Sermon Notes

The last several weeks we have focused on the names of Jesus… Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, and Redeemer.

The name Savior is closely aligned with Redeemer. Pastor Ryan did a great job speaking about Jesus as Redeemer last week. He mentioned that as Redeemer Jesus:

• Secures our freedom
• Forgives our sin
• Restores a paradise that was lost

As I have studied the names of Jesus and the names of God throughout my Christian walk, I have asked myself, “How has what I know about a particular name affected my relationship with Jesus?  Also, how does this knowledge affect my relationships with others?

Considering those questions, I quickly acknowledge my understanding does not enhance or diminish Jesus in any way, but it does impact my relationship.

• How does the fact that Jesus is your Savior impact your behavior?
• I want to present you with three emphatic practical statements and end with a question.

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. ² And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Luke 10:1-12

FIRST - If Jesus is your Savior, you can’t keep it a secret. – Verses 1-2

(The story of Sergei Bessarab – Tajikistan from When Faith is Forbidden)

For Reflection

• Do we expect God will allow us only comfort, prosperity, and earthly success?
• Who is it that God is placing in your path?
• Do you see every conversation and every person you meet as someone God sent to you to learn about His love and grace?
• If you see people as Jesus did, through eyes of compassion, how will it change the way you interact with those around you?

SECOND - If Jesus is your Savior, you need to let go of your stuff. – Verse 4

• What kind of traveler are you?
• ​Do you have spiritual baggage?
• It’s hard to see, but sometimes the greatest barriers to our spiritual growth and flourishing are the things we’re already carrying or that we assume are essential.
• We may have picked them up on our own, or others may have placed them on us.

²⁸ "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  ³⁰ "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Matthew 11:28-30

• Why would Jesus say something like that?
• Our weariness comes from enduring our burdens or baggage we carry.
• What am I carrying around that should not be part of my journey?
  • The baggage of unfulfilled expectations
  • The baggage of untreated pain
  • The baggage of unresolved yesterdays
  • The baggage of unrepented sin

Three things to remember

1. God still loves you
2. God can free you
3. God will restore you

THIRD - If Jesus is your Savior, you will experience God’s reign in your life. – Verse 11

1. Let me ask you: Who is reigning over your life? 
2. Is God’s Spirit reigning or are you allowing your thoughts and emotions to run your life? 

(From the book Sharpen your Discernment)

• “An unharnessed soul wants to be the center of attention of everything. 
• If the atmosphere is not exactly what the soul wants, it becomes depressed. 
• If the soul doesn’t get what it wants, it becomes unhappy. 
• If someone wrongs the soul, it becomes bitter. 
• If someone hurts the soul, it becomes engulfed in self-pity. 
• If the soul is in a hurry, it pressures everyone. If the soul does not like someone, it becomes rude. 
• If the soul is rejected, it becomes obsessive or withdrawn. 
• If something scares the soul, the soul worries. 
• If someone has what it wants, the soul becomes jealous. 
• If the soul thinks it has to please everyone, it becomes phony and deceitful.”

God reigns!

• The reign of God means “shalom.” It is a reign of peace and it means the end of brokenness.
• God’s reign brings wholeness and fullness of life.
• Peace and harmony are restored in all relationships.
• We are at peace with God, ourselves, one another, the world, and creation. 
• The reign of God means good.
• The reign of God means salvation.
• God’s victory and God’s rule bring an end to all that holds people in slavery.
• God’s rule brings freedom. It breaks the chains of evil, sin and Satan.

If Jesus is your Savior, you can’t keep it a secret!

If Jesus is your Savior, you need to let go of your stuff!

If Jesus is your Savior, you will experience God’s reign in your life!

As I said at the beginning of the message that I will have a question at the end. Here is the question:

Is Jesus your Savior?

Four reasons why you should come to the altar this morning:

• There is an important person in your life that does not know Jesus.
• You’re not experiencing everything God has for you.
• You have some baggage you have been carrying around that you need to get rid of.
• You do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.