Deliver Us

Dear Brethren,

We are living in troublesome times.  Our people are being scattered and tossed by every wind of doctrine.  Do we fully comprehend our need for salvation and deliverance?  The name, Jesus, means Savior and Deliverer.  “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:14-15)

Do we realize that there is a deep need for us to cry out to God?  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,  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.”  (Galatians 1:3-4)

We are insufficient of ourselves to direct our own steps in this present evil world.  It is absolutely necessary that we have direct Godly intervention and guidance in our everyday lives.  Do we realize how dangerous and evil the ways of this world are?  Do we earnestly sigh and cry and mourn and weep for deliverance – that we might be spared?  There will soon be a separation made between those who seek God’s way with all their heart, soul and mind on the one hand, from those of the world who resort to their own devious means for their promotion and gain.

“The Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”  (Ezekiel 9:4)

“It shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Savior, and a great one, and He shall deliver them.”  (Isaiah 19:20)

We will be delivered if we cry out to God, and ask Him to deliver us.  But, we must have a right attitude and admit that we have sinned and come short.  “The children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seems good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.”  (Judges 10:15)

It is abundantly clear that we are in a terrible battle.  Our best intentions go awry.  “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me… But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 7:21-25)

Why are God’s people being scattered?  Why do men have so many substitutes for how God would have us live?  Grown children dishonor their parents while claiming to be servants of Christ.  Religious men boast that they will not make a piece of toast in an automatic toaster on the Sabbath, thinking that they do God a favor in righteousness – while they have their wives toil to setup and takedown the makings and serving of a potluck on the same Sabbath day.  Does anyone remember what pure religion is, and how to live it?

“If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”  (James 1:26-27)

Let us pray that God will let us see our weaknesses and shortcomings, and through the help of His Holy Spirit begin to make amends.  “Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.  Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt… But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, please hurry.”  (Psalm 70:1-2, 5)

Our loving Father wants us to continually cry out to Him for His direct intervention in our lives.  “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bears long with them?”  (Luke 18:7)

Brethren, His deliverance is a promise that God expects us to depend upon.  “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”  (2 Timothy 4:18)

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Sermon:

"Deliver Us"