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SO GREAT A SAVIOR, SO GREAT SALVATION

 

PLEASE READ IN THE BIBLE (HEBREWS 1:1-3; 2:1-4)

 

 

It says in, (Hebrews 1:1) “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets”.  This verse tells us a number of things.  It tells us who it was that spoke, how He spoke and to whom He spoke.  It was God Himself that spoke.  God is a living God who could speak and He did speak.  Some people question the existence of God.  God not only exists, He has also spoken.  It was in “time past” (past days) that God spoke.  It refers to the Old Testament period, when for twelve centuries God spoke to His chosen race, Israel.  In sovereign grace God spoke in past days, by the prophets, in many separate revelations each setting forth a portion of truth.  He spoke at varying times and in a variety of manners.  The prophet’s such as Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many others, were His instruments, His mouthpiece.  They were God’s divinely inspired spokesmen.  To them, and in them, and by them, He conveyed His mind and will for the people.  To each of the many prophets was given a particular, but partial revelation.  In “past days” His message was particularly for the nation of Israel.

 

It says in the first part of verse 2, (Hebrews 1:2a) “(God) hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (or”in Son”)”.   Here we have a great change and something very wonderful.  The method of divine communication is different.  It is God Himself, as Son, who is speaking.  The speaker, the Son, is God.  He is no longer using prophets to convey His mind and will.  He now, Himself, as God the Son, speaks to men.  God’s preeminent and final revelation to man is in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord Jesus Christ is Himself the final revelation of God to men.  He speaks not only for God but as God.  His revelation is both complete and perfect.  The time period is different.  It is not in “past days” but in “these last days”.  At the close of the period of the testimony of the prophets, God’s Son came into the world with the final and complete revelation from God.  The recipients of the message are different.  His message is not just for the Hebrew but for the Gentile as well.  It is for the entire world.  It is for you personally.  This revelation from God has been divinely preserved and given to us in the Bible which is the Word of God.  It says in, (2 Timothy 3:16) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. 

 

The message of the gospel is for you dear reader.  Did you know that God, through His Word in the Bible, has spoken to you and is speaking to you?  Do you care?  Have you heard His voice?  On March 17, 2003, President George W. Bush, in a live broadcast, gave Iraq’s President a 48 hour ultimatum to relinquish power, or face a military conflict.  President Bush meant what he said.  He kept his word.  Imagine how important the message must be for the sovereign Almighty God to stoop down and speak to us.  God means what He says.  He will indeed keep His Word.  His all-important message, among other things, includes, (Romans 6:23) “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.  And (Acts 16:31) “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”.  Why does God say that you need to be saved?  Why do you need God’s salvation?     Salvation in scripture is always from some danger, some peril.  Those who do not have God’s salvation are said to perish.  To “perish” is to miss the purpose of existence.  The reason for our existence is found in, (Isaiah 43:7) “I have created him (man) for my glory”.  Also, it says, (Ecclesiastes 12:13) “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”.  We see then that the reason for our existence is the glory of God and that we should fear (reverence) Him and keep His word.  The natural man (unsaved man) however, because of sin, has missed the purpose of his existence.  When Adam sinned, he and all mankind in him were alienated from God.  Adam’s sin was imputed to all men.  No man however, will go to hell for the sin of Adam.  That has been righteously dealt with at the cross.  The problem for each person is not the fact of sin which we cannot help.  It is the acts of sin that will bring God’s judgment.  We sin because we are sinners.  Man is not judged because he is a sinner by inheritance.  He is judged because he sins by preference.  In (Romans 3:9-23) we have God’s portrait of man and it is a sad picture indeed.  “Jews and Gentiles, they are all under sin”.  “There is none righteous, no, not one”.  “There is none that doeth good, no, not one”.  “There is no fear of God before their eyes”.  “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.  “All the world … guilty before God”.  From these scriptures in (Romans 3) we see that the whole world and each individual are condemned as guilty before God.  Condemned as to character and conduct.  Man is condemned, guilty and helpless to provide a way of salvation by his own efforts.  Your so called “good works” which may be religious, righteous or remarkable will not save you.  Your infant or adult baptism, your church membership will not save you.  Your pastor, preacher or pope can not save you.  God says in His Word that salvation is, (Titus 3:5)”Not by works of righteousness”.   He says in, (Ephesians 2:8, 9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”; Not of works, lest any man should boast”.  Man is a sinner and sin must be punished.  God’s perfect justice has demanded that the penalty for sin and disobedience be death, i.e., eternal separation from Him.  It says in, (Hebrews 9:27)”It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”.  Dear reader, this brief life ends all too soon.  Most people have no real hope of heaven and thus would prefer to believe that death is the end.  The Bible, the Word of God, teaches that death is not the end of the existence of a person.  At death the body goes to the grave but the soul and spirit of the person, which is an endless being, will experience either eternal bliss in heaven or eternal agony in hell.  Your eternal destiny depends on whether you have received God’s gift of salvation.  God has provided salvation because it says in, (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.  God has proved the truth of this verse by giving us a “Great Savior” and a “Great Salvation” and by extending these days of grace for over 2000 years, giving generation after generation the opportunity to be saved.  Are YOU saved?  Have YOU repented of your sins?  Repentance is the way back to God.  There must be repentance on your part before eternal life is received.  Repentance means “a change of mind”.  In a Biblical sense it means to change your mind about your sin and God’s Savior.  True repentance is to take God’s side against yourself and own up to the fact that you’re a guilty sinner before a holy God.   Until this occurs you will not see your need of the salvation God has provided.  Do YOU know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior?  In this message we want to consider a few things about this “Great Savior” and this “Great Salvation”.

 

SO GREAT A SAVIOR

He is described in, (Hebrews 1:2b, 3)”God hath appointed Him (the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ) heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds:  Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”.  The greatness of the Savior is set forth in these verses by the sevenfold description of His greatness and His glory.  These are as follows:

 

  1. “God hath appointed Him heir of all things” – Here is “The greatness and glory of His Heir ship”.  Because He is the Son of God He is the heir of all things.  It says in, (John 3:35) “The father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand”.  The Father, in love for His Son, has determined that He is the heir of all things.  He is the established inheritor now.  By divine appointment the universe belongs to Him and He will reign over it.  When people get saved they become children of God and it says in, (Romans 8:17) “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”.  Believers will share in the riches of His kingdom.  (2 Corinthians 8:9) “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty (by taking on humanity and dying on the cross) might be rich”.  To be saved and become a child of God is to be “rich” beyond description.
  2. “By whom also He made the worlds” – Here is “The greatness and glory of His creation power”.  Every created thing, both spiritual and physical, was made by Him.  It says in, (John 1:3) “All things were made by Him (the Son of God); and without Him was not anything made that was made”.  It says also in, (Colossians 1:16) “All things were created by Him, and for Him”.  (Psalm 33:6, 9) “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth”.  “For He spake and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast”. 
  3. “Who being the brightness of His (God’s) glory” – Here is “His personal greatness and glory”.  The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the brightness or effulgence of glory.  It says in, (Colossians 2:9) “In Him (the Son of God) dwelled all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”.   He is the radiance, the “shining forth” from God.  The word “glory” is the Greek word “doxa”, which among other things, means, “majesty”, “beauty”, “magnificence”, “fame”.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the out-shinning of the intrinsic excellence of God.  When Christ came into the world He brought to us the holiness, the wisdom, the beauty, and the perfections of God. 
  4. “The express image of His person” – Here is another aspect of “His personal greatness and glory”.  The Son of God is the express image, the exact expression, the perfect revelation of the character of God.  Christ is the visible representation and manifestation of God to created beings.  The substance, the essence of God is seen perfectly in the Son.  The Lord Jesus said in, (John 14:9) “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”.  It says in, (1 Timothy 3:16) “God was manifest in the flesh”.    
  5. “And upholding all things by the word of His power” – Here is “The greatness and glory of His sustaining power”.  He orders not only the physical universe, but the essential laws which hold it together in arrangement.  He does it, “by the word of His power” or “His powerful word”.  He is the One who guides and controls, which preserves and directs who commands and carries all things.
  6. “When He had by Himself purged our sins”. – Here is “The greatness and glory of His redemptive work on the cross”.  This great person, the Son of God, is the One, who by Himself, made purification of sins.  He is the great “Sin-Purger”.  This is the One, who came from heaven, who suffered and bled and died on the cross to save YOU from your sins.  (1 Peter 3:18) “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, (your sins) the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God”.  How can it be that YOU would not believe in Him?  How can it be that YOU would turn your back on this blessed person who loved YOU and gave Himself for you?   Through His finished work on the cross, His death, burial and resurrection, He has made purification for sins.  When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as your own personal Savior you will be cleansed from all your sin.  It says in, (1 John 1:7) “The blood of Jesus Christ, His (God’s) Son, cleanseth us from all sin”. 
  7. “Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – Here is “The greatness and glory of His finished work and His place in heaven”.  Because He has sat down, it means that salvation has been accomplished.  He has finished the work that God gave Him to do.  There is no other offering for sin required.  It says in, (Hebrews 10:12, 13) “This man (the Lord Jesus Christ), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God”.  “From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool”.  This verse is saying that “He has forever sat down”.  Having finished the work of redemption, He sat down in perpetuity at the right hand of God.  The “right hand of God” is the place of honor, the place of power, the place of affection.  Because He was obedient unto death, it says in, (Philippians 2:9)”God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name”.

 

Because He is a “Great Savior” He has provided for us a “Great Salvation”.  Lets consider a few reasons why it is such a “Great Salvation”;

 

SO GREAT A SALVATION

 

The scripture is found in, (Hebrews 2:3) “How shall we escape, if we neglect SO GREAT SALVATION”.  This is a very important question in the Word of God.  “Can YOU escape if you neglect God’s great salvation”?  God’s salvation is great for many reasons.  A few of them are as follows:

 

  1. GOD’S SALVATION IS GREAT IN IT’S SOURCE

It say’s in, (Psalm 68:20) “Our God is the God of salvation”.  Salvation, which is needed by fallen sinful man, can only come from God.  God is the author, the designer, the provider of it.  It say’s in, (Isaiah 45:21, 22) “There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior, there is none beside me.  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.”  God is the source, the originator of salvation.  Because God is great, the salvation He has provided is great also.  God’s salvation is in and through a person, His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It say’s in, (Acts 4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  The Lord Jesus, himself, said in, (John 14:6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”.  Jesus Christ is not “A” way to God; He is “THE” way, the only way to God and God’s salvation. This salvation which is offered so freely, so gratuitously, has been made available at a great cost.  It cost the death of Christ.  God gave His Son and the Son of God gave Himself.  The cost is infinite, incalculable, the precious blood of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. GOD’S SALVATION IS GREAT IN IT’S SCOPE

By this we mean there are no geographical or racial barriers for God’s great salvation.  Any man, women, boy or girl among mankind can be saved.  Those who come in God’s way by demonstrating, as it says in, (Acts 20:21) “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” will be saved.  Repentance is due to God and faith is due to our Lord Jesus Christ.  There is a very important word in the Bible that defines the scope of God’s great salvation.  That word is “whosoever”.  The word includes everyone and anyone.  The word includes YOU.  Where ever you read this word you can insert your own name.  (For further information on this subject, in this website, please click on “Interactive Gospel Messages” and then on “Your Name” and follow the instructions.)  Following are a few of the many important verses in scripture where we find the word “whosoever”;

·        (John 3:16) “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

·        (Acts 2:21) “WHOSOEVER shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved”.

·        (Revelation 22:17) “Let him that is athirst come, and WHOSOEVER will, let him take the water of life freely”.

·        (Revelation 20:15) “WHOSOEVER was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”.

If YOU can not honestly put your name in the first three verses, YOUR NAME is in the last verse.  Dear reader, there is nothing more important than making sure YOUR NAME is in the “book of life”.

  1. GOD’S SALVATION IS GREAT IN IT’S SIMPLICITY

Many people stumble over the simplicity of being saved.  The natural tendency of man is to think that he must work for his salvation.  You can not merit God’s salvation.  You can not earn God’s salvation.  The Bible teaches that we are totally depraved.  It has been said that we may not have committed every sin, but we are capable of doing it.  Sin has affected every part of our being.  What we are is a lot worse than anything we have ever done.  No sinner can enter heaven unless his sins have been forgiven.  If you have committed one sin, you are a sinner, and as a guilty sinner, you need to be saved.  God offers salvation as a free gift.  It says in, (Romans 6:23) “The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.  It says in, (Ephesians 2:8, 9) “By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest any man should boast”.  Have YOU received God’s free gift of salvation?

·        All you need to do is BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

o       The question is asked in, (Acts 16:30, 31) “What must I do to be saved?  The answer is, “BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”.  To believe in Jesus Christ is far more than just intellectual assent to historical facts about His person.  To believe in him is to put your wholehearted faith and trust in Him.  It is not only the consent of the mind but an act of the heart and will.

·        All you need to do is to CALL upon the Lord.  (Romans 10:13) “Whosoever shall CALL upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.  (Isaiah 55:6) “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, CALL ye upon Him while He is near”.

·        All you need to do is to RECEIVE the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  (John 1:12) “As many as RECEIVED Him, to them gave He power (the right or authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”. 

  1. GOD’S SALVATION IS GREAT IN IT’S SUBSTANCE

God’s salvation does far more than deliver man from the consequences of his sin.  The “born again” sinner will be conformed to the image of God’s beloved Son.  The converted sinner will be brought into a perfect union with God.  There is deliverance from the power of sin and Satan.  Once saved, forever saved and you cease to be an enemy of God.  You will be reconciled to God and brought into a state of peace with Him.  You will be given a perfect standing before God because of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior.  Your eternal destiny will change from hell to heaven.  You will have eternal life, a new life not only in quantity but in quality as well.  You will become an heir with God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  You will rule and reign with Him in His kingdom.  When the believing sinner is born again, the Holy Spirit of God is given to dwell within him forever.  You will be placed under the keeping and providing care of God for all your spiritual needs.  The Son of God in heaven will become your great high priest, your advocate, your intercessor before God. 

 

God’s salvation is far more than the few things mentioned above.  The greatness of God’s salvation cannot be fathomed by the human mind.  It can, however, be received and possessed by simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The scripture verse we have been considering is, (Hebrews 2:3) “HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION”.  It is a rhetorical question.  There is no escape from God’s judgment.  There is no where to flee for those who are careless and indifferent about God’s great salvation.  Dear reader, will YOU neglect God’s great salvation?  Will YOU treat it carelessly?  Will YOU disregard it?  Will YOU make light of it?  

 

Dear reader, if YOU remain unsaved, it will not be because God does not love you, or because God’s Son did not die for YOU, but it will be because YOU have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Which will it be for YOU, RECEPTION or REJECTION of the Savior?  YOU are traveling the “highway of life”.  Now that You have read this message, YOU have come to “the crossroads”.  Which way will YOU go?  Will YOU continue to reject the Savior and God’s gift of salvation?  Or, will YOU believe in Him and receive Him as your Lord and Savior?  It is YOUR DECISION and YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

 

Please give this matter your most serious attention.  Will YOU be a believer or a non-believer?  Your eternal destiny depends on your decision.

 

Christian Messenger