Podcast Summary
God as Savior: We need a personal, transformative encounter with God as our Savior to experience His love and freedom, not just accumulating information about Him
We all need a deeper revelation of God as our Savior. Pastor Allen emphasized that it's not enough to just accumulate information about God; we need a personal, transformative encounter with Him. This idea can be offensive to those who think they have it all figured out or are too proud to admit their need for salvation. Jesus' message to the religious leaders in His day still applies today: we are all in need of God's grace and mercy. By asking for a revelation of God as our Savior, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of His love and the freedom that comes from surrendering to Him. The ministry of Alan Jackson encourages us to spread this message and become more fully devoted followers of Jesus. You can deepen your understanding of this concept by reading "An Extraordinary Life," a book written by Betty Jackson, who experienced a profound encounter with God and dedicated her life to sharing His love with others. Request a copy when you donate $30 or more at alanjaxon.com or by calling 855-5772255.
Recognizing_God_as_savior: Our need for salvation and recognizing God as our savior is a constant throughout our lives, as acknowledged by King David and the Psalmist. Our salvation comes only from God, not through our own efforts.
We all need a Savior, as acknowledged by King David in 2 Samuel 22. David, in the midst of his triumphs, recognized God as his rock, fortress, deliverer, and ultimate savior. Our faith is not about a moral code or set of rules, but rather about recognizing God as our savior and the source of our salvation. We may have professed our faith and acknowledged our need for salvation at one point, but our need for God's saving power remains constant throughout our lives. The problems of humanity cannot be solved through our own efforts, and the solution lies in Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth. The people of God are called to carry this message, but we often forget and ignore the truth that our salvation comes only from God. As the Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 106:23, even the Hebrew people, who experienced the greatest story of deliverance in the Bible, forgot their Savior.
Forgotten Savior: Even with religious practices and traditions, it's possible to forget the true meaning of faith and the role of God as our Savior. Remembering and embracing this truth can inspire us to make a difference in the world.
Even those with a strong religious background can forget the true meaning of their faith and the role of God as their Savior. The passage from Isaiah 17 serves as a reminder to the people of God, who had daily sacrifices, a temple, and annual holidays, yet had reoriented their lives and forgotten their Savior. This message is particularly relevant for American Christians today, as it's easy to rely on our past and assume that our faith history is sufficient for the future. The call to action is to remember that God is our Savior and to be open to the opportunities He presents to make a difference in the world. Pastor Allen's personal story of his parents' impactful faith and the publication of their book, An Extraordinary Life, serves as an inspiration to live authentically and make a difference for the kingdom of God.
God as Creator and Savior: God is essential for fulfillment and contentment as our Creator and Savior, and trusting Him for well-being, security, and justice is important, while advocating for Jesus unapologetically.
There is no savior besides God. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no plan B. We were designed for a relationship with Him, and nothing can adequately fill the God-shaped void in our lives. God has a plan for our well-being, security, and justice, and ultimately, we should trust Him for these things, even while utilizing the resources and institutions available to us. We must remain unrepentant, unapologetic, and unrelenting advocates for Jesus, as He makes life better, not limiting or diminishing it. God is our Creator and Savior, and acknowledging Him in this way is essential for fulfillment and contentment.
God's justice and salvation: Even in difficult circumstances, God is our source of justice and salvation, and trusting in Him can lead to new understandings and appreciation of His role in our lives.
Even in difficult circumstances or situations where we feel frustrated, agitated, or unsettled, we should remember that God is the ultimate source of justice and salvation in our lives. It's easy to get mad at God or lose faith during distressing times, but it's important to remember that He is our rock and Savior, even when we don't like the circumstances. As Jeremiah, a prophet in the Bible, learned, standing up for God's truth can be challenging and may not always be met with approval or applause. But it's essential to be the church and stand up for God, even when it's not convenient or comfortable. Trusting in God's justice and salvation can lead to new understandings and appreciation of His role in our lives.
Seeking truth from reliable sources,: Seek truth from reliable sources like doctors and religious leaders during distress, acknowledge sins, and ask for God's presence and salvation.
It's essential to seek the truth from those who can provide it, such as doctors and religious leaders. Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 14 serves as an example of a heartfelt plea for God's mercy and intervention during times of distress. This prayer can be adapted and used as a personal prayer in difficult situations, acknowledging our sins and asking for God's presence and salvation. The prayer also highlights the importance of God as our savior and the need for His unwavering presence in our lives. The book "An Extraordinary Life" by Pastor Allen's mom, Ms. Betty, shares inspiring stories of how God used a veterinarian family to make a difference in the world. Consider donating $30 or more to receive a copy and be encouraged by their faith journey.