Series: Knowing God [#21]
YESHUA- GOD SAVES
Isaiah 12:2
Introduction:
On this last Sunday of 2018, I want us to look at 1 more name of God. A couple of Sundays ago, I asked that you pray for me as I prepare for a new Sermon Series beginning in 2019. Part of the plan for 2019 sermons is that we dig deeper- That we begin to dig into the meat of the Word. Instead of starting next week to dig deeper into the Word, we are going to start today. As we prepare to start a new year, I want us to look at what should be our focus.
We have been looking at names of God that are found in the Old Testament. This morning we are going to study the name Yeshua, which is the Hebrew name for Jesus. Yeshua in the Old Testament is translated into English as Joshua. There are many, (especially Jewish scholars) who will say that the name of Jesus of Nazareth is never found in the Old Testament. That is true, if you are looking for that specific name; but there are also many Jewish scholars who will show you that the name Yeshua is found numerous times in the Old Testament.
Isaiah 12:2-3 (NIV)
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
The name Yeshua tells us that…
1. Jesus rescues.
The word salvation in this passage and several other passages is translated Yeshua. Before God created anything, He knew that Adam and Eve were going to sin; and that sin was going to cause a separation from Him. This separation was going to be eternal unless God intervened; and He did. God’s plan to rescue us from eternal death was to send His Son in the form of a man.
Luke 1:31-33 (NIV)
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
The most important thing for us to remember for the New Year is that Jesus came to this Earth in the form of a man not to make things better or easier for us; but to rescue us. We don’t need to be better, we need salvation. Everything we do should be about lifting up the Savior of the World. People don’t need to feel good about themselves; but be rescued from their sinful state.
Luke 4:17-19 (NIV)
“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
The name Yeshua tells us that…
2. Jesus delivers.
I must admit that at 1st, I had thought that salvation, rescue, and deliverance were the exact same things; but I was wrong. Yes, I am saying that salvation and rescue are the same in this sermon; but not deliverance. Salvation is gained when a person accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and walks in His steps. Deliverance, (in today’s terms) is usually used to refer to a person who gets set free from a bad habit, demonic oppression, addiction, fear, hate, health problem, or anything that holds them captive.
Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
What is it in your life that you require deliverance? Anything in your life that is hurting your relationship with God is evil and it needs to go away. Through Jesus, you can be delivered from that garbage.
Conclusion:
The meaning of the word salvation embraces deliverance, restoration, preservation, and glorification. That’s why the words salvation and deliverance can sometimes be used interchangeably. God used men like Moses and Joshua to deliver His people from the outward consequences of sin; but Jesus delivered His people from the power of sin.
Our victory is found in Jesus. As you prepare for this New Year, don’t focus on your New Year resolutions; but focus on Jesus and walk with Him.
