Living Savior Podcast

Jesus tells us that our sins and our inability to escape them is evidence of an oppressive spiritual slavery. Left to ourselves, we are unable to live in the freedom for which God designed us. Yet that is why Son of God came, to free us from the slavery of sin and to save to be his own forever. He grants God’s saving grace through faith in his teachings as they are recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures. So we hold to God’s Word not because of a tradition or human mandate, but because these words of God are true, and this truth sets us free.

Jesus tells us that our sins and our inability to escape them is evidence of an oppressive spiritual slavery. Left to ourselves, we are unable to live in the freedom for which God designed us. Yet that is why Son of God came, to free us from the slavery of sin and to save to be his own forever. He grants God’s saving grace through faith in his teachings as they are recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures. So we hold to God’s Word not because of a tradition or human mandate, but because these words of God are true, and this truth sets us free.

Faith is not a decision we’ve made. It’s not a choice we’ve arrived at. It is a free gift that God gives as the Holy Spirit works through God’s Word. The power of God’s Word rests on the authority of God. Therefore, no matter what our problem might be, we trust in God’s power. That’s what Jesus calls “great faith”!

Faith is not a decision we’ve made. It’s not a choice we’ve arrived at. It is a free gift that God gives as the Holy Spirit works through God’s Word. The power of God’s Word rests on the authority of God. Therefore, no matter what our problem might be, we trust in God’s power. That’s what Jesus calls “great faith”!

Christians in the modern world are tempted to think too little about the struggles that truly plague us. We easily point to worldwide, national, even local issues and all-the-while overlook the issues that threaten our heart and soul. What about your heart makes you right with God? Answer: nothing on your own. But while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. What makes us right with God is not so much what is in our heart, but what is in the heart of God — grace.

The economists are right! Every financial upswing is always followed by a financial downturn. Every monetary gain inevitably leads to monetary loss. So those who find security in earthly wealth eventually will be gravely disappointed, especially when they die and realize they can’t take anything with them.

God alone gives true security. God alone gives the good things that last forever. God alone is the Helper you need, as Holy Scripture tells you so clearly. Listen to it carefully. Realize once again that giving glory to God alone is at the heart of the matter.

Throughout this series we have seen that one cannot have a neutral opinion when it comes to Jesus. He gave more than mere advice. He staked a claim on reality with his life, death, and resurrection. But the more we know how good the news about Jesus is, the more we realize which side we want to be on. That’s true today in our final Sunday in this series. Even though Satan will never be done with his attacks, Jesus has triumphed over him and all evil angels by his life, death, and resurrection. So we praise God for his cosmic control over all things and thank him that our names are written in heaven.

Throughout this series we have seen that one cannot have a neutral opinion when it comes to Jesus. He gave more than mere advice. He staked a claim on reality with his life, death, and resurrection. But the more we know how good the news about Jesus is, the more we realize which side we want to be on. That’s true today in our final Sunday in this series. Even though Satan will never be done with his attacks, Jesus has triumphed over him and all evil angels by his life, death, and resurrection. So we praise God for his cosmic control over all things and thank him that our names are written in heaven.

We believe in heaven. Heaven is ultimately the presence of God. We are made for eternity in the presence of God where love and joy are boundless, and where pain and frustration do not exist. Therefore, all that we possess in this life should never get in between us and God. Furthermore, our Savior calls us to use our wealth wisely and to even win others over for eternal dwellings. Since we are children of our Father and heirs of heaven, we view all of our possessions and every penny through this frame. Such perspective frees us from greed and disappointment. Instead we are freed for a life of purpose, contentment, and generosity to God and for others.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” Jesus’ dying on the cross and his rising from the tomb are true. His saving grace for sinners is true. So our following him in faith and love is of infinite importance. No one must come between us and our Savior. Is such allegiance worth it? God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also, along with Jesus, graciously grant us all things?