Christ: Our Savior and Defender

Hanging of the Greens

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God stand forever.

pray..

Years ago Bill Withers would write a song with somewhat basic lyrics that became an anthem for friendship and protection. In times when loneliness and helplessness would arise, it reminded you of the assurance of safety found in true friendship.

Lean On Me: (Unity and Support)

Lean on me, When you’re not strong

and I’ll be your friend

I’ll help you carry on

For, it won’t be long

’Til I’m gonna need

somebody to lean on

Tucked away in this wonderful song is this line:

If there is a load you have to bear That you can't carry I'm right up the road I'll share your load

As we celebrate this season, We need to remember that Christ being born was God’s way of saying “I will carry the load for you.” You can’t live life without me, I will be your savior and Defender!

The idea of Protection, the thought of needing someone to defend you is not something that jumps to our minds first as prepare for the Advent season. The season we remember and celebrate the first coming of Christ. We think of joy and peace and gifts; but the need of a defender is probably not in the top ten.

Last week, George preached from Isaiah 19:20

“20 It will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.”

We need to see and be reminded that God is the only savior and defender who’s comfort brings lasting satisfaction.

CS. Lewis in The Problem of Pain says this:

“God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from.”

Lewis mentions this a reminder of the reality that God is a mighty and merciful defender of His People.

Long before we knew we needed help; God the father, Son, and Holy Spirit wrote up the plan for redemption. We know it as the Covenant of Grace: God the Father (Godhead) promised to prepare a human body for God the Son, anoint Him with the Spirit, support him in his atoning work and deliver him from the power of death and seat him at his right hand. Jesus had to be born under the law and obey the will of God the father without sin; to pay the penalty of sin and merit salvation for the elect.

Salvation was given to the world on the cross and was vindicated in his resurrection. But before all of this could take place; Jesus had to be born in human form.

how did this happen? Christ became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary who gave birth to him yet He was sinless.

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

matthew 1:22-23

Matthew 1:22–23 ESV

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Call his name Jesus-the name Jesus is a transliteration of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the LORD is salvation.”

The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

The Holy Spirit explains the name, for he tells us the reason for the name of Jesus: “He will save his people from their sins.” “Savior” is the meaning of the name, but it has a fuller sense hidden within, for in its Hebrew form it means “the salvation of the Lord,” or “the Lord of salvation,” or “the Savior.”

Spurgeon again:

The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

It is given to our Lord because he saves—not according to any temporary and common salvation, from enemies and troubles—but he saves from spiritual enemies and especially from sins. Joshua of old was a savior; Gideon was a savior; David was a savior; but the title is given to our Lord above all others because he is a Savior in a sense in which no one else is or can be. He saves his people from their sins

Joshua in the OT did great things for God’s people, yet the Second Joshua, Jesus would save people from their sin. He fought this battle alone. His person and finished work on the cross have given us …the redeemed ….Hope and Security that we are God’s children and will one day enter the Promise Land of God’s Presence.

God gave us something we never would seek out on our own. Left to ourselves; we would chose all of the wrong things. By nature, being children of wrath; we chose death and sin. We would chose to walk in darkness and move further away from God.

But God being rich in mercy loved us despite our sinfulness and ordered the plan of salvation for all of those who would turn from their sin, put their faith in Christ.

I realize there are many expectation of Jesus during this Advent season: restored health, increased success and influence and the list goes on….Begin the Advent season with an open heart filled with Hope because of Jesus our Savior and Defender

let’s pray

Jesus, thank You for coming to save all those who call on You. We often get wrapped up in our own self-righteousness and feel like our salvation is done and over with, but You desire a continual renewal of our hearts; “Search us , God, and know our hearts … if there is any offensive way in us , and lead us in the way everlasting”

dismissal…see bulletin

benediction:

A Hopeful Benediction Be people of hope. Let hope live in your heart and share the hope of Christ with all you meet.