SERMON INSIGHTS

Peace be unto you, beloved in Jesus Christ. We praise the Lord for His mercy and goodness, and for the powerful testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus Christ, the Word of God. We are brought to the altar to consolidate and deepen our core inner being’s connection with Christ Jesus, who is the Word of God. In Him is the very source of the Spirit of life and of light—the light of man—derived through faith in the Word of God that is preached when we receive it into our hearts.

We established that in the beginning, the Word of God, which is Christ Jesus, was and still is the origin of our being. Man was originally created in the image of God, a creature lower than the angels, but one who bore a reflection of the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of life and light, though not in its fullness. Sadly, this original source and glory fell with sin, causing a catastrophic disconnection from the divine spirit source of life and light. But having believed and received Jesus Christ and had our sins forgiven, we are reconciled with God, born anew through belief in that same Word. Consequently, we are not only regenerated and restored to our original state, but we are raised to a new level of glory as children of God, with full divine nature input and access to the fullness of God.

We must understand what makes us unique. While all of creation—the animal world, the sun, the stars, the trees—derived its nature and powers from the same Word of God, the distinguishing feature of man is that he was given an opportunity to have a will and a mind power, a process of decision-making. The rest of creation operates through instinctive behavior patterns written in and for them. But man, being created in the image of God, has the divine attribute of thinking, processing, deciding, and acting upon his decisions, making him responsible for his actions.

Yet, this very will led to tragedy. Jesus Christ is called the Savior because He has offered His blood, His life, and His service for the salvation of man. He has come to save man, first and foremost, from sin itself, which is the condition and state of man that opens him to death and separates him from the Creator. Sin weakens us and exposes us to the oppression of Satan and to disease and sickness. Beyond the condition, Christ saves us from our sinful nature and the power it holds over us, which is the root cause of all societal problems, wars, and poverty in the world. There is a power of sin, a natural force against man’s spirit and will, that holds us captive; Christ has come to deal with that power. Finally, He saves us from the tragic consequences of sin, such as death and corruption, which lead to the state of darkness, hopelessness, and futility in the human story.

The tragedy begins with the nature and root of sin. Sin is simply a spirit will, a mind of disobedience. The fundamental cause is man’s desire to be God unto himself, unwilling to submit to any higher authority, regulation, or control. This seed of disobedience, this self-projecting, autonomous, independent nature, was planted in the fall and has been passed on to all of humanity. It is the spirit of pride and self-will. But beloved, there are two spirits we learn from Christ: the spirit of obedience and righteousness, and the spirit of humility and meekness. The more you grow in Christ, the more humble you become; humility is the very proof of your growth in Him.

In what way, then, is Christ the Savior? He has established four glorious systems for the salvation of man.

Firstly, there is the Bloodshed on the Calvary Cross. This is the first glorious provision for the atonement of sin, reconciliation with God, the remission of sins to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, and the redemption of man, as a price paid for our very lives.

Secondly, there is the New Birth. In this new birth, man is filled afresh and born anew with Christ’s own sinless spirit and nature. The Christ in you is the hope of glory; there is no contamination in that spirit. This sinless, incorruptible seed, sealed in our inner being, is a guarantee of both sonship and sinlessness for those born anew, a deposit that ensures you will meet Christ face to face one day.

Thirdly, there is the Word of God. The Word is God’s provision for man’s salvation, which is spirit, power, and life. It orders and establishes man on a path of truth, righteousness, holiness, and eternal life. It is described as a light unto our path that provides direction, guaranteeing the security of salvation in life. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, making the simple wise, and enlightening the eyes. When we study the Word to find Christ and guide our conduct, our hearts rejoice and our minds are enlightened.

Finally, there is Christ’s Divine Arsenal in Warfare. Now that we are in Christ, we are engaged in a lifelong spiritual war. The spirit power and authority behind the Name, the Blood, and the Word of God of Christ Jesus constitutes a fortification—a city made sure and perfect—that ensures victory over Satan and whatever he brings against your life. He who believes in Him shall be an overcomer.

In conclusion, beloved, behold Jesus Christ the Savior! He is the Savior and Lord of man. Through the agreement of the Triune God, a fully guaranteed system of salvation, a path of glory, victory over Satan, and certainty of eternal life has been opened to man. The Bible confirms in 1st Corinthians 1:30 that Jesus Christ has become the proof of the wisdom of God towards man, and Christ has become our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. All that is needed is to believe, to accept, to receive, and obey Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Savior of man and the world. Amen.