Summary: We must accept Christ as our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Lord.

REDEEMER, SAVIOR, LORD

Text: Isaiah 60:16

Introduction:

· Believe in George Washington, but don’t know him personally.

· Those who follow Christ must not only believe in Him mentally, but also must accept Him as Redeemer, Savior, and Lord.

A. Redeemer

· Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price.

· You were in bondage to sin (John 8:34)

· Jesus paid the ransom price (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:17 – 19; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)

B. Savior

· Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: A person who rescues others from evil, danger, or destruction.

· To be a savior, one must possess both the desire to save and the ability to save

· 911 victims jumping from top stories of World Trade Center; firemen had desire to save, but not the ability

· Woman stabbed in Chicago convenience store; bystanders had the ability to save, but not the desire

· Jesus has the desire to save us from our sins (Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15)

· Jesus has the ability to save us from our sins (Hebrews 7:25)

· Only Jesus has both the desire and ability (Acts 4:12)

· Jesus became our redeemer when He died on the cross; He becomes our Savior when we ask Him to forgive us for our sins (Romans 10:13)

C. Lord

· Lord implies that He is our Master; we do His will, not ours

· Jesus doesn’t force His Lordship on us; we should allow Him to be our Lord out of gratitude

· Man who bought slave to free him; slave decided to stay out of gratitude

· Colossians 3:23, 24; John 12:26; Matthew 16:24, 25

Conclusion:

· Is the Redeemer your personal Savior?

· Man saved from drowning by law student; comes before him for murder; he was the savior, now he is the judge

· Is the Savior your Lord?