Now is the Day of Salvation
And They Remembered His Words • Sermon • Submitted
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· 261 viewsA message that looks at God's work of Salvation and the urgency of our response.
Notes
Transcript
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Once upon a time an old man from Bedford, PA dressed in work overalls went into the bus station in Pittsburgh. There, he ordered something to eat at the food counter. When he sat down to eat he bowed his head to pray. Some young men saw this and one of them decided to tease him, he said, “Hey, old man! Does everybody pray before they eat where you come from?” The old man lifted his head after he finished praying and said, “Nope. The hogs don’t”
Introduction
Introduction
Throughout the month of July our Theme has been this simple word, “NOW”
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
This word “Now” is the thread that links them all together. “Now” connects the previous verse with the present verse. We said that “Now” is a primary particle of present time. Immediate or henceforth. The word “Now” has never been more important to the message of the verse than it is in today’s passage.
Back in John 2 we read about the marriage feast at Cana. It is the place where Jesus performs his first truly public miracle. His mother comes to him and says, “They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
In Scripture we read what Mary said to the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you do it.” What is not recorded is what Mary says, if anything to Jesus. Some of you may have joined me in watching the Episodic Presentation of Jesus ministry, “The Chosen.” The writers give us a glimpse of what may take place behind the scenes of Scripture. In the scene that records the events of John, chapter 2. When Jesus says,, “mine hour is not yet come.” Mary replies, “If not now, when?” Now is a very powerful word.
The Apostle Paul as he writes to the church in Corinth has in Chapter 5 verses 16-21 explained the message of Salvation
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2 he shares the implications of this message with the recipients of his letter sharing with them 3 Things that God was doing then and is doing right now. Let’s look at them together.
Body
Body
Now God Hears
Now God Hears
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
We have a hearing God
Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, And in a day of salvation have I helped thee: And I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, To establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
God heard Hezekiah in an acceptable time.
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Now God Helps
Now God Helps
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
The word Succors is (Boetheo). It means to help, bring aid.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Someone once said God is not early, but he is never late.
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.
Now God Hearkens
Now God Hearkens
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Twice in this verse God shines a light to get your attention, twice he says Behold. Paul uses that very Jewish practice of parallel phrases, repeating a truth for emphasis.
Many live as if they have all the time in the world to make things right with God before they pass from this world or devote more of their lives to the service of God before they die and meet the Lord. The reality is: no one knows about tommorrow.
1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Conclusion
Conclusion
In season 2, Episode 8 of “the Chosen,” Jesus is getting ready to deliver the Sermon on the mount. Just before he goes out to preach, in a private moment with his mother this phrase again appears. It seems she is worried about this next big step in his ministry. Jesus says to her, “If not now...” To which she replies, “…when?”
We have seen again that Salvation begins with God, “For God so loved the World.” “God commendeth his love to us...”
God Heard
God Helped
God Harkened
How will you respond? Will you accept or reject. You may say I am not ready, I will wait. But if not now, when?
Today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation.