Category: Redemption

Subject: Redemption

Sermon Minute: Today is the Day!

Today is the day that God wants us to embrace Him. It is unwise to delay!

Sermon: The Day of Atonement

A discussion of the Day of Atonement mentioned in Luke 16, with applications to our atonement as Christians under the New Covenant.

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Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:12-15

Here Paul established the basis of his standing before God.  It was not his merit. His salvation came despite his condition as a sinner. He described his pre-conversion life and person by writing he was a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent, and ignorant. In fact, he wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (vs 15).

Despite Paul’s shortcomings and sin, Jesus Christ chose him to be an apostle. It is understandable that Paul would state that the grace of the Lord (freely given gift) was “exceedingly abundant” toward him.

The phrase, “because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” Does indicate the good conscience of Paul (cf. Acts 23:1), but good intentions do not equal acceptance. Paul had to do what everyone has to do to receive that grace from God. (We can read from Acts 9 and Acts 22 to see what that was).

God grants second chances (and more) to the penitent and honest individuals who want to change and serve him. If he did it for Paul (chief among sinners), he will do it for anyone.

One of the Chosen

Saul of Tarsus was chosen by God. Ananias told him, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). This choosing was for Saul’s apostleship. This was a point of emphasis for Saul throughout his life and ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. It headed almost every letter he wrote. For example, “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…” (Galatians 1:1).

In truth, God has chosen all who are Christians. Before the world began, God determined to select all and only those who answered the call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Paul wrote of this to the Thessalonians, giving thanks to God for the them, “…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Do you want to be one of the chosen?  The group has an open membership. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

 

Sermon: The Sinner’s Prayer

The Bible indeed teaches that we must receive the gift of God’s grace to be saved. How do we receive it? Scripture reveals that it IS NOT by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer.”

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God’s Scheme for Redeeming Man

I write this as a concise primer, a reminder, a help to anyone who wants to share the gospel with the world, or who themselves have not accepted God’s supreme gift to mankind. It is a bit barebones for space purposes. If any questions arise, you can talk to, email or message me and I will be sure to answer you ASAP.

First, God created man to be different from all other life. We are told we alone are created in the image of God, (cf. Genesis 1:27). This does not mean that we physically look like God (if so, we would not be unique). It means that we alone are created with a soul. We alone have been given free will, and we can choose to obey or disobey God. Both have consequences. Continue reading “God’s Scheme for Redeeming Man”

Sermon: Has Israel Been Rejected? (Romans 11)

A short examination of the text of Romans 11, as the apostle notes the way in which both Jews and Gentiles are redeemed under the New Covenant.

Sermon: Why Keep Jesus Waiting?

Though Jesus is at the door of our heart, knocking, and desiring entrance to save men, there are numerous reasons why men refuse to answer His invitation. The lesson deals with four such reasons.

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Sermon: Jesus’ Restoration of Peter

In our final lesson in the study of Jesus’ words in John’s gospel, we recount the conversation Jesus had with Peter in John 21:15-25

Why Stop the Chariot?

I recently came across a sermon starter (skeleton outline) from a Facebook group, written by Mark Posey.  When I come across such items and borrow the material, I always try to give credit, but also typically change the title to something else.  I couldn’t do it this time as the title best expresses the concept to be examined in the article.

The reference is, of course, to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, covered in Acts 8:26-40.  To summarize, an angel of the Lord sent Philip the evangelist to a road between Jerusalem and Gaza.  There Philip met a eunuch of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians.  He had come to Jerusalem to worship (indicating he was a proselyte), and was returning to Gaza in a chariot. He was reading from Isaiah 59, and Philip used the reading as a beginning point of their conversation. Continue reading “Why Stop the Chariot?”

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

An important discussion of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is summarized in Ephesians 2:8-9. This passage is familiar to all:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

So often Christians have to discuss what the text is not saying, so as to protect against the doctrine of “Salvation by Faith Only.” This is laudable, and not to be criticized. But, it is good to simply express the truths that are established by this passage. Continue reading “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”

Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 2:14-18

Here in our text the writer talks about why Jesus did what He did while on earth. Since we humans and flesh and blood, Jesus too became fully human (cf. John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8). His intent in coming was to free us from the bondage of sin and death, by gaining the victory over the devil, “him who had the power of death” (14). He did this through His death on the cross, serving as a sufficient sacrifice for sin.

Jesus did not do this for angels, but for humankind, “the seed of Abraham” (16). It was necessary for our redemption that Jesus become in all points like we are (Philippians 2:8; Hebrew 4:14-15). He is unique, both man and God. His humanity makes Him a “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God”(17) i.e. no one can take his position as  both our High Priest, and our propitiation for sins.

In being a man, He was tempted like us. So, this gives Him the power to aid us in our own temptations. Praise be to God.

 

Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:19-20

It pleased the Father. This truth radiates throughout the scriptures.  God’s intent, and pleasure in redeeming man through Jesus Christ. Paul wrote that it was in His mind since before time began, cf. Ephesians 1:4. So, when it happened, the Father was pleased. He said as much in Matthew 17:5, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

It is in Jesus that all “the fullness should dwell” (19). In this context is has reference to the preeminence of Christ. He fulfilled the Father’s intent in redemption. He is the Lord.  He is the Savior. He is the “word” that became flesh (John 1:14) and created all. As verse 20 of our text states, Jesus is the one who reconciles all things to the Father, “whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Jesus accomplished this by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary.

This is the proper answer to any ecumenical tendency. It is not what we think or wish. It is what pleased God the Father. And it pleased Him to reconcile all things through His Son.

Sermon: The Mystery Revealed

What do the words mystery and revelation entail? A discussion of the text of Colossians 1:24-29.

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Spring Meeting 2023

A gospel meeting held May 6-11, 2023 with brother Jimmy Stevens from Seminole, TX.  The following Lessons were taught.  Available is the audio, PPTX files, and the Video of Each Lesson

God’s Promise to Satan (May 6, 2023)

Growing Weary (May 7, 2023)

Created for a Purpose (May 7, 2023)

The Power of True Faith  (May 7, 2023)

Will Only Those Who are Baptized be Saved? (May 8, 2023)

What Did They Know Before Baptism? (May 9, 2023)

Moral Living in an Immoral World (May 10, 2023)

The Scriptures Don’t Lie (May 11, 2023)