Sermon Snippet – The Scarlet Lifeline – Part II
INTRODUCTION – The Communion service directs our full attention to God the Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that He freely offers to all. Hebrews 7:25 says of our Savior, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Let us briefly consider this “uttermost” salvation.
1. WE ARE SAVED FROM THE EFFECTS OF OUR SIN
First and foremost, the sacrificial death of Jesus deals with our sin. We have recently enjoyed the Christmas season, and we recall the words of an angel to Joseph: “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In His ministry, Jesus provided this specific mission statement: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11). Paul understood this teaching, both theologically and personally: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (I Timothy 1:15). To reject Jesus as Savior is to remain in our sins and to reject eternal salvation.
2. WE ARE SAVED FROM A SUPERFICIAL LIFE
The example of Paul is instructive. Before his conversion, he was a vicious, hate-filled man (Acts 9:1-2). His life had no good purpose: he was driven to hurt others. In a moment, he received everlasting life and a positive reason to live – to serve God and others (Acts 9:3-6). The best that the world offers is aimlessness; its worst is destructiveness. Christians are saved from both. We are saved to do good things for the right reasons.
3. WE ARE SAVED FROM UNCERTAINTY
In the early Church, many were concerned that Jesus had not yet returned. Paul dealt with one implication of this concern: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, concerning them which are asleep [had died], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13). He then provides additional information regarding the return of Jesus for His Church, what we call the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:14-18). We can be completely certain of the completeness of the words and works of Jesus Christ.
4. WE ARE SAVED FROM A LIFE DEVOID OF CONTEMPLATION
Many religions and philosophies practice forms of meditation, but these are either mind-emptying or self-centered or both. Peter says of this mindlessness, “For this they willingly are ignorant of“ (II Peter 3:5a). Willfully (the meaning of “willingly”), these people avoid reality. By contrast, Christians are able to think deeply about all subjects, for “we have the mind of Christ’ (I Corinthians 2:16b). Of course, we do not always employ our minds correctly and effectively, but we have the capacity to see life as it really is and to recognize the kind hand of our Savior in all areas of life.
CONCLUSION – An old hymn includes the line, “Ours is such a full salvation.” Indeed, it is. The scarlet lifeline – the shed blood of Christ Jesus – saves us forever and also saves us now.