THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him, "Josoph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1.20-21
THIS SAVIOR SAVES US
1. FROM PERISHING BECAUSE OF OUR SINS.
"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3.16.
Believing in Jesus moves us out of the death of sin and into the life of Jesus. John 5. 24 tells us, "Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.."
"Action" words emphasize that when we believe in Jesus we are "transferred" out of a state (realm, condition, place) of death and moved into a state (realm, condition, place) of life.
We are given life with God. Our present defective bodies will be changed when we die and we will recieve a new, eternal body for this new life with God for ever and ever. Eph. 2.7.
THIS SAVIOR SAVES US
2. FROM THE SINS WHICH CONTROL US.
"Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus...Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires...For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Romans 6.11-14
God's eternal kingdom is the ultimate destiny for which God creates us and saves us. But, this great salvation of Jesus Christ applies to every moment of this life.
We can now combat the powers of sin that controlled us before we began to trust and obey Jesus as our Lord.
Jesus by His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, works within us to correct and re-direct
us for our new life. As we pray and seek His will, listen to our conscience, by read, meditate, memorize Scripture, submit to teaching, counsel, and encouragement with one another, we will develop patience and faith, praise, worship, and thanksgiving in victories of love, joy, and peace.
Such growth in grace lets us bring strength, encouragement, hope, faith, and comfort to all we pass day after day.
We bring "salt" and "light" to the lives of all we meet and know. God's goodness and mercy flows to and through us all the days of this life, and then we dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
THIS SAVIOR SAVES US
3. FROM THE ADVERSITIES THAT SIN HAS BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD.
Jesus tells us clearly that we will continue to suffer "tribulation" so long as we are on earth. This "tribulation" comes in the form of "weaknesses, insults, persecution, hardships, and difficulties"--2 Corinthians 12.10.
Not to worry! Jesus says, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." John 16.33.
The apostles tell us, "Thanks be to God who has given the victory" over sin, death, and the grave.
"Count it all joy because you know that the trial of your faith develops...its work so that you may become perfect and complete," because
"God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes," and
"We are created in Christ Jesus for good."
There is much, much more about God's day by day work in our lives in the face of adversity and affliction.
The grace we receive results in our being able to comfort and encourage others.
Jesus has come to save His people!!!
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