God, Our Savior and Our Sustainer

Introduction

1. Text: Eph. 1:19,20.
2. God wants us to know that His power is able to save us.
   1. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).
   2. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10).
3. But “salvation” from what? The word “salvation” encompasses far more than the forgiveness of our past sins.
   1. God’s power is capable of helping us in whatever way we need to be “saved” (rescued, delivered).
   2. This begins with the forgiveness of our past sins, of course — but it goes on to deal with all the other problems that are consequences of sin in the world.
4. In the past, God has demonstrated the power with which He is willing to help us – Rom. 8:31,32.
5. So how is what God has done in Jesus Christ connected to what He will do on our behalf?

I. God Did Raise Jesus from the Dead

1. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the center of the gospel – 1 Cor. 15:3,4.
2. Ultimately, it was by the power of the resurrection that God demonstrated that Jesus was His Son – Ac. 17:31; Rom. 1:4.
3. And ultimately, it is the resurrection of Christ upon which our faith in God’s power rests – 1 Pt. 1:21. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:14,17.

II. God Has Saved Us from Our Sins

1. Our justification from sin depends on Jesus, who was raised from the dead and seated at God’s right hand to make intercession for us – Rom. 8:33,34.
2. Baptism “saves” us “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt. 3:21,22).
3. The faith that saves us when we are baptized is “faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:12).
4. God has “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:5,6). Cf. Rom. 6:4,5.

III. God Will Sustain Us through Life

1. Having saved us from our past sins, God does not cease to help us – Phil. 1:6; 2 Pt. 1:3. Cf. Eph. 3:20.
2. The resurrected Christ has overcome the world and is able to help us overcome whatever tribulation life in the world may involve – Jn. 16:33.
3. There is literally nothing to fear when our trust is in a God who raises the dead – 2 Cor. 1:9,10. Cf. Heb. 2:14,15.
4. The message of Revelation is that it is possible to overcome through Christ – Rev. 2:7. Cf. 21:7.

IV. God Will Raise Us to Eternal Life

1. Looking beyond this life, our hope of an eternal “inheritance” is based on the resurrection of Christ from the dead – 1 Pt. 1:3-5.
2. The “second death” has no power over those who are in Christ – Rev. 20:6.
3. Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits” of our own – 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:20,23. Cf. Jn. 5:24-30; Rom. 8:11; Rev. 1:5.

Conclusion

1. God has “predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself” (Eph. 1:5). But God does not adopt us as sons and then abandon us!
2. “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing” (Martin Luther).
3. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jd. 24,25).
4. Knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection is worth whatever sacrifice may have to be made – Phil. 3:8-11.