Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!

David Sproule

In 1882, Priscilla J. Owens penned these opening words of a familiar hymn: “We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”  What could be a more “joyful sound” than that?  In fact, if you were looking for a simple two-word summary of the whole Bible, you could not find one better than “Jesus saves!”  Let us think about this exciting subject!

Jesus saves by the grace of God!  The Scripture plainly teaches, “For by grace have you been saved…” (Eph. 2:8).  Salvation is not something that we deserve or can earn—it is “the gift of [the grace of] God.”  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves by His own blood! “Through His blood” we can have “the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7), for “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who obey Him!  We must be “doers of the word” (Jas. 1:22), who do “the will” of the Father and “obey” Christ, that we might “enter” into “eternal salvation” (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:9).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who believe in Him!  We must “believe…that God raised Him from the dead” (Rom. 10:9) and that He is “the Son of God” (John 20:31), in order to be saved from our sins (John 8:24). What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who repent of their sins!  Sin violates God’s will (1 John 3:4) and separates us from God (Isa. 59:2).  One must turn from those sins in order to have them blotted out (Acts 2:38; 3:19).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who confess their faith in Him!  We can only be “saved” if we will, “before men” (Matt. 10:32), “confess with [our] mouth the Lord Jesus” (Rom. 10:9).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who are immersed into Him!  Just as essential as all of the previous acts of obedience, “baptism now saves us” (1 Pet. 3:21).  Only then will the blood of Jesus “wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16), when we “believe” (Mark 16:16), “repent” and are “baptized for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

Jesus saves those who serve Him faithfully!  Once Jesus cleanses us of our past, we are “enlisted” by Him as “a soldier of Jesus Christ,” and it is our responsibility to “please” him (2 Tim. 2:3-4).  That involves a lifetime of “faithful” living (Rev. 2:10) and active service in His church (1 Cor. 15:58; Matt. 25:23).  What a joyful sound: Jesus saves!

The last line of that beloved hymn shouts, “This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”  God “gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).  Only those who comply with His will shall have eternal salvation!

The Church is a Big Deal to Christ

David Sproule

“Well, that’s a typical preacher thing to say, isn’t it?  Of course, a preacher is going to say that the church is a BIG deal to Christ!  That’s what he’s supposed to say!”  I guess someone could respond that way, but let’s approach this strictly from the viewpoint of the Bible.  Let’s not give attention to what any ordinary man has said on this subject.  What do we need to know about the church from Jesus’ viewpoint?

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as it was His eternal plan!  The Bible tells us that “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), God planned for Christ to come and redeem mankind (1 Pet. 1:18-20), and His church was “the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:9-11).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as it was the subject of His preaching from beginning to end!  From the start of His ministry until the moment of His ascension into heaven, Jesus preached about His church (Matt. 4:17; 16:18-19).  He taught multiple parables about it (Matt. 13) and gave instructions on how to enter (John 3:3-5) and how to live in it (Matt. 18:4; 20:20-28).  During the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension, He was “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He paid the highest price imaginable to purchase it!  The church was not an afterthought for Christ and the payment for it was not a surprise.  The shedding of “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19) was in the eternal plan of God, by which He “purchased” the church (Acts 20:28).   Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He devoted half of the New Testament to give instructions to His church!  The purpose statement of First Timothy could really summarize the purpose of the books of Acts through Revelation: “that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church” (1 Tim. 3:15).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He puts His saved safely inside of it!  The church is the saved (Eph. 5:23), and the saved are the church (Acts 2:47).  Jesus gave Himself to save the lost (Tit. 2:14), and when the lost are saved, He transfers them into “the kingdom” (Col. 1:13).  Now, that’s a BIG deal!

The church is a BIG deal to Christ, as He is going to return one day to take only His church home to heaven!  When “the end” comes, He is going to deliver “the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). Now, that’s a BIG deal!

Question: Is the church a BIG deal to you?

Thank God That Jesus Has ALL Authority!

David Sproule

Have you ever played a pickup basketball game where every guy on the court thought that he was in charge?  Two things usually result: chaos and frustration.  What about in your workplace—what if every person there thought they were the boss?  Can you imagine (or maybe you don’t have to) the chaos and frustration that would erupt?

How easily we understand the need for authority, even if we don’t like it in every situation.  We need authority in the home, in our schools, in the workplace, on the playing field, on the highways, in the courtrooms, etc., etc.  MOST of all, we must have authority in the CHURCH!  What would happen if there was no clear authority (meaning, every person recognized the same person to be in charge) in the church?  Two things would easily result: chaos and frustration.  In addition to those, even more significantly, unbelief and rejection of the Lord and His truth would ensue.

Thank God that in HIS church the authority is very clear!  Our authority does not reside in apostles or in angels (Gal. 1:8).  It does not reside in any preachers or church councils (Gal. 1:9).  It does not reside in our opinions, personal beliefs or feelings in our hearts (Prov. 14:12; Judg. 21:25).  It does not reside in any church traditions (Matt. 15:1-13).  It does not reside in any church manuals or creeds (Rev. 22:18-19).  If authority resided in any of these (or others that could be added to the list), then the church would belong to man and be governed by his whims.  Result?  Chaos and frustration!

Thank God that Jesus Christ has ALL authority in and over His church!  The word “authority” means “the right to control or command, total authority and absolute power.”  Jesus uses that word in Matthew 28:18, where He proclaims, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Jesus alone has “the right to control or command” His church, for He alone has “absolute power.”  His Word is our authority in all things today—“Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you” (Acts 3:22).  It will be His word which “will judge” us all “in the last day” (John 12:48).

My responsibility is to submit to His authority, to respect His Word and to obey Him in all things.  I must not “think” beyond, “speak” beyond or “go” beyond that which He has given to me in His Word (1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 1:10).  I must not think myself so wise or conceited that I can “instruct” or “counsel” the Lord (Isa. 40:12-14; Rom. 11:33-36).  Jesus makes it very clear that I must “hear” His Word and then I must “do the will” of my God in heaven (Matt. 7:21-27).  My entrance into heaven is dependent upon respecting the authority of Christ and fully submitting to Him!

The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 8

Wade Webster

In the course of this study, we have seen the sovereignty of God defined, declared, and displayed.  In the final installment of this study, we will see the sovereignty of God dismissed.    

Sovereignty Dismissed

Even though God’s sovereignty is clearly seen in the Scriptures, many dismiss it. They don’t want a sovereign God. They don’t want anyone to rule over them. Charles Spurgeon observed that many people are willing for God to be anywhere except on his throne. He can be in the hospital healing the sick. He can be in the prayer room answering prayers. He can be in the storehouse pouring out blessings. They just don’t want Him on the throne telling them how to live (Jeremiah 181-182). Someone else suggested that many want a jack in the box God. They want a God who pops out whenever they call Him but then goes back into the box until they need Him again (Evans 90). Consider a few examples from the pages of Scripture of those who dismissed the sovereign God of Scripture:

• “Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” (Job 21:14-15).
• “Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it” (Jer. 6:16-19).
• “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” (Romans 1:28).

In addition to not wanting God to rule over them, they want to rule over God. They want to tell God how to do things. Imagine someone coming into your house and telling you what is wrong with it. They don’t like the floor plan, the color of the walls, the furniture or how you have it arranged. What would you say? Probably, you would say something like this: When you start paying the mortgage, doing the maintenance, and buying the furniture, then you can have a say in how things are done (Evans 90-91).  Sadly, many have done this very thing with God. They walk into God’s house and start telling Him how things ought to be done when He built it and bought it. Because it belongs to Him, He has the right to order it as He sees fit. When we start creating planets and filling them with plants, animals and people, then maybe we can tell God how to do things.        

In this study, we have examined the sovereignty of God.  We have seen it defined, declared, displayed, and dismissed.  The sovereignty of God troubles the sinner.  It gives him a fearful expectancy of judgment (Heb. 10:27).  The sovereignty of God comforts the saint.  Knowing that God is on His throne gives us a peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).  I pray that this study has brought you comfort and not fear.

The Sovereignty Of God Over The Nations - Part 7

Wade Webster

In the last installment in this study, we saw the sovereignty of God displayed in the life of Sennacherib. In this part of our study, we will see it displayed in the life of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Baylon.   

Sovereignty Displayed

There are many examples in Scripture that show God’s sovereignty.  I think that it is easiest to see it in the lives of those who were kings.  After all, they had power, riches, and many servants at their disposal.  Although they were sovereigns, they were no match for God.  Consider three well-known examples from Scripture:

• Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon - Daniel wrote, “All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (Daniel 4:28-37). Nebuchadnezzar had been told by Daniel of God’s sovereignty on an earlier occasion, but he ignored or forgot it. On the earlier occasion, “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.” (Daniel 2:20-23). Sadly, Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar would forget the lesson that God had taught his father and lose the kingdom (Dan. 5:17-30).

There are many other examples that display God’s sovereignty, but we have met the Biblical standard of establishing things at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Mat. 18:16).