Sunday Words of Encouragement February 26, 2023 - More Than a Savior

Our Sunday School teacher continued to speak on Revival noting that our youth and people need a sovereign move of God, not entertainment. What is happening in this revival (at Asbury University and Pursuit for NW, plus more) should be the normal where people are hungry for God. In true revival God recenters himself as the focus of our hearts. Revival is each day renewal, walking with God is daily, not just a Sunday event. We need to be careful not to get stuck doing church instead of worshiping.

Our Service began with wonderful worship and praise songs. In offering, Pastor reminded us to put God first and give Him the first fruits. He'll bless the rest.

The sermon was from Acts 2:36-41. I named it “More than a Savior”.
Verse 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Many Christians accept Jesus as their savior. But do they acknowledge Him as Lord? When we allow God to move in our life, others are watching and many respond. When we know for certain that God made Him [Jesus] both Lord and Christ, we recognize that He was specifically made for the office He grew into. He was made for an eternal purpose.

All creation is subject to the Lord's authority. He has all authority given from the Beginning. “All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17.
Eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue will “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Philippians 2:10-11.

We have all seen a bratty child throw a fit because they want to be out from under the authority of their parent or teacher.

God manages all the world (not just the neighborhood like Bruce Almighty or Evan Almighty).
When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we accept His authority.

Pastor noted the story of the Shunammite woman. 2 Kings 4:8-37. God had blessed her hospitality to Elisha by giving her a son. When the son died in the field, the woman didn’t despair or seek help from her husband or Elisha’s servant. But she went to Elisha with her need, trusting that the God who gave the promise would be faithful to honor the promise. Elisha revived her son.

Believers are told we are bought with price and God owns us.1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Our position needs to be more than accepting Christ as Savior, but needs to allow Him to be Lord. We are slaves to sin until we become slaves of Christ. It is a complete act of surrender. We need to acknowledge a mindset that says “If the Lord wills....” We choose to live in God’s choice, under His plan.

Those listening to Peter “…were cut to the heart... “ Verse 37. They were told to “Repent… and be baptized…” Keeping in mind that repentance means more than saying, “I’m sorry”. It means making a 180 degree turn. Turn away from your own way to follow God’s way. Seek the Will of God.

I found this Song Video that fits today’s message. I Am Not My Own.

Verses for Today:
Acts 2:36-41 NKJV
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.


God, help me to remember every day to acknowledge Jesus as my Lord as well as my Savior.