Day 4: RECEIVE the Gift of Jesus
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When you hear that, you should just wanna shout “Hallelujah.”
Here is the story: Luke 24:1-7
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, several women took spices they had prepared and went to the tomb (where Jesus was buried). When they got to the tomb, they found the stone that covered the tomb, rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men (the trial), be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (Luke 24: 1-7)
“He has risen!” You should wanna slap your neighbor that is so exciting! You might be thinking, well why is that so exciting. The fact that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead proves that he is the messiah (savior) that God sent to save us. Therefore, since Jesus is the messiah we no longer have to search and wait for the savior, but now all we have to do is receive him, believe him, and submit to him.
Captive by S.I.N.
Have you guys ever wrestled with the term savior? Like what does it mean to have a savior? The best analogy I can think of is this: So you are held captive by the evil terrorist organization: S.I.N., all of a sudden a Rambo like Jesus bursts through the door and subdues everyone. There is no one left, the coast is clear, there is no reinforcements coming. Now what would the Rambo like Jesus be to you?…a savior right. Okay, to have a savior, you first have to know that you are held captive. If you don’t know you are held captive by S.I.N. then the Rambo like Jesus would seem like an enemy or just some other guy that happened to kill everyone that you were around. But what if you know that you are held captive by S.I.N. except you stay put and don’t leave the cell. What would the Rambo like Jesus be then? Would he still be your savior even though you don’t receive his savior-ship (just made that up)? The point I am trying to make is that unless you receive Jesus as your savior then he won’t be your savior. Jesus can do all the saving in the world, but until you get out of the cell and follow him then you can never be saved.
There is a difference between acknowledging that you have been saved and receiving salvation. Acknowledging that your saved means that you are still stuck in the cell, but know that Jesus saved you from sin. It is like Jesus did all the work, but you didn’t take his hand and let him lead you to safety. Receiving salvation means that you know Jesus saved you and you get out of the cell and follow him to safety (heaven). Knowing that you are saved from sin and receiving salvation are two separate things. One means that you have eternal life and the others means you don’t. Imagine that in the analogy that the Rambo like Jesus was going to blow up the island after he saved you. If you don’t leave the cell, will you still live? I mean he is going to blow up where you are held captive.
In today’s world, some Christians say that all you need to do is acknowledge that Jesus is your savior (say a couple of words and BAM your done). Just because you acknowledge that Jesus is your savior doesn’t mean you are saved. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there is a response you have. In the analogy’s context you take the Rambo like Jesus’s hand and follow him to safety. In today’s world, you surrender to him and follow him.
Today’s Challenge:
Ask yourself, “do I just acknowledge Jesus as my savior or have I received him as my Lord and Savior?” Be real with yourself and if you want to talk about it give us a call. We are more than happy to discuss this with you!
Todd Clifton: 918-633-7284
Danny Santos: 918-720-4572
Chase Gordon: 918-237-0564
Go to DAY 5: KNOW the Gift of Jesus here.
Champion Builders 