Save Me! I am a Sainted-Sinner - Sermon 3
Series: You Need A Hug - Comfort In The Changes Of Life
1 John 1:8
Ps. 119:94
Introduction - The angel of the Lord, in announcing the birth of the Savior, declared that His name should be Jesus because He would have the power to save people from their sins. The deep significance of such a gracious message is sometimes missed as we give a too general application; although it is perfectly legitimate to do so. We must not use it exclusively to describe the great work of salvation in the lives of those who realize their sinfulness.
Note the precise language of this angelic utterance, "He shall sace His people from their sins"(Matt.1: 21). Such a declaration implies that Jesus is the savior for saints as well as sinners. that there is a gospel for the redeemed and regenerated, as well as for the rebellious. So we come to the theme of our consideration, namely, the salvation of which we as Christians stand in deep need.
1. The Savior for Sinners
Paul gives us the gospel for a world of lost sinners in the words, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). Such a message proclaims Him to be the savior of mankind, irrespective of race, position, or condition. Let me stop a moment to ask you if, as a lost sinner, have received Christ as your personal savior? If not, then, here and now, you can prove him to be a savior, mighty to save and strong to deliver.
2. The Savior of His People
"Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins". Here his people were those in covenant relationship with him. There is a sense in which we are all his people, seeing that all of us were brought into being by his creative and divine art. In Matthew 1:21, it is those beyond this connection who are implied. The message is to those who are already His, "I am thine, save me".
Futher, the word used is sins, not sin. The Lord Lesus is the Savior of saints in that He seeks to save them from the fruit of sin as well as from the root of sin. When we receive him as our savior in response to the appea; of the gospel, He deals with the principle of sinning which is ours from birth. THe appropriation of his finished work of Calvary means we are made recipients of a new life. The inner meaning of the verse says that we are following on to know the power of Christ more completely in heart and life. It means deliverance from the fruit of sin, that is, from the different manifestations of the evil princple inbedded in sin. The root was dealt with at the cross, but the fruit remains. Thus Jesus is "the savior of all men, especially of those who believe" (1 Tim.4:10). The first aspect of salvation is dependent upon the death of Christ. He died for sin and rose again to justify the sinner. As we receive him by faith, we are saved from the penaly and guilt of sin. The second aspect is dependent upon His intercession. We are saved by His life, not the example of His spotless earthly life, but by His present, risen, glorifiedd life. " He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for thee" (Heb. 7:25).
