In the Bible, a name often signifies a person's identity, purpose, and reputation. It's not just a way to distinguish one person from another; it's a profound statement about who they are. Throughout this study, we'll explore how the names given to Jesus—from Old Testament prophecies to New Testament revelations—build a complete picture of His role in God's redemptive plan.
In this session we look at the title Savior/Great Deliverer.
The title "Savior" is not just a polite label for Jesus; it is the most essential description of His mission. A savior is one who rescues or delivers from danger and destruction. The Bible reveals that humanity is in desperate need of a Savior, and Jesus is the only one who can fill that role perfectly.
Titus 2:11-14 NIV [11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Opening Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for the truth of Your Word. As we study the beautiful title of Jesus as our Savior, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to open our hearts to its full meaning. Show us what it means to be delivered by Your Son, and help us to live in the freedom that He provides. In Jesus's name, Amen.
In the Bible, a name often signifies a person's identity, purpose, and reputation. It's not just a way to distinguish one person from another; it's a profound statement about who they are. Throughout this study, we'll explore how the names given to Jesus—from Old Testament prophecies to New Testament revelations—build a complete picture of His role in God's redemptive plan.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:23 NLT “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
So far our study has been on the names Immanuel (Matthew 1:23 NLT “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”), Christ/Messiah-The Anointed One (Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV [1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, - Luke 4:16-22 NIV [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Anointed One was expected to perform a number of specific tasks:
Bring good news to the poor.
Bind up the brokenhearted.
Proclaim liberty to the captives.
Open the prison to those who are bound.
Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.
Comfort all who mourn.
The key to understanding his purpose—is that he stops reading mid-sentence. He reads through "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" but stops before the phrase "and the day of vengeance of our God."
By stopping where he did, Jesus was indicating that his first coming was focused on the "year of the Lord's favor"—a time of grace, mercy, and salvation.
The last two weeks the name for Jesus that we looked at was The Word
John 1:1-5, 14 (NIV) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Greek word for "Word" is Logos. In ancient Greek philosophy, the Logos was a complex concept often referring to the divine reason or mind that gives order and meaning to the universe. John uses this term intentionally to communicate that Jesus is the ultimate, personal, and living Logos—not an abstract philosophical idea, but the very mind and purpose of God made manifest.
God the Son, the Word, became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. The Word becoming flesh was not just a symbolic act, but a tangible, historical event that made it possible for humanity to be reconciled with God.
Which brings us to our study today of the title of Jesus as our Savior, or Great Deliverer
Key Scripture:
Titus 2:11-14 NIV [11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Introduction:
The title "Savior" is not just a polite label for Jesus; it is the most essential description of His mission. A savior is one who rescues or delivers from danger and destruction. The Bible reveals that humanity is in desperate need of a Savior, and Jesus is the only one who can fill that role perfectly.
Romans 5:12-19 NIV [12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— [13] To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. [14] Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. [15] But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! [16] Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. [17] For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! [18] Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NIV [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
We will look at what we are saved from and, most importantly, what we are saved for.
I. The Problem: The Condition That Requires a Savior
Romans 5:12 NIV Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
According to this verse, how did sin and death enter the world. Because of Adam's disobedience, sin entered the world and spread to all people, bringing with it the consequence of spiritual death.
Adam and Eve were created in a state of perfect relationship with God. They were given one command: not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. When Adam disobeyed this command, he committed the first sin. This act was not just a single transgression, but a fundamental rebellion against God's authority and a rejection of His will. It represented a shift from a state of innocence to one of sin.
There are several ways this is understood:
Federal Headship: This view sees Adam as the representative or "federal head" of the entire human race. When he sinned, he did so on behalf of all humanity. His sin is therefore "imputed" or legally credited to all people who are his descendants.
Inherited Nature: This perspective suggests that Adam's sin corrupted human nature itself. As a result, all people are born with a sinful nature—a predisposition or inclination to sin. We sin because we are sinners by nature, not just because we follow Adam's example.
The Consequence: Spiritual Death: This is the direct result of sin. In Christianity, "death" is understood in more than one way:
Physical Death: The separation of the soul from the body. This is a direct consequence of the Fall, as humanity lost access to the Tree of Life and became subject to mortality.
Spiritual Death: The separation of the soul from God. This is the more profound and immediate consequence of Adam's sin. When he disobeyed, his relationship with God was broken. He was no longer in communion with God, as seen by their immediate shame and attempt to hide. This spiritual separation is the state in which all people are born, "dead in transgressions and sins"
Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV [1] As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. [4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This concept of spiritual death is critical because it explains why humanity is in need of salvation. We are not just flawed; we are fundamentally separated from the source of life, which is God. The purpose of Jesus's sacrifice is to reverse the effects of Adam's disobedience, offering a path to reconciliation with God and eternal life.
Sin is not just an action; it is a state of separation from a holy God. We are all born into this condition, and no amount of good works, moral behavior, or religious effort can reverse it. This is the universal problem that only a divine Savior could solve.
II. The Solution: The Work of the Savior
What is required for the forgiveness of sins?
Hebrews 9:22 NIV In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
So how do we receive redemption and forgiveness?
Ephesians 1:7 NIV [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
What does this verse say about how we receive redemption and forgiveness?
Our redemption is found exclusively in Christ. The word "redemption" refers to being "bought back" or "set free" from slavery by the payment of a ransom. The previous discussion of Adam's disobedience and the bondage of sin makes this concept clear. We were enslaved to sin and its consequence, spiritual death, but Christ has paid the price to free us.
"...through his blood...": This is the "how." The blood of Jesus represents His sacrificial death on the cross. In the Old Testament, the shedding of an animal's blood was the means of atonement for sin. This verse shows that Jesus's death was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that permanently atoned for the sins of all who believe. It was the cost required to redeem us.
Hebrews 10:4-10 NIV [4] It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ” [8] First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. [9] Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The result of that sacrifice was"...the forgiveness of sins...": This is the result of that redemption. Forgiveness is not something we earn; it is a direct consequence of Christ's sacrifice. His death paid the penalty for our sins, making it possible for God to forgive us and reconcile us to Himself without compromising His justice.
"...in accordance with the riches of God’s grace": We are redeemed and forgiven not because we are worthy, but because God is overflowing with grace. His forgiveness is not given in a limited, calculated way, but lavishly and generously, reflecting the immense wealth of His kindness and love.
Redemption and forgiveness are a gift from God, made possible solely by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. We receive this salvation by being "in him"—by faith and belief in who He is and what He has done.
The saving work of Jesus was an act of perfect sacrifice. He, as the sinless Son of God, became the ultimate sacrifice, shedding His blood to cleanse us from the stain of sin. The title "Savior" is earned through His actions on the cross. He delivered us from the power of sin by taking the punishment for it Himself, a debt that we could never repay.
III. The Result: What We Are Saved For
Salvation is not only about escaping punishment; it is about entering into a new reality. Jesus saved us to transfer us from darkness to light and from death to life.
What kind of life does Jesus promise to give us as our Savior?
John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jesus promises to give us life in abundance, or an abundant life. This is a life that is full, rich, and overflowing with meaning and purpose, in contrast to the destructive goals of the thief (Satan).
What two things has the Father done for us through His Son?
Colossians 1:9-14 NIV [9] For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. [13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness. This means we have been freed from the power and control of sin and evil.
He has brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. This signifies a transfer of our allegiance and identity from the kingdom of darkness to God's kingdom.
What was Jesus's purpose in giving Himself for us? What kind of people does He want us to be?
Titus 2:11-12 NIV [11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Jesus's purpose in giving Himself for us was twofold:
To redeem us from all wickedness. This purpose directly addresses the problem of sin and its power over our lives.
To purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. This second purpose reveals what kind of people He wants us to be. He desires us to be His unique people, set apart from the world, and actively motivated to live a life that reflects His goodness.
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