What Makes a Saint (Bible word) (Revelation 19:5-9)
Gary McManus, 11/06/2022Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
November 6, 2022 Revelation 19:5-9
All Saints Sunday; celebrate the saints (holy ones)
living now and living evermore. Different denominations have their definitions of “saint.” A Bible definition includes: faith in Jesus, following Jesus in the path Jesus sets before them—and their good works that salvation through faith allows them to do—new life (Romans 10:9, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:4-10).
You and I are saved two ways. We are saved from and we are saved for. We are saved from Hell and we are saved for good deeds (Colossians 1:9 ff , Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 2:4-10, Ephesians 4:22-24; all citations are our affirmations of faith).
To be saved for special service is the very meaning of the word HOLY—something for special use. . utensils, tools, or people, the saints. Divine use. Divine purpose.
See all the Apostles’ letters of the New Testament.
Most American Protestants have misused the word “saint.” Some Bible versions don’t use the word saint, only “holy ones.”
Popular culture emphasizes our behavior to make a saint. Not the Bible.
The Bible emphasizes Jesus to make a saint. Jesus makes saints.
Know the song "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky", 1948?
“Cowboy, change your ways today.”
Jesus isn’t even mentioned.
This viewpoint is more than wrong,
this viewpoint is hopeless. (Ephesians 2:4-10)
We remember the saints because they lived trusting
in Jesus. . .their hope was in Jesus, they, like us
described in Hebrews 12:1-2.
How did the saints become saints? Trusting in Jesus.
There are different WAYS to trust in Jesus.
--Trust in Jesus as teacher (Martha and Mary,
Luke 10:38-42 ) OR
--Trust in Jesus as counsellor (Zacchaeus,
(Luke 19: 1-10)
--How many times did Jesus declare to someone
that their faith made them well? How many of
today’s saints came through illness declaring:
“God did it.” Trust in Jesus as healer.
--Trust in Jesus as exorcist (with prayer):
Mark 9:29. Trust Jesus in prayer.
Pastor made a typical American mistake at
the trunk N treat. Pastor stated that good
looking witches can’t scare anyone.
Then Pastor remembered two things:
--Satan looks great—he is an angel!
(2 Corinthians 11:14)
--Jesus said that evil comes from within us
(Mark 7:21)
And, remember, even Eve said that the forbidden
fruit looked good. Could it possibly be bad?
(Genesis 3:6) Americans spent $16.7 billion in 2020 to look good.
Look good or not, only Jesus can make us DO GOOD. Trust in Jesus.
There is no secret to being a saint—the answer
is always Jesus. Amen.
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