The Man Who Saves | Jackie Hill Perry | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Man Who Saves

Jackie Hill Perry

Jan 22, 2026 • 42 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Jackie Hill Perry examines the crucifixion scene in Luke 23:32–43 to expose humanity's deeply ingrained drive to save itself. While the crowd mocked Jesus and demanded He rescue Himself from the cross, Christ stayed on the cross as the sinless Son of God to bear the penalty of sin that we deserved. True salvation requires giving up self-reliance, cultural Christian complacency, and self-righteousness to place total faith in the Savior who paid our debt.

Themes

Substitutionary AtonementSalvation by GraceSelf-Reliance vs. FaithRepentance and RighteousnessSovereignty of God

Pastor's Points

1.

The man in the middle

2.

The man in us all

3.

The men on the cross

Key Points

1.
The man in the middle—Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God—hung on the cross not for His own sins, but as an innocent substitute for humanity.
2.
Human nature continually attempts self-salvation by utilizing gifts, relationships, or vices to escape insecurity and guilt.
3.
Jesus refused to save Himself from the cross because saving Himself would have made it impossible to fulfill the script and save us.
4.
The crowd and soldiers mocked Jesus' identity because Satan continually tempts believers and Christ to prioritize immediate physical relief over submission to God.
5.
Cultural Christianity and moral good behavior can create a deceptive self-righteousness that hides a person's actual need for spiritual rebirth.
6.
True repentance involves confessing not only the evil we have committed, but also examining and repenting of the self-righteous motives behind our good deeds.
7.
To be saved by God means being saved from God's righteous wrath for God's eternal purpose and glory.
8.
The penitent thief on the cross was welcomed into paradise not by virtue of works, baptism, or theological mastery, but purely because Jesus granted him entry.

Sermon Moments

“James Cameron script illustration: 'The answer is very simple. It says on page 147 of the script that Jack dies.'”

“Jackie's contrast on salvation: 'We like saviors. We don't like sinners.'”

“Explanation of human self-salvation: 'We use our gifts to save us from certain insecurities... We are all always trying to save ourselves from something.'”

“Tim Keller quote on repentance: 'True Christians don't just repent for the bad they do. True Christians repent for the reason why they did good.'”

“Core definition of salvation: 'To be saved by God is to be saved from God for God.'”

“Alistair Begg heaven's gate illustration: 'On what basis are you here? Well, the man on the middle cross said I can come.'”

This Week

Identify areas where you rely on personal talent, relationships, or vices to save yourself rather than trusting in Jesus.

Examine the underlying motives behind your good deeds and repent of any self-righteous desire for spiritual self-justification.

Reflect on whether your faith is based on genuine conviction or merely on cultural upbringing and routine.

Practice extending unconditional forgiveness to someone who has wronged you, reflecting Christ's prayer on the cross.

Memorize Romans 3:25 to anchor your heart in the truth of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice.

Rest in the security of your salvation, knowing that entry into God's kingdom rests entirely on Christ's invitation.

Share the hope of the gospel with someone this week, reminding them that Jesus came into the world specifically to save sinners.

Remember This

We cannot save ourselves from sin or God's judgment, but Jesus freely gave His life on the middle cross so that whoever trusts in Him receives eternal life.

A Challenge for You

Stop trying to be your own savior through self-reliance and good works; surrender completely to the Man on the middle cross who gave Himself to save you.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.