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Jesus Saves
A Sermon based on the
hymn by Priscilla J. Owens
Introduction
“Jesus Saves” is a vibrant, evangelical hymn written by Priscilla J.
Owens in the late 19th century, a time when revival meetings and gospel
preaching stirred the hearts of multitudes. Owens, a dedicated Sunday
school teacher and member of the church of Christ in Baltimore, penned
this hymn to proclaim the joyous and urgent message of salvation. The
music, later composed by William J. Kirkpatrick, adds a triumphant
march-like feel that calls Christians to lift their voices in bold
declaration.
This hymn is not a
quiet meditation—it is a shout of triumph. “Jesus saves!” is not a
wishful hope but a confident proclamation of what Christ accomplished on
the cross and confirmed through His resurrection. As Paul declared in 1
Corinthians 15:3–4, “Christ died for our sins… He was buried… He rose
again.” This is the message that must be heralded from every mountaintop
and whispered in every broken heart.
“Jesus Saves”
reminds us that salvation is not confined to church buildings or private
devotion. It is a global message, meant to be shared with “every
creature” (Mark 16:15). This hymn moves us to act—to preach, teach, and
live the gospel with urgency and joy, because only Jesus can save.
Stanza 1
We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
The gospel is called
“glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15), and rightly so. The good
news is that sinners can be saved, guilt can be removed, and eternity
can be secured—not through works, but through the grace of God in Christ
(Ephesians 2:8–9). This first stanza urges us to move beyond hearing—to
spreading. We are not merely recipients of salvation; we are heralds.
Stanza 2
Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
This stanza
envisions the message of salvation carried across oceans, borders, and
generations. It echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19—“Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations.” There is no sinner too far
gone, no heart too distant. The voice of the gospel must echo across the
globe.
Stanza 3
Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life,
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Here we are reminded
that the Christian life is not without struggle. We are in a spiritual
battle (Ephesians 6:12), but we sing anyway—because Christ has already
won. Through His death and resurrection, the enemy is defeated. As
Romans 8:37 says, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved
us.”
Stanza 4
Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
We must not whisper
the truth—we must proclaim it boldly. This final stanza echoes Psalm
96:3, “Declare His glory among the nations.” The gospel is not just for
private comfort—it is for public proclamation. The whole world is called
to rejoice, for salvation is offered to all through Jesus Christ.
Chorus
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
The chorus, repeated
throughout, is the anthem of every Christian and the heartbeat of God’s
plan. It is the summary of the Bible’s message and the foundation of our
hope. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke
19:10). May this be the cry of our lives.
Jesus Saves
Sermon Outline:
Introduction
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Author:
Priscilla J. Owens
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Theme:
Proclaiming the gospel to the world
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Key Verse: Mark
16:15 – “Preach the gospel to every creature”
Stanza 1 –
Joyful News Must Be Spread
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Romans 10:15 –
Beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news
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Ephesians 2:8–9
– Saved by grace through faith
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Acts 8:4 – Those
scattered went everywhere preaching the word
Stanza 2 – No
Distance Too Great
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Matthew 28:19 –
Go and make disciples of all nations
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Psalm 96:3 –
Declare His glory among the nations
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Isaiah 52:7 –
Proclaiming salvation to the ends of the earth
Stanza 3 –
Victory in the Battle
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Ephesians 6:12 –
We wrestle not against flesh and blood
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1 Corinthians
15:54–57 – Victory through Jesus Christ
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Romans 8:37 –
More than conquerors through Him
Stanza 4 – Bold
Proclamation for All
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Psalm 96:3 –
Declare among the nations
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Luke 24:47 –
Repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations
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Revelation 7:9 –
A great multitude from every nation
Chorus – Our
Shout of Triumph
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Luke 19:10 – The
Son of Man came to seek and to save
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Acts 4:12 –
Salvation in no one else
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Romans 1:16 –
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation
Call to Action
Do you believe that Jesus saves? Then say so—boldly and daily. Don’t
hide the truth that can rescue souls. Let your life and words declare
the glorious gospel. If you have not yet obeyed it, now is the time.
Believe, repent, be baptized, and proclaim with joy: Jesus saves!
Scripture
Reference List
Mark 16:15 – Preach the gospel to every creature
Romans 10:15 – Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
Ephesians 2:8–9 – Saved by grace through faith
Acts 8:4 – They preached the word everywhere
Matthew 28:19 – Make disciples of all nations
Psalm 96:3 – Declare His glory among the nations
Isaiah 52:7 – Proclaim salvation to the ends of the earth
Ephesians 6:12 – Our battle is spiritual
1 Corinthians 15:54–57 – Victory through Christ
Romans 8:37 – More than conquerors through Him
Luke 24:47 – Preach repentance and remission to all nations
Revelation 7:9 – A great multitude from all nations
Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to save the lost
Acts 4:12 – Salvation in no other
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save
Song History
Priscilla J. Owens, a faithful Bible teacher and writer within the
churches of Christ, composed the hymn “Jesus Saves” in 1882. It was
intended for youth and Sunday school but quickly gained widespread
popularity in evangelistic efforts. With its repeated refrain and urgent
message, it became a rallying cry for gospel proclamation and revival
meetings across America and abroad.
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
