Tonight we're going to be talking about Jesus the Savior ... so be thinking about what that means to you and any ? you might have about it.

Father God we bless your Name and thank you for being able to meet together and study the Word. Open our hearts, minds and spirits to understand and learn more about our Savior Jesus.

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Tonight we want to look for a few minutes at the Savior, Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be "saved"? Why do we need saving? What are we saved FROM? And what are we saved to?

Last week we were on vacation, and I heard on TV about a woman whose life was SAVED because a stranger donated her part of his liver. It is painful and loving for a relative to make such a sacrifice, but for a stranger to do so is astounding. So we could say that this man was this woman's SAVIOR … his sacrifice spared her from certain death.

The last few days of our vacation the weather was stormy and the sea looked like a boiling pot. The wind was up and the air chill - not the sort of conditions I would recommend for swimming in the ocean!

However there were a few foolhardy individuals swimming or trying to surf … and the lifeguards were running up and down the beach trying to keep these idiots out of the water. I have no doubt though, that if someone got in trouble, these same life guards would risk their lives to save those in trouble. And they would be SAVIORS, wouldn't they? If they rescued someone from drowning?

One of the popular shows on TV is "Rescue 911" telling true stories of people in trouble, whose lives were in danger, and those who SAVED them. In all of these cases, people were rescued from some sort of physical danger or another - they were saved. And that's pretty easy to understand. So in what sense is Jesus a savior?

monkey[:oÞ - He has saved us from eternal damnation.... :) Saved us from a life of sin..... saved me from myself... :o)

That's good monkey ... what else has Jesus saved us FROM?

Sherry - OT you believe its possible not to sin?

Sherry, I believe that as long as we are in the flesh we are subject to temptation and in danger of falling into sin. But I also believe that Jesus can strengthen us against temptation, and it becomes less likely that we will sin the longer we walk with Him. Also being led by the Holy Spirit ... and reading the Word is important in overcoming sin. In other words, in Jesus we are able NOT to sin, where when we were sinners we were not able not to sin.

Sherry - OT some Christians don't live in sin like cause they stay in that word and in prayer and are really strong in Jesus like I believe that what it takes like be in heaven that way like

And Jesus has given us a way out of a lifestyle of sin ... part of what He saves us FROM as monkey said.

Sherry - I believe that a person has to be sin free and in a certain way in Christ pleasing go heaven..

Oh I see Sherry ... well our "ticket" to Heaven, if I can put it that way, is the cross of Jesus ... we don't' get there by not sinning, but by trusting in the cross of Jesus - our salvation. We are not saved by works that we do but by God's grace ... we will never be sin free in ourselves on this earth ... but in Jesus we are "just as if" we never sinned..

Another thing that Jesus saves us or rescues us FROM is the kingdom of darkness and slavery to satan. When we believe in Jesus as Savior, one thing that happens is that we are carried from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus.

So Jesus has saved us from... judgement and damnation ... a sinful lifestyle.... slavery to satan ... all the curses that came upon mankind because of sin. See Sherry when we trust in Jesus, God doesn't see US, He sees Jesus ... and Jesus' righteousness is ours ... His right standing with God and holiness.

monkey[:oÞ - If it were up to us, I think that heaven would be a lonely place... I am sure glad that Jesus paid our debt "IN FULL"

Amen monkey, even after we trust in Jesus as Savior we make mistakes ... none of us are perfect ... not even ME!!! LOL Part of our faith is trusting in Jesus to save us, even when we mess up.

monkey[:oÞ - Isn't Jesus WONDERFUL!?!?!?!

It says in I John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (sinfulness). This verse was written to CHRISTIANS ... And it literally says ... If we keep on confessing our sins, he keeps on forgiving our sins and cleansing us ... it is a continuous process.

GottaBigQuestion - I feel bad about saying this but I nee to know. What did Jesus sacrifice for us?

Jesus sacrificed His life ... He gave Himself as an offering for our sins ... He not only died, but literally bore all our sins and griefs on the cross.

OlePappy - His pain for our pain, His life for our life

GottaBigQuestion - But He went to heaven

Yes God knew that Jesus would be raised from the dead, but that didn't lessen the pain that either He or Jesus felt when Jesus bore our sin on the cross. He also gave up fame and fortune, the right to have a family as a man ... He left heaven and came to live in flesh.... Gave Himself for those who didn't even know they needed Him..

Athie - Oh how the Father loved us HE GAVE His ONLY Son to die for our sins

GottaBigQuestion - So, like temporary physical pain and emotional grief?

That's right, temporary in the time span, but eternal in its effects, but His sacrifice was what He did before that ... and that sacrifice made it possible for US to go to Heaven too. Which brings us to the question, what did Jesus save us TO?

OlePappy - because He went to heaven so shall we, if we give our hearts to Him

monkey[:oÞ - eternal life with God

GottaBigQuestion - Eternal good effects, right?

He bore the sin debt for all men and women for all time ... I can't even conceive what that suffering felt like - to die billions of deaths at once - inconceivable to us.

OlePappy - what a wonderful gift, eh monkey
CJ - HE LEFT HIS MIGHTY THRONE IN GLOY, TO BRING TO US REDEMPTION STORY, THE HE DIED BUT HE ROSE AGAIN JUST FOR ME OH AND I'M GLAD SO GLAD HE DID SO GLAD HE DID
GottaBigQuestion - But He got to go back, right>?

Yes Jesus went back to Heaven, but He sent the Holy Spirit in His place to be our teacher, comforter and friend. And He's promised to come get us and take us where He is.

GottaBigQuestion - Does God feel the same way when Christians are killed for what they believe?
monkey[:oÞ - gotta. God feels all the pain we do....
GottaBigQuestion - So, like God, goes through that all the time?
monkey[:oÞ - he feels all the happiness we do... sorrow.... pain..... everything we feel, he feels.....

I'm sure He does Gotta ... He does feel our pain ... Let's get back to Jesus our Savior. What are some of the things He's saved us TO? One thing we've mentioned is Heaven ... Jesus has saved us from a devil's hell and made a home for us in Heaven. What else...?

monkey[:oÞ - a life enriched with His blessings!

One thing that Jesus has saved us TO ... is a family! We once were orphans, lost, maybe even at odds with our own kin ... but because of what Jesus has done for us ... we are now safe and sound in a family ... the forever family of God! Can anyone think of anything else Jesus has saved us TO?

girlychick4GOD - Well, I know that the best thing to have is to have God in my heart. Since I'm a teen, I am pressured to have a boyfriend. A lot of girls do and it kind of hurts me inside. But, I figure that its better to have God in your life. He is way more important than anything else.

Amen monkey ... that's a good one! An abundant life! I've had some "close calls" accident wise myself ... and what a wonderful rush of relief to know you're safe afterwards! And Jesus saves us to peace!

girlychick4GOD - God is so wonderful! It's so amazing to think that he wants you and me to teach people about him even if we have sinned! That's how much he loves us! I know a lot about him than a lot of older people, but I still need and want to learn more. My favorite verse is " For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21. I like this verse so much because it tells people to live for him! So many people say that they will die for God, but will they live for him? It is much harder to live for him than to die for him. I have trouble living that life a lot because of satan's temptations, but I think for awhile and remember that if I don't listen to the temptation, that I will show myself that I can do anything through Christ that strengthens me! That's why I totally respect that verse. When I am tempted, I will just think of that verse and then my attitude toward what I'm doing will change and I will see right through that temptation!
monkey[:oÞ - Peace... that is awesome.... knowing that no matter what happens... you will be ok....
Servant - eternity with Him

Amen girlychick! And AMEN monkey ... knowing that in Jesus there is peace and safety! God has it under control no matter what circumstances may rage around us.

Servant - thanks getting excited here about my inheritance
monkey[:oÞ - AMEN SERVANT! me too!!!

Luke 1: 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

monkey[:oÞ - JESUS JESUS JESUS! There's just something about that name!!!
prophet - first ye seek the kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you.

When Gabriel came to talk to Mary, He told her to name the child Jesus, which means the Lord saves! Jesus' Name actually means He is our savior! So just saying JESUS is an expression of faith in His salvation!

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

prophet - there is no other name under heaven given among men where by we must be saved

And when Jesus our Savior was born, an angel announced it to the shepherds. Notice that one thing Jesus saves us from is FEAR! Fear not!

Athie - Yes satan is mad so what? We are glad
monkey[:oÞ - thank you Jesus!
Aridne2 - when satan is mad it means he is losing so its good when he's mad

Also notice who Jesus came to save - ALL people! And since Jesus brings us joy, serving Him saves us from a lot of sorrow. That's not to say that we won't go through a lot of trials, we will, but we'll probably be in heaven before we realize all the grief that Jesus actually saved us from in this life.

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

And since Jesus came to earth as a man to become our Savior, we know that He understands how we feel. Well, as God He knew, but since He became a man, we can identify with Him.

girlychick4GOD - He does care! He just has ways to help us that we don't see.

Philippians 3: 20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Aridne2 - It still stuns me that the eternal perfect God became man. WOW
monkey[:oÞ - isn't it wonderful..... God knew and knows our hearts... He knew that some HUMANS would think.... How could HE understand what it is like to be human.... heeheehee He is soooo smart!

Now there is a sense in which we are saved now in Jesus ... but also a sense in which we look forward to being saved in the future ... saved from the chains of this mortal flesh subject to sin and death ... when our bodies will be transformed to be like His. And then our salvation will be completed.

girlychick4GOD - He loves everyone! Even though it is hard to see.

What a Savior is our Jesus! Praise you Lord for what you've saved us from and what you've saved us to!

monkey[:oÞ - Thank you Jesus! Praise your precious name!

Father God we long for the appearing of our glorious savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us understand more our salvation and be witnesses for you. IN Jesus Name AMEN