A Saving Love

February 23, 2015

Opening Hymns:
480 Oh Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh480.sht

Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:9-15

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, ¹³ and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted^[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

1 Peter 3:18-22

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁹ After being made alive,^[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.^[b] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Message:
The scripture in 1 Peter ties everything together. It reminds us of the flood that took place, and the ark that had saved Noah and his family… and it shows us how many more are saved through Jesus Christ. I remember having a hard time with Noah’s story. The God that I know is all powerful, yet all loving. It’s hard to picture our God wiping out nearly everything, and saving so few.

Sometimes I’ve pondered why God was so harsh in the earlier days. Why are there so many stories of death and destruction in the Old Testament? Why couldn’t Jesus come right away? Please don’t get me wrong, I enjoy reading the Old Testament. I’m familiar with many of the stories, and enjoy the lessons that we learn... When you’re having a bad day, or you feel guilty for a sin, the Old Testament can be a good place to feel a little bit better. One can think “at least my life isn’t as bad as Job’s”, or, “at least I didn’t sell my brother to Ishmaelite’s”.

 

Okay, so the Old Testament is for more than just feeling better about yourself. Those scriptures provide us with a deeper understanding of who God is, and a clearer idea of how great of a sacrifice Jesus made. When I read the Old Testament and hear about entire villages destroyed, I remember how blest we are to have our Savior who died to blot out our transgressions. When I read Noah’s story, I’m grateful, not only that God promised not to flood the world again, but also that He has now truly saved it.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for saving us from our sins. Let us remember Jesus’ sacrifice and love as we go out into the world. Let us always remember to share His love with others. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
79 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh079.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.