December 18, 2005

“THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR” 

SCRIPTURE READING:  LUKE 2:1-20 

SCRIPTURE TEXT: LUKE 2:10-11 

   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

INTRO: The Geico bad news and good news, insurance ad. 

I.  THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE WORLD IS IN A MESS AND NEEDS A SAVIOR. 

NOTE: There are two kinds of people in this world who need a Savior: 

• Those who do not realize that they need a Savior.

• Those who know they need a Savior.

1. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO FAIL TO REALIZE THEIR NEED FOR A SAVIOR.

• They do not see themselves as a sinner in need of Salvation.

ISAIAH 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  

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

1 JOHN 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  

• They feel that they are capable of saving themselves.

PROVERBS 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?  

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

2. THERE ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THEY NEED A SAVIOR.   

NOTE:  This group is broken down in to two different groups. 

·         Those who know they need a Savior but don’t know where to find a Savior. 

ACTS 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  

ACTS 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  

NOTE:  They seek to find salvation in many different ways and in many different things but they fail to find it. 

o        Possessions

o        Fame

o        Power

o        Education

o        Religion 

·         Those who know they need a Savior but reject the only one who is capable of being their Savior.   

NOTE: They would rather remain in their sins.   

JOHN 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  

ILL:  When the Wise Men came searching for Jesus, none of the religious leaders went to Bethlehem to see the Messiah. 

II.  THERE IS A SAVIOR FOR THIS SIN DARKENED WORLD. 

LUKE 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

ISAIAH 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  

ISAIAH 60:1-4 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.  

ROMANS 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  

NOTE:  It is our responsibility and privilege as Christians and as God’s Church to reveal to the world that the Savior has come and that all who call on Him shall be saved. 

   This must be done in a spirit of love, acceptance and forgiveness with the soul purpose of bringing them into a right relationship with God. 

PROVERBS 24:11-12 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?  

LUKE 2:17-18, 20 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

MATTHEW 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  

MARK 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.