Untitled Sermon (4)
LOOK AND BE SAVED
TEXT: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” (Isa. 45:22).
INTRODUCTION: A man borrowed a large sum of money; a wealthy friend signed the note with him. Financial reverses came and the borrower was in grave trouble when the due date arrived. In great distress, he went to his friend, deeply grieved. His friend said, “I signed with you knowing that this situation could arise; put away your fears and look to me for the full payment.”
And so God says, “Look to me.…”
I. Look and live.
Think of the brazen serpent: When “he would look at the bronze serpent” he lived (Num. 21:4–9).
Recall Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (see John 3:14–15).
And John said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
II. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
A. Peter “walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid” and sank. He ceased looking to Jesus (see Matt. 14:25–31).
B. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” and do not look away because of difficulty. Keep on looking to Him.
C. “Let us run … looking to Jesus … the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1–2).
III. The steadfast look on Jesus is a transforming look.
A. “Look to him, and be radiant” (Ps. 34:5). Radiant Christians are those who look to Him. They are “aglow with the Spirit.”
B. “Beholding the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
CONCLUSION: Tell the story of The Great Stone Face, by Nathaniel Hawthorne with suitable application.