Why Call Him Savior?

The Glory of God’s Promise of a Savior

Introduction:

What is in a name?

There have been many books written on how to choose a name for your child.

Some spend a long time picking out just the right one.

I have certainly heard some doozies. You probably have too!

I’ve noticed a resurgence of old names, like Eleanor, Julia, Betty, Henry, and Oliver.

But, there is no other name like that of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has been called:

Lamb of God

Man of Sorrows

Prince of Peace

Good Shepherd

Mighty God

Bright and Morning Star

Daystar / Dayspring

Balm of Gilead

Rock

Judge

Bread of Life

Teacher

Light of the World

Servant

The King of Kings

Lord of Lords

The Truth, The Life, and The Way

I cannot help but think of that great song:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; There’s just something about that name.

Master, Savior, Jesus; like a fragrance after the rain;

The Bible uses more than 300 names and titles to describe Jesus, but Jesus can not be contained or encapsulated into just a name. He is so much more than that!

Dr. David Jeremiah states, “Jesus is the name of the Lord’s personality, and Immanuel is the name of His proximity to us. But Savior! Oh, that name! That is the name of the Lord’s earthly mission.”

Will you stand with me in reverence to the Word?

Luke 2:10–11 (KJV 1900)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

There are three things concerning The Savior I want to bring to your attention today:

1. The Promise of the Savior

Luke 2:11 KJV 1900

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This was something that Isaiah prophesied some 700 years before Jesus’ birth. Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Not only did Isaiah predict the Savior’s birth, but God reiterated that promise to Joseph:

Matthew 1:21 KJV 1900

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

There is the promise of the Savior and also there is:

2. The Purpose of the Savior

Luke 2:11 KJV 1900

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Why did Jesus come?

Lets look at the story told in Luke 19 about a man named Zaccheuous

Luke 19:1–9 NLT

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

Here it is, Jesus gives us the answer:

Luke 19:10 (KJV 1900)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

A. The Savior Is Needed to Seek the Lost

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

We often say I’m so glad I found the Lord, but that is not exactly good theology.

We didnt find Him because He was never lost. We are the ones that were lost, so He found us.

He sought us out!

Isn’t that a totally amazing revelation? God sought us out.

I don’t know about you, but there are times in my life where I felt like the last kid picked during a pick-up game. No one wanted me on their team. Have any of you experienced that?

The fact that Jesus sought me out, brings me to my knees in gratitude. You may be sitting here thinking that you may not be much to many people. But to the creator of Heaven and Earth, you are worth seeking after. Praise the Lord!

Luke gives us 3 examples in Chapter 15 : The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son. In each of these examples, when the owner finds that which was lost, there is a great celebration!

And so it is when God seeks and saves every lost sinner, there is a great celebration in heaven and in the body of believers!

Jesus came to seek the lost.

I am for one so glad he found me! How about you?

The Savior seeks the lost and

B. The Savior is Needed to Save the Lost

Picture sailors clinging to wreckage (EXPLAIN)

collapsed mine - miners stuck

These are temporary, earthly examples

Just like those who are clinging to life in the frigid waters, calling out for help, we need to call out to God to save us from ourselves, from the sin that does so easily trip us up.

God is faithful to forgive each and everyone who calls upon him!

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

There is the promise of the Savior, the purpose of the Savior, and also:

3. The Provision of the Savior

Luke 2:11 KJV 1900

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

A. A Fact of History - “Is Born This Day”

There was a specific moment in time in which the Lord was born into humanity.

This is not contested. He was born, he did walk this earth and he did die a brutal death on the cross.

The Bible records this historical event as do many other sources.

Though His birth has so much more meaning than just a history lesson, it is a matter of fact: Jesus was born!

B. A Fulfillment of Prophecy - “In Bethlehem, the city of David” NLT

Micah 5:2 (KJV 1900)

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah,

Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;

Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Again, prophecy has been foretold 700 years before Jesus was born and it has come to pass. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

C. A Foundation for Eternity - “Unto You is Born… A Savior”

Jesus Christ is OUR Savior!

“God entered into humanity so humanity could enter eternity” Dr. David Jeremiah

You see Jesus’ birth was something that happened in a specific point in time but it began something that will NEVER end!

Jesus came to save us and give us eternal life.

There are so many people who are sad during this time of the year due to the loss of a loved one or a job. Its time to take our eyes off our circumstances and put them on Jesus.

He is:

John 1:29 (KJV 1900)

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Matthew 2:2 (KJV 1900)

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

John 20:28 (KJV 1900)

And Thomas answered and said unto him, MyLord and my God.

Christmas is not about presents but its about God’s Presence!

You may have lost loved ones, but know that you have a Father who is close.

You may get depressed, but know that there is One who loves you with and everlasting love today!

Story of Jake

There is the story of an old schoolhouse in the country where no teacher had stayed for any length of time. The young mean-spirited boys made it there mission in life to drive everyone off who tried to teach them.

One day a young man applied for the job. The director of the school told him that he had his work cut out for him. The young man said the he was willing to risk it.

On the first day, he walked into the classroom to find all the boys gathered around the class bully, Jake. Jake wasn’t afraid of anyone, especially some new teacher. He blurted out, making sure the new teacher could hear, “I’ll take care of this one just like the last one. He won’t be here long.”

The young teacher, couragously stood before the class and said “I’ve come to teach you but I am going to need your help.” He expressed to the class that they were going to need some ground rules and asked for their suggestions.

One kid piped up, “No stealing!”

The teacher said, “Thats good” and wrote it on the board.

Another kid shouted out, “Nobody can be late.” He added it to the board and this continued until they collectively came up with an agreed list of ten rules that they would all follow.

The teacher then went on to explain that it didnt do any good to have these rules if there was no penalty for breaking them. That’s when Jake stood up and exclaimed that anyone who breaks the rules should get 10 licks across the back.

They all agreed.

The next day, Jake found that his lunch was missing and told the teacher that someone stole his lunch. After questioning every child, it was discovered that Johnny, one of the smallest kids in the class had taken it.

He said, “I’m sorry, I was hungry and I didn’t have anything.”

The teacher said, “You know that the penalty is 10 licks!”

The young boy begged, “Please don’t make me take my coat off.”

The teacher made him take it off and disovered the poor boy had no shirt, just a pair of jean and a pair of suspenders holding his pants up.

The teacher ponderd for a second what he was going to do. He couldn’t whip this poor kid but he had to keep his word and uphold the rules.

He asked the young boy where his shirt was. The boy answered that after his dad died, his mom was real poor. He only had one shirt and his mom washed it every other day. On the days he didnt have his shirt, he wore his brother’s coat.

The teacher torn, stood with the paddle and mustered up what courage he could to punish the young boy. That’s when Jake stood up and made his way to the front of the class and asked, “Teacher, if you don’t object, I’ll take the licks for him.” The teacher began to whack Jake and after about 5 good whacks, he paused to find the whole class crying especially the young boy who stole the lunch.

He couldn’t stop holding on to Jake and telling him how sorry he was for stealing his lunch. This broke all of their hearts that day and the young boy loved Jake the rest of his life for being his savior.

We have all broken the rules, haven’t we? But Jesus came and took the beating for us all. He took the punishment that I deserved. He is my Savior.

Luke 2:11 KJV 1900

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Do you know Him as your Savior? I want to encourage you today to call on Him.