on the cross.

Main Passages: Luke 2:4-21; Titus 3:3-8

What the Birth of Jesus Reveals About his Identity

Scripture: Luke 2:4-11, 21

• Good News! The first thing the angel says about Jesus after he’s born is that he is our Savior (and Messiah and Lord).
• The Name of Jesus: The angel chose the name “Jesus,” which means “The Lord Saves” or “The Lord is Salvation.”
• God wants everyone to know that his Son Jesus is the Savior of the World, so he says it a lot (see John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 2:20; 3:2; 1 John 4:14).

What Does it Mean that Jesus is Our Savior?

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible: Salvation refers to “God’s deliverance of a people or an individual from a threatening situation from which that group or person is unable to rescue itself. The threatening situation may range from political oppression, unjust accusations, military disaster, difficult labor or physical illness to a spiritual consequence of sinful behavior or the experience of God’s wrath.”

• When God rescues people from various types of disasters, the Bible uses the language of “salvation” to describe his deliverance.

Example: Chilean Mining Accident (2010)

• 33 men stuck 2,300 feet below ground in a collapsed mine.
• Safety ladders were missing, making escape impossible.
• First thing they said on the radio: “We’re fine; waiting for you to rescue us.”
• They were stuck, unable to rescue themselves, and in mortal danger.
• After 69 days, all 33 men were rescued safely.

Our Spiritual State Without Jesus

• We can’t rescue ourselves.
• We’re stuck in our sins.
• And our lives are on the line.

If we live in denial about our spiritual condition, our view of Jesus gets distorted.

The Seriousness of our Sin:

• Sin Separates us from God – Isaiah 59:1-2
• Sin Makes us Guilty — Romans 3:23
• The Power of Sin Enslaves Us — Romans 6:16

God wants us to be aware of these problems so we understand our need for Jesus the Savior.

Jesus Solves the Problem of Sin.

1. Sin separates us, but Jesus reconciles us back to God — Romans 5:10.
2. Sin makes us guilty, But Jesus makes atonement for our Sins — Romans 3:25.
3. The power of sin enslaves us, but Jesus died to set us free — Romans 6:22.

Before And After — Titus 3:3-8

Before Jesus: Foolish, Disobedient, Enslaved, A Life Full of Hatred (Titus 3:3)

Because of Jesus: Justified by Grace, Washed and Reborn, Heirs, Hope of Eternal Life. (Titus 3:5-7)

How God Accomplished This (Titus 3:4-7):

• The Kindness and Love of God
• By His Mercy (Not Our Righteousness)
• Washing, Rebirth, & Renewal of the Spirit
• By Being Justified by Grace

Conclusion:

• Blessing — A Savior who sacrificed everything to set us free.
• Responsibility — Trust in the Lord and do good. 
• Action — Be an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Study & Reflection:

1. Read Acts 16:11-34. Think back to the definition of “Salvation” that we discussed in today’s sermon. What are the different overwhelming situations that are part of this story?
2. In what way did the slave girl experience freedom or salvation in the story?
3. How did Paul and Silas experience salvation?
4. The jailer in the story was saved in multiple ways — how did he experience salvation?
5. Now read John 8:31-38. Why do you think Jesus compares sin to something that enslaves us?
6. How is it possible to become enslaved to something that isn’t physical? Why don’t people just stop sinning?
7. What is the key to experiencing freedom from the sin that enslaves us?
8. If salvation can refer to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, how does that impact the focus of our ministries at Southwest?
9. What is one area of your life where you need salvation — meaning an area or situation where you need God’s power to rescue you?
10. Application: What is one thing you feel God calling you to do differently as a result of these passages?