He Saved Us, That's Incredible!

Date: 25 April, 2018

Text: Titus 2:4-8

Title: He Saved Us

 

Introduction:

 

Have you ever hear, seen or read something and you responded with, "That is incredible!"

 

ill. 6 day war - Watching documentary of the 6 day war. Newly formed modern Israel in it's youth defending itself against it's enemies - "At 07:45 on June 5, 1967, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) under Maj. Gen. Mordechai Hod launched a massive airstrike that destroyed the majority of the Egyptian Air Force on the ground." That's incredible!

 

ill. Child prodigy - Wolfgang Mozart - Even at the age of four, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart apparently absorbed everything to do with music with a tremendous appetite and seemingly without effort. Not only did he already know how to play his first instruments, the piano and the violin, but he now composed his first piano concerto. Leopold Mozart regarded the blots of ink put down on paper by the unskilled hand of a child with disbelief, realising that all notes were correctly arranged following contemporary musical rules. From this time on he also taught his son the art of composing: Wolfgang played the melodies on the piano and his father put the notes down on paper. Thus dances for keyboard came into being. At the age of six Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed a minuet and a trio for keyboard, the future number 1 of the Köchel catalogue. That's incredible!

 

 ill. 2016 Masters - Ricky Fowler and Justin Thomas hit back to back hole in ones! That's incredible!

 

Incredible - Difficult to believe though you know it to be true because it so amazing! 

 

Taken from our text, my title this morning is, "He saved us!" THAT IS INCREDIBLE!

 

We ought to be amazed at God's salvation! Do you know the incredible salvation of God?

 

I. Salvation is an incredible act of love.

4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

exp. God could have destroyed mankind like he did to Noah's generation.

Gen 7:23  And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

 exp. God could have let all mankind go to Hell as they deserved.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; 

Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 

INCREDIBLE LOVE of the Father! OR GOD COULD DO THE UNTHINKABLE AND PUNISH HIS SON FOR OUR SIN.

Romans 5:7-8  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 exp. He had to chose to love us and to despise His Son.

1.) He heard his son weep asking Him 3 times if there was any other way in which sin could be atoned.

2.) He watched His son isolated as his friends all abandoned him in His hour of need.

3.) He watched as his son was whipped, spat upon, cursed, condemned, crucified!

4.) He turned His back on His Son as Jesus cried out to Him, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!

App. He had every chance to save Him, spare Him - BUT HE DID NOT BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR US. "For God SO LOVE the world that He gave His only begotten Son" 

INCREDIBLE LOVE of the Son! The Son of God did the unthinkable and give himself for our sin.

Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 ill. Soldiers in 6 day war taking Golan Heights from Syrians - soldiers through their bodies onto barbed wire fences making a way for their comrades to defeat the enemy.

exp. Jesus sacrificed his body so that you and I could win against the devil and BE SAVED FROM HELL.

 app. We ought to stop this morning and marvel at God's incredible act of love!

 

II. Salvation is an incredible act of mercy.

5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, 

A. We have no righteousness way of purchasing salvation.

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

ill. Paul Adams and Andy Sampson - metal detectorists found Roman Gold Coins which they thought would fetch around 250,000 pounds. They were so excited but as it turns out they were movie props from a BBC film. They said they were paying off their mortgage in their heads and buying new sports cars - now, they look at the coins and want to cry.

 app. MANY people are picturing heaven in their heads thinking what their righteousness is going to buy. But, someday they will realize the thing they valued is just a cheap replica and will cry for all eternity about their folly. YOU AND I HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER TO GOD OF ANY VALUE.

B. We must fully rely on God's generosity. "But according to His mercy He saved us."

hymn "Nothing good have I to bring, but simply to thy cross I cling."

 ill. If BBC would be as generous and merciful as God, they would take their old fake coins and give them real gold coins. If they did - their tears would turn from grief to joy! 

exp. God is willing today to take your "sin" and give you His mercy. His mercy is so great He calls you and pleads with you to come!

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 app. O sinner friend! You are not right with God if you think you have something of value which will open Heaven's door. 

Your money is fake - worse than that it is counterfeit and will be judged accordingly! 

God stands ready to give you true riches, if you will humble your heart and come to Him. That is an incredible act of mercy!

 

III. Salvation is an incredible act of cleansing.

....by the washing of regeneration, 

ill. Working at "Co Generation plant" Cogen at Bob Jones. 3 Diesel train engines that generated power whenever our electricity supply was low. It would generate (generation: to make) at the same time (co) when needed. 

 exp. Since "generation" is to make - Regeneration is "To Make Again (re)." 

note: We are made anew when God cleanses us at salvation.

Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  And having an high priest over the house of God;  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

ill. Princess Charlotte and Prince George going to see new baby at the hospital. Princess Charlotte is a cutey. She sweetly waved to the crowd. Can you imagine her disappointment if when she arrived at the hospital they told her she couldn't come in to see the son because she was too dirty. BUT IF SHE GOT CLEAN SHE COULD GO IN.

 app. If you are filthy this morning you can not see the Son of God. But, God is willing to cleanse you at salvation and make you anew so that you can meet the Son. That is an incredible act of cleansing! Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. HAVE YOU BEEN WASHED AND MADE ANEW?

 

IV. Salvation is an incredible act of change.

....and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

exp. The gift of God's Spirit came UPON US ABUNDANTLY when we put our faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

exp. He who makes all things new made us new - He is a spiritual renovator.

 ill. St. James Centre - the old is being torn down and a massive renovation is taking place. It will offer breathtaking views, have a 5 star hotel, be 1.7 million square feet. etc.  IT WILL BE BETTER THAN NEW BECAUSE OF THE VISION OF THE ARCHITECT AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK.

exp. God won't make you new - he will make you better than new. He is the grand architect of the new life.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

ill. George Minsick - leader in Al Capone's gang in Chicago - because a preacher who would go into prisons and reach men for Jesus Christ. His life was gloriously changed! That is incredible!

 app. Have you experienced the incredible change which God is willing to do in your life THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST?

 

V. Salvation is an incredible act of law.

exp. When I mention law and salvation you probably think - wait a minute - the law has nothing to do with salvation. It has nothing to do with our obtaining salvation but it has everything to do with God imputing salvation.

A. Given a legal pardon.

7  That being justified by his grace, 

exp. God did not break the law to give us grace. He fulfilled the law to give us a legal pardon.

1. He declared us righteous.

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

exp. To justify -  is to declare righteous.

ill. Pilate justified Jesus before the crowd as he cried out "I find no fault in him."

app. That is how incredible the cleansing was - it took away the stain of sin completely so that our hearts are completely clean in God's sight. 1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2. He judicially says now, "Not guilty."

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 exp. Condemnation is judgment - it is the sentencing part of the court process. John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 ill. I could list condemned men - and we wouldn't feel badly for them - because they are guilty. AND IN GOD'S COURT SO ARE WE - BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW YOU'D FEEL TO HEAR YOURSELF SENTENCE by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 app. God judicially gives back LIFE to those who take His pardon because Jesus paid it all! Matthew 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

B. Made a legal heir.

we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

exp. God didn't just pardon us - He  adopted us and put us in our Saviour's will.

ill. My wife this past year received an inheritance from her grandparents. She was a legal heir of theirs as directed by their will and therefore had right to receive from them.

exp. JESUS POSSESSES SOLE RIGHTS TO EVERYTHING POSSESSED BY GOD. Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 

note: Salvation puts us into the Saviour's will and allows us access to God's inheritance.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

question: Is it a real inheritance?3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

exp. You and I don't begin to understand what that is - but I will let you know right now that is it an incredible act of law THAT GOD NOT ONLY PARDONED US BUT ADOPTED US AND GAVE US LEGAL RIGHT TO HIS INHERITANCE. 

app. Most people want to be part of a will - don't you want to be part of those who receive from God? Incredibly, you can be made a legal heir.

 

VI. Salvation is an incredible answer to prayer.

8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

exp. God didn't save you by good works - but he expects you to maintain good works after you are saved! That being said - you were saved by faith! "They which have believed in God."

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

note: If salvation was by works - it would take a long time, it would take a lot of failure, it would take a lot of effort - ALL OF WHICH WE KNOW WOULD BE FUTILE.

exp. You can be saved very quickly this morning - without failure and without effort - if YOU JUST TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD AND BELIEVE THAT WHAT JESUS DID ON THE CROSS HE DID FOR YOU AND THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD.

 app. Why are you waiting? All the incredible truth is availalbe to you and as incredible as it sounds - IT IS IN ANSWER TO BELIEVING PRAYER THAT GOD WILL SAVE YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU WILL BELIEVE IN HIM.

 

Conclusion: I can marvel at the 6 day war, child prodigy, golf shots - BUT I WILL NEVER BE AS AMAZAED BY ANYTHING AS I AM BY GOD'S SALVATION.

 

1.) It is an incredible act of love. 2.) It is an incredible act of mercy.

3.) It is an incredible act of cleansing. 4.) It is an incredible act of change.

5.) It is an incredible act of law. 6.) It is an incredible answer to prayer. (faith.)

Won't you marvel at God's salvation and take His incredible gift today!