“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14 (NKJV)
“For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (ESV)
“[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
• JESUS’ NAME MEANS SAVIOR.
“There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.” Acts 4:12 (TLB)
Acton Plan: Focus this week on what it means that Jesus’ name means savior. Consider going to blueletterbible.com and typing in the word “savior” in the search box (choose a translation of your liking). Read through the verses that come up throughout the week.
Jesus came in the days of:
- OPPRESSION
- DESPAIR
- o SILENCE HOW DOES JESUS SAVE ME?
•JESUS GIVES ME A FRESH START WITH GOD.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
“I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:12 (NLT)
• JESUS GIVES ME ROOM TO BREATHE.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
• JESUS TURNS MY SCARCITY INTO SUFFICIENCY.
“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
• JESUS GIVES ME STRENGTH TO OVERCOME.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
• JESUS GIVES ME FREEDOM FROM DISTRESS.
“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us . . . [and on] him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NIV)
• THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD OF ALL IS JESUS.
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
To “call on the name of the Lord” means to:
- SUMMON HIS NAME
- SEND HIS NAME
“He is able to save completely those who come to God through him.” Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Acton Plan: Write down at least 3 instances where you were in a “moment of despair.” The moment could be during a grieving period, an accident, etc. Next to each ‘moment of despair’, write down how Jesus saved you: the moment you felt or experienced God giving you a fresh start; the moment you felt the stress off your shoulders and felt you could breathe; the moment you felt strength to face and overcome your crisis, etc.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship starts a series looking at some of your favorite Christmas carols, with special performances by Saddleback Worship. First up, Joy to the World. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
