There is a powerful Scripture chorus from years ago that goes like this:
He’s the Savior of my soul, My Jesus – my Jesus…
He’s the Savior of my soul – He’s the Savior of my soul!
Jesus – Jesus – Jesus – Jesus… He’s the Savior of my soul –
He’s the Savior of my soul!
NEED FOR A SAVIOR
MATTHEW 1:21 …you shall call His name Jesus, for He will SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.”
JOHN 3:16,17 – For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the WORLD to condemn the WORLD, but that the WORLD through Him might BE SAVED!
(Please note, as I did this week, that the word WORLD is mentioned 4 times in those 2 verses). There can be no question about it, this message of salvation is for the WORLD!
WE ARE ALL SINNERS!
We are ALL sinners! Jesus came and bore our sins for us. He was our substitute sacrifice. He took the death penalty of sin for us
Romans 3:23; 6:23 – “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. “The wages of sin is death…”!
THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17, 21
21 – For He made Him who knew no sin to be SIN FOR US, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
17 – If any man is in Christ he is a new creation, OLD THINGS pass away, ALL things become NEW!
WOMAN AT THE WELL – JOHN 4
She can represent ALL people!
Jesus revealed her sinful life-style. We are ALL sinners. Paul even said that he personally was the chief of sinners… (I Timothy 1:15)
Story summary…
Jesus was tired from a long trip, sitting on the edge of Jacob’s well in Sychar, a Samaritan village when a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink of water and told her if she knew who He was she would ask Him for a drink, and He would give her living water.
She was puzzled about what He meant. He explained further about the water of life. Thinking He was talking about physical water, she asked for some that water so she wouldn’t have to keep coming to the well to get water.
Jesus knew that she was living with someone who wasn’t her husband. When He revealed to her that He knew about that – she perceived that Jesus was truly a prophet…
Jesus went on to reveal himself to her as the gift of God, the long awaited for Messiah they were expecting would come.
The woman got so excited that she left her waterpot (earthly vessel – the reason she had come to the well in the first place was to get water) went into the city, and told them she had met the Messiah.
Many people from the city came to him to see. Many believed on him because of the woman’s testimony – “He told her all that she had ever done…”
They wanted Him to stay there with them, so he stayed several days. Many more believed on him because of his own word.
John 4:42 – …and (they) said to the woman, now we believe, not because of what you said, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!
SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
Have you ever wondered “why” the Samaritan people from Sychar described Jesus that way, after spending several days with Him?
It must have been because of what He said and did, and who they personally saw He was that convinced them to believe that!
John, one Jesus closest disciples also described Jesus that way.
I John 4:14 – And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as —SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!
I John 2:2 .. if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation (substitute sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the WHOLE WORLD.
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus in Luke 2, we also see a revelation of Jesus coming as Savior of the WORLD…
Luke 2:10,14 – Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to ALL people... “Glory to God in the highest, And ON EARTH peace, goodwill toward men!”
Revelation 5:9 – And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of EVERY TRIBE AND TONGUE AND PEOPLE AND NATION…
Psalm 67:1,2 …God bless us…that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among ALL NATIONS.
Isaiah 45:22“Look to Me, and BE SAVED, ALL you ends of THE EARTH! For I am God, and there is no other.
Acts 4:12 – Nor is there SALVATION in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must BE SAVED.
I Timothy 4:10 – …we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men (…who came to save all people), especially of those who believe .
Psalm 91:14-16 – Because he has set his love upon me… with long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
Let’s determine to faithfully “set our love upon the Lord”. He wants us to love Him with all of heart, soul, mind and strength. As we do that, we can expect a fulfillment of His promises, for He cannot and will not lie!
There are many more exciting verses about salvation in the “message notes” at the website if you are interested to study this theme further. Salvation is a very important revelation from the Lord, and the Bible has lots more to say about it!
SALVATION
Salvation has a deep, multi-faceted meaning with a number of definitions. One of the definitions has to do with being “rescued” as in “rescued from perishing”.
When the disciples were in the storm, and Peter started to sink beneath the waves when he was walking on the water, they cried out to the Lord to “save” them. It was a cry for help, expressing desire to be rescued from perishing.
Matthew 8:25 – Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
Matthew 14:30 – But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
ZACCHAEUS
When Jesus visited him, his life was transformed! “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9)
CONVERSION
When we are converted – our life is changed! Sinners are converted! (Ps. 51:13) James 5:20 – let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
MATTHEW 18:3 – …except you are converted… you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
BORN AGAIN
Many don’t realize that it was Jesus who talked about how important being “Born Again” is. It isn’t just becoming part of an organization that calls themselves by that name. It has to do with being born into the family of God! (John 1:12,13)
JOHN 3:3 – Truly truly I say unto you, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
SINS ARE FORGIVEN
I John 1:7,9 – But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
ALL THINGS BECOME NEW
Old things pass away, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
We receive assurance of eternal life through Jesus (I John 5:11-13).
Many do not have assurance of eternal life.
We can know that we are saved. We can have a personal relationship with God.
I John 5:11-13 – And this is the testimony: that God HAS given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
JOHN 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they may KNOW YOU, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
JOHN 5:24 – … I say to you, he who hears My word and BELIEVES in Him who sent Me HAS everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
ROMANS 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God IS ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord.
JOHN 3:36 – He who believes in the Son HAS EVERLASTING LIFE; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
REPENT
LUKE 13:3,5 – I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
BELIEVE
ACTS 16:30-31 – (The jailer asked Paul and Silas) “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
MARK 16:16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
RECEIVE
JOHN 1:12-13 – But as many as RECEIVED Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were BORN, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD.
REVELATION 3:20 – Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I WILL COME IN to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
CONFESS
ROMANS 10:9-10 – that if you CONFESS with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth CONFESSION is made unto salvation.
PRAY
ROMANS 10:13 – For “whoever CALLS on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
continue / abide
ROMANS 11:22 – Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, IF YOU CONTINUE in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
JOHN 15:4,6 – Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
the gospel
preach the gospel
MARK 16:15-16 – And He said to them, “Go into ALL THE WORLD and PREACH THE GOSPEL to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE?
The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to this world to bring. It is the good news about salvation, deliverance, healing, and the abundant/overcoming life that He makes possible.
What the world needs is the GOOD NEWS! There is enough bad news everywhere. People need the gospel!
ROMANS 1:16 – I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
ROMANS 10:14-15 – How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
What is your world? This wonderful message is worthy of proclamation!
Who can you SHARE this message with? You can share it with family; friends; neighbors, school, workplace, wherever you go and whenever you can.
SAVED BY FAITH
EPHESIANS 2:8,9 – For by grace you have been SAVED through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT of works…
BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL
ROMANS 15:29 – But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the BLESSING OF THE GOSPEL of Christ.
The Bible reveals so many blessings of beings saved. The following are a few of the blessings that salvation brings:
Joy; strength; overcoming power; mercy and forgiveness; favor and blessing; etc…
ISAIAH 12:3 – Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of SALVATION.
PSALM 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my SALVATION; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
WITNESSING
ACTS 1:8 – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be WITNESSES TO ME…
Let’s be BOLD WITNESSES! Let’s tell this good news to others, and help them to come to the assurance of salvation!
“tell it”
The demon possessed man who was delivered was given some special instructions by Jesus.
LUKE 8:39 – “Return to your own house, and TELL what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Has Jesus done some great things for you? Are you willing to tell others about it?
reasons jesus came
HE FULFILLED PROPHECY
He fulfilled prophetic revelation and promise – He was the promised “Messiah” – “SAVIOR OF THE WORLD”!
HE REVEALED GOD’S GREAT LOVE
EPHESIANS 2:4-7 – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His GREAT LOVE with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)… 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of HIS GRACE in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
NEED FOR A “SAVIOR“
We all needed a “Savior” to save us from the consequences of sin – to be the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! He came to bring life, and destroy death and all the works of the devil. (John 10:10; I John 3:8)
HE CAME TO SAVE THE LOST
MATTHEW 18:11 – For the Son of Man has come to SAVE that which was lost.
REASON FOR LIVING
I PETER 3:15 – … be READY always to give an answer to every man that asks you a REASON of the hope that is in you…
Is Jesus your SAVIOR?
2 CORINTHIANS 6:2 …NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.
JESUS INVITATION
Parable of the “great supper”… some made excuses. Real estate (lands); Oxen (animals); Marriage (people) were among their many excuses. (Luke 14:15-24)
LUKE 14:23 – Then the master said to the servant, “GO out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be FILLED
REVELATION 22:17 – … Whosever will let him come…
