Saved and Safe

Psalms 37:39-40 (NKJV) 

³⁹ But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
⁴⁰ And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

Intro: The salvation of the soul is the most important thing in one’s life. But God’s work doesn’t stop there. God is concerned about us from the cradle to the grave. After salvation comes the process of growing in our trust of the Father God. His work in our lives doesn’t stop at salvation.  That is the beginning of the Father’s care for us as His children. He doesn’t save us and forget us. He is busy saving and delivering us every day that we live.

I. Our salvation is from the Lord God. (v:39)

  a. Forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and an intimate relationship comes from the Father.  

  Colossians 1:12-14 (NLT) ¹² always thank the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.
¹³ For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, ¹⁴ who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

II. God is our strength. (v:39) He is our moral power, firmness, and courage.

  a. He is our strength in times of trouble.  Trouble means worry, distress, anxieties, and suffering, and cares of this world. God will help us and deliver us by His strength. Strength comes from Hebrew word that means God provides us with security and personal protection when trouble comes. Psalms 91:3-4 (NKJV) ³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence- (plaques, diseases.) ⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. The word of God is a defense and support to the soul as the best shield is to the body. We protect ourselves with the armor of  God’s word.

    b. Against the attacks of the wicked. (v:40) The Father saves us from the wicked because He loves us. God has promised to help us, save us, and deliver us when we are under attack.

        Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)  No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage (birthright) of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord.

      Jesus has become our righteousness by His sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

     Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

III. Because we trust in Him. (v:40b) We have placed our souls and our lives in His hands.

   a. We have a confidence, conviction, and assurance in God and His word. Psalms 91:1-2

    ¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."     By resting in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God will shield you and make evil powerless before you. Let His word live in you and be your daily guide.

     Psalms 91:14-16 (NKJV) ¹⁴ "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." From the presence of sin.

     Invitation: Yes if you have been forgiven of your sins and saved by Jesus Christ, you are kept save in Him as you remain in Him. If you are not sure about your salvation, now is the time to make sure. Eternity is long and Hell is dark and hot. Heaven is full of joy and pleasures forever more. What’s your choice? It’s up to you!

Be Still

Scripture Text Psalms 46:10 (NKJV) 

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  

Intro: We live in a time of chaos today. Everything seems to be totally out of control. Sin is rampant. There is deception and lies everywhere. Divisiveness rules our land right now. There is little stability in our world today as we look around us. God speaks to us from His word. Let us be encouraged by God’s word. He is our only stability no matter what!

I. God says in His word to “Be still.” v:10) That means to be tranquil, silent, quiet, and at rest.

  a. This is a challenge for all of us. We must work at it. There is no substitute for time alone with God. We read His word, meditate on it and we pray about everything. Stillness before the Lord prepares us for the unexpected challenges and opportunities in life. Rather than trying to figure out ever problem we face and wondering what will come next or grieving over past  things, God says we are simply to “be still.”

II. Then God says to “know” something. (v:10) Know means to recognize and discern.

  a. We are to know, recognize and understand that He is God. He has everything under control. He has everything covered, nothing takes Him by surprise.

      He’s already in our future working things out on our behalf and for our good.

      Let there be no doubt whatsoever that He has a perfect plan for all of us.

      We can put our complete trust in Him in every situation and circumstance we face. We just need to wait quietly and simply let Him work in us so He can work through us. He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn to Him often.

III. God says “I will be exalted.” (v:10) He will be raised in rank, honor, power, character, glory.

   a. Among the nations of the world. God’s lofty position of rank, honor, power, character and glory will be made know to all nations who live on the face of the earth. 

     Habakkuk 2:13-14 Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

     All the idols of the world will be burned up by God’s wrath when Jesus comes to rule and reign. All the other religions of the world that have sent many to hell by their false teachings will be destroyed by the fire of God’s wrath.
¹⁴ For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. God in all His glory will rule supreme on the earth through His Son Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. Psalms 2:6-9 (NKJV) ⁶ "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." ⁷ "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " It's already done in God's eyes. Nothing can prevent Jesus Christ from ruling and reigning on this earth. There is no power stronger than God. 

  b. In the earth. I will have my salvation proclaimed in every nation, among every people, and in every tongue. The nations abroad that do not worship me, but worship idols, shall see in My deeds full proof that I am the true God, and that I am worthy of universal adoration. God says all the peoples on earth will worship My Son as I have proclaimed in My word.

      Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV) ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 Conclusion: If you have not developed the habit of daily prayer and bible study, why not begin now in your still quite time so you will be prepared for whatever life brings your way.

Invitation: Do you have a relationship with this all powerful God? Have you stilled yourself before God and asked Him to show you where you stand in your relationship with Him? If you have never asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, now would be an excellent time to do that. Ask Him to forgive and save you. Invite Him to take charge of your life and help you to live for Him. Then be baptized to show you are sincere. Time is short, don't delay!

"The Life”

 (Scriture Text John 14:6)

INTRODUCTION

 Two of the most remarkable statements by Jesus are found in this one verse...

      John 14:6 (NKJV)  Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [In making such statements, Jesus claims to be three things:  "The Way, The Truth, And The Life."  Two weeks ago we learned why Jesus is the only Way. Last week we learned why Jesus is THE ONLY TRUTH!  Now we will take a look at where we observe that Jesus is... THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIFE]

I. THE LIFE

   A. JESUS PROVIDES ETERNAL LIFE...

    1. By His teaching regarding the new birth

      a. Jesus said we must be born again - John 3:3 (NKJV)  Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

      b. Of the water and the Spirit - John 3:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵ Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

    c. Jesus provides eternal life by our believing in Him – John 3:15-18 (NKJV) ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

    2. Jesus provides eternal life by pouring out the Spirit who washes and regenerates us - Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV) ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

a. Through His redemptive work on the cross He justified us, By making us heirs of God. Titus 3:7  having been (justified) by His grace (we should become heirs) according to the hope of eternal life.

    3. Jesus provides eternal life by bearing our sins in His body on the cross. 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NKJV) ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

      a. By being the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.        
²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

   B. HE OFFERS ABUNDANT LIFE NOW...

 1. As He promised as the Good Shepherd - John 10:10-11 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

2. Jesus offers a peace the world cannot give -   John 14:27 (NKJV)                      Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 16:33 (NKJV)  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have    peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

 3. He gives us His love, which passes knowledge. John 15:10 (NKJV) If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My  Father's commandments and abide in His love. Ephesians 3:19 (NKJV)  Paul prayed that all Christians might know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

    4. He provides His joy, that is inexpressible - John 15:11 (NKJV)   These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 1 Peter 1:8 (NKJV)  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

  With such peace, love, and joy, what an abundant and eternal life Jesus offers.

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus is truly the way, the truth, and the life...

 a. The way to knowing and experiencing God as your Heavenly Father

 b. The reality of truth that provides freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin

 c. The source of life that is blessed now and lasts forever!

Jesus may be "the" way, truth, and life, but He is of no value unless He becomes "your" way to the true salvation that leads to eternal life with God.

Invitation: Have you responded to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and received eternal life? Have you ask Jesus to show you the way to God, the truth, and the life?

Is He your truth to a close and personal relationship with God?

      Has Jesus become to you that abundant life by virtue of a spiritual rebirth and the blessings that follow? If not, now is the time to ask Jesus to forgive your sins and save you. Then invite Him to take charge of your life. Be baptized to show you are sincere in your desire to be saved and live for Jesus.