Our Deliverer Part II

Our Deliverer Part II

2 Cor 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

As the good shepherd delivers his flock from all danger until they are safe in the fold, so Christ does deliver us.
With Christ as your savior, your eternity is settled. Your present life is an open question unless you see Him as a PRESENT deliverer.

I. Our great present deliverance.

A. From dangers, both seen and unseen.
Knowing that to depart and be with Christ is far better, we can, if necessary, become quite philosophical about physical danger and even death. If He permits us to live, we will serve Him and if not, we will join Him. Yet the deliverance from the fear of death is the lesser part of our present deliverance through Christ!

B. We are delivered from this present evil world.
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Why would any Christian desire the things of the world when they can only harm him? 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
(A Christian chasing after things of the world is like a dog that chases cars. He is runnung after something he can’t possibly use and if he ever catches it, it will destroy him.)

C. We are rescued from the power of satan.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

D. We need constant deliverance from our ‘selves’.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul has been accused of being psychotic because of his view of sin.
Because he recognized the conflict between the inner and outer man some say he was schizophrenic.
Others claim he was masochistic because he gloried in his infirmities and in persecution.
In truth, he was being realistic. He recognized the existence of our spiritual enemies and was thus able to be delivered from the power of the flesh over the spiritual man. Being delivered from ‘self’ he was able to face death knowing he had done all that was required of him. Having faced the realities of life, he could face the realities of death. 2 Tim 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

II. How does Christ deliver us? What means does He use?
A. From the dangers which surround us, He delivers us by His providential care. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

B. From the power of the devil and the world,
1.He delivers by a greater power. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

To look to the world for help in coping with the world and its pressures is as if a drowning man would seek deliverance by trying to drink the ocean! 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2.By a strong and tested Priest. Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

3.By the Word of God.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

To reject any portion of God’s Word, however small, is to open a hole in God's hedge about us.

C. He delivers from the devil and from our selves by;
1. Chastisement. Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

When my mother's chickens escaped the pen she would clip their wings to keep them in. This was for their own protection. Sometimes God may have to ‘clip our wings’.
2.By the strength of fellowship among the brethren in Truth. Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

D. The most effective deliverance of all is when any of these is accompanied by our prayers.
He heard Jonah from the belly of the whale
He heard Israel from the misery of Egyptian bondage.
He heard David as he fled from king Saul.
He heard Paul in every hour of need.
He will still hear us.