Sermon

Thank God for the hope of salvation which man has received through Jesus Christ. The Greek word ‘soteria’ has been translated as salvation. In the New Testament salvation means the deliverance from the strength and powers of sin. The word soteria (salvation) is used in two places to point Jesus (Lk 2:31, 3:6) Simeon carrying Jesus in his hands declares, “Mine eyes have seen your salvation”. Christ is called the author of salvation (Heb. 2:10). The word salvation is used for the national liberation also (Lk 1:69-71, Acts 7:25). The Septuagint (LXX) uses soteria and its related words 483 times. The greatest blessing to a Christian is the hope of salvation. The idea of salvation is spread over at many places in the New Testament.

• Jesus as salvation (Lk 2:31; Heb 2:10).
• Spiritual Salvation. The deliverance a person receives from the punishment of sin through the faith in Jesus (Rom 8:10; Eph 2:4-8).
• The salvation of life or spirit (2 Pet 1:9).
• The salvation of the body or glorification (Rom 13:11).
• Total salvation (Heb 11:40; 1 Thess 5:23).

As we meditate on the hope of salvation, first we meditate on God who saves. Secondly, the salvation received through the grace of Christ is also meditated upon. Finally, the total salvation of man and the cosmic salvation received at the end are also meditated upon.

1.God who saves (Zeph. 3:14-25)

Zephaniah speaks of a God who saves (Zeph. 3:14-20). Salvation comes from God. We inherit it by the grace of God. So the psalmist says “hope of salvation” (Ps. 43:5). At many places in the Bible we find the concept of a saving God. The psalmist who is downcast in his heart finds peace after uttering these words. ‘Put your trust in the Lord, he is my saviour’ (Ps. 43:5).

2.The hope of salvation assured in Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:18-23)

‘Jesus’ is called by this name because he saves men from their sins (Matt. 1:21). We attain this salvation through faith (1 Peter 3:9). Paul interprets that salvation is the gift of the grace of God (Eph. 2:8). Salvation is the free inheritance that Jesus gives men to reconcile with God who are separated by sin. So we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 5:8; 5:2). A person receives it simply by faith. Thus, as Peter says, salvation of the soul is received through faith without seeing.

3.The perfection of Salvation ( 2 Pet. 3:8-13)

One of the basics of Christian faith is the belief in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that at his coming the faithful  those who died in his will be collected from the one end of the sky to the other from all the four directions (Mk. 13:37). The apostle says that he will appear for a second time not to bear sin but for the salvation of those who are waiting for him (Heb. 9:28). As said earlier, Saint Peter also explains the salvation that men will receive at the second coming of Christ (1 Pet. 1:11,12; 2 Pet. 3: 8- 13). On that day all the tears will be wiped out permanently from our eyes. Death, sadness, mourning and pain will pass away. The old order of things will pass away and everything will be made new (Rev. 21:4,5).

Prayer

Almighty God, our Saviour, and our Hope of Salvation, grant us the wisdom to live in anticipation of a new heaven and new earth, a holy and godly life, trusting in You as our Saviour and walking with You as our Immanuel in order that our hearts may be enlightened to know the hope to which You have called us, through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever more. Amen.