JESUS SAVES TO THE UTTERMOST

Matthew 1:29, Hebrews 7:22-25

•        Jesus is called the Saviour today, because none can save like Him. Some time ago, Israel thought they had saviours - the Passover Lambs - but they were not born for the purpose. They saved Israel from Egypt but could not save them from their sins. Jesus, however, was born just to save us and continues to save us well after His blood has atoned for our sins.

•        The Passover lambs were killed to save the Israelites from death on the night God exacted the death of firstborns as the ultimate miracle that moved Pharaoh’s hand to set Israel free. But, on their journey to the Promised Land, only two of the people aged 20 years and above who left Egypt arrived in the Promised Land led by Joshua (whose name incidentally has the same meaning as Jesus).

To Canaan and to Heaven - Similarities

•        The parallels between Israel’s journey to the Canaan and that of the Christian to Heaven are as many as they are remarkable. In this sermon, we will look at a few, and draw necessary warnings:

1.      God asked Pharaoh to let them go to worship Him, just as we are set free from sin only to serve God

2.      God’s work to set Israel free from Egypt’s oppression with the slaying of the Passover Lamb, just as the work for our Salvation was finished on the Cross when Jesus was slain

3.      When they left Egypt, they did not immediately arrive in Canaan, just as we tarry here and serve the Lord after being saved

4.      They encountered diverse challenges in the desert to test their faith in God just as we do to test our faith

5.      They needed a saviour, guide and mediator to get from Egypt to Canaan just as we need to get from sin to Heaven

6.      Those who failed to show sincere faith in God perished in the desert just as those saved today who fail to remain faithful to the end will not make it to Heaven. They are as follows (Rev 21:8/22:15)

a.      Dogs (Cowardly, Unbelieving and Abominable: Return to their vomit (The people after the scouting – Nu 14: 1-4, Mt 7:6,  2Pe. 2:22, – Lk. 9:62)

b.      Murderers: False Report Bearers (10 Scouts – Nu 13:32)

c.      Whoremongers: Married for Heaven, but choose earth (Reuben, Gad, Half Tribe of Manasseh – Nu 32, 1 Ch 5:25,26 cf. Ja 4:3,4)

d.      Sorcerers: Controllers/Rebellious/controlling from wrong angle (Korah, Dathan and Abiram Nu16)

e.      Idolaters: Love a visible controllable God (Aaron and the worshippers of the Calf – Ex.32:

f.       Liars (See Prov. 30:6)

Difference is in the Quality of the Saviour, Guide and Mediator we have in Jesus

1.      Jesus’ blood pays the right price, purifies the conscience and paves the way for the Holy Spirit to live in us, motivate (empower) and counsel us (Heb 9:12-14, Joh 14:17; 16:13, Ac 1:8)

2.      Jesus Himself ever lives to intercede (unlike the lamb and unlike Moses)

3.      Jesus as our Guide, left us a perfect example of humility, gentleness, suffering in contentment to fulfil the will of God (1Pe. 2:21)

Conclusion

Do not deny yourself of this complete package of salvation, Jesus born for that purpose, and land outside the City walls. The Passover lamb and Moses were limited. Jesus is not limited. Today, if you turn to Him, He will save you all the time, and make you fit for the City

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More Comments

1.      Grumblers: The journey led through a desert to the Promised land, yet they complained about desert conditions (food, water, spices) as if they arrived in Canaan the day they left Egypt. Our better land is ahead of us, and the conditions here are by no means what are meant to make us desire a lasting stay here.

2.      Idolaters: They wanted a visible God along the way, although Scripture says “No one has ever seen God” (Joh 4:12). They made on for themselves. Our walk to heaven must ever be by faith. Supernatural manifestations must never be the bedrock of our obedience to God or our loyalty to Him. We must hold His invisible hand through thick and thin, and never attempt to spite Him because we are not seeing what we expect to see.

3.      Doubters: They called what God given them impossible to take, and sought to return to Egypt. When they realized their folly, it was too late and their unrepentant attempt to make amends ended in a disaster. We must not shake in our resolve to make Heaven, no matter what confronts us. God says we can, so we will. After all, we are making it to Heaven not in our own power, but in the power of Christ that is at work in us.

4.      Self-Seekers: They on their own refused to live in the Promised Land because they found conditions on the other side of the Jordan benign, even before they got to check out the Promised Land. Closer examinations of Reuben and Gad reveals that they were feeling entitled as first-borns and were unwilling to share the Promised Land as subordinates to Judah and the rest (Nu 32:1-5, 1Ch 5:25-26)

5.      Almost Perfect: Moses lost focus last just once and took God’s directive as approximate. We must allow all righteousness to e fulfilled, even when we do not fully understand. If the directive is clear enough, follow. We must not take our privileged relationship with the Almighty for granted.