Jesus, the Savior

Introduction

What is wrong with the world? It is clear to most people there is something the matter with the world. As with anything, there a multiple opinions as to what the problem really is. It’s global warming, climate change, people being lazy, people being selfish, communism, capitalism, organized religion, big government, small government, the younger generation, the older generation, and many others.

When one is diagnosing the problem with the world, their diagnosis impacts what they will see as a valid solution. For example, if overpopulation is the main problem, the one might choose solutions which prevent life or end life.

People are correct in their analysis that there is a problem. However, people are mostly incorrect as to what that problem is.

Thankfully, the message of Scripture is clear. Here[s an example:

Romans 8:19–25 ESV

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

The problem in the world is man’s sin, our sin, your sin. The reason why this season can be special is that it gives occasion to remember how God solved the problem of sin. Since man’s sin is the problem, God in his supreme mercy, came in the person of Jesus the Messiah to once and for all rescue his chosen ones from their sin.

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

PRAY

Contextual Notes

The Dilemma of Joseph (18-19) Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

The Dream from Above (20) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit

The Deliverer of Sinners (21) She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The Divine/Human of Prophecy (22-23) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). The virgin shall bear a Son – The fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 / Immanuel – God with us (John 1:1; 1:14)

The Determination of Obedience (24-25) When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Jesus, God is salvation

The Deliverer, the Savior, Jesus Saves - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

From what does Jesus save? He will save his people from their sins.

John Piper has a good definition of sin in the following:

What is sin? The glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The promises of God not believed. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin!!!

Sin is a multi-faceted enemy for us. We are naturally born in love with sin. We are legally guilty of law-breaking. We are held in bondage to sin because we do not have the capacity to change. We are ultimately doomed in the presence of sin and its consequences. The good news is Jesus saves. Jesus (Savior; God saves) He will deliver his people (a statement of fact) From their sins– out of their sins

What does it mean to be saved from our sins? Jesus saves his people from sin in four ways. These are listed by A.W. Pink in his book Fourfold Salvation.

Jesus saves us from sin’s pleasure

John 16:7–8 ESV

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

When God is working powerfully in a person’s life, they begin to understand the nature of their sin against God. I believe this is a product of the new birth. When blind eyes are opened, they sin the heinousness of sin.

Paul Washer writes, “In the titanic work of conversion, God recreates the heart after His likeness in true righteousness and holiness. This radically altered heart has new and radically altered affections. Its love for self has been replaced by a love for God, and its thirsting for iniquity has been replaced by a hungering and thirsting for righteousness. To put it simply, the Christian now loves the God he once hated and hates the self he once loved; he now desires the righteousness he once spurned and despises the unrighteousness of which he once boasted”

Jesus saves us from sin’s penalty.

Romans 8:1–4 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Jesus saves us from sin’s power.

Romans 6:5–11 ESV

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Jesus saves us from sin’s presence.

1 John 3:2–3 ESV

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

William Gurnall - For the waging of a few days’ conflict, you will be rewarded with heaven’s glory. One moment of this celestial joy will dry up all you tears, heal all you wounds, and erase the sharpness of the fight with all the joy of you permanent victory.

Practical Application

Romans 10:8–13 ESV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Hebrews 7:22–25 ESV

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.