Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
Sermon: The Return of the Remnant (Ezra)
A discussion of the book of Ezra, giving an overview, and examining several points of importance suggested by the book.
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A Mistaken View of the Old Testament
Some religious people believe the Old Testament to still be in effect. If not for all men, then at least for the Jewish people. While we believe the Law to be from God, and an important part of our story of redemption, Paul made it very clear that its authority was only temporary. This truth is taught time and again in scripture, but a very interesting argument on the matter is made by Paul in Galatians 3:15-18:
“Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise” (Galatians 3:15-18).
Sermon: “May the Lord our God be with us” (1 Kings 8:57-61)
At Solomon’s dedication of the newly erected Temple, he reveals important truths concerning the relationship that God has with His people.
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Sermon: One Long Sentence (Ephesians 1:3-6)
An exegesis of Ephesians 1:3-5, which the apostle Paul, in one long sentence teaches three important points about God’s plan for redeeming man.
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Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus. He refers to Him as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Thus, we have an introduction to God’s scheme of Redemption for man. The Redeemer would descend from Abraham, through Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 12:3), and come from Judah, a descendent of King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6). This listed genealogy is an important piece of evidence that Jesus is our Christ, the Redeemer come from God.
Matthew’s observation of this lineage coming from Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, indicates that this lineage was used by Matthew to express Jesus’ legal right through genealogy to ascend to the position of King, as a descendent of David. The genealogy does not contain all Jesus’ predecessors, only 42 Generations, which served his purpose, and through its artificial grouping of 3 sets of 14 generations served the important purpose of establishing a means of easy memorization. See Luke 3 for a different approach.
Mining the Scriptures: Revelation 1:12-16
In Revelation 1, John saw a vision while “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”, on Patmos, while in exile. Jesus spoke to him in the vision, first in verse 11, then in verse 17-20.
John describes the one (the Lord) who spoke to him in verses 12-16. He saw seven golden lampstands, and in their midst was the Lord, with fine garments, a head and hair white like wool, eyes like a flame of fire, feet like fine brass, a voice as the sound of many waters, and holding in His right hand seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword proceeded out of His mouth, and His countenance was shining like the son.
This picture indicates the perfection of Jesus (the number seven), His purity (the color white, the eyes like a flame of fire, the fine brass purged from impurities ), His message (His voice as the sound of many waters), and His place (the One who influences and convicts, seen in the stars and the two-edged sword).
Truly, Jesus is the great Redeemer of all mankind!
Sermon: The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus
Many people, while accepting the validity of Jesus’ death on the cross, fail to understand the importance and significance it plays in our lives. An examination of 1 Corinthians 15 helps.
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Mining the Scriptures: Jude 24-25
Jude ends here with a doxology. A doxology is an expression of praise and glory to God. It is fitting that this conclusion is given at the end of an epistle that exhorts all to contend for the faith. The false teachers Jude warned about in the epistle were in their doctrine undermining God.
Redemption is possible only through God’s grace. Praise Him. He is able to expunge our sin through the sacrifice of His Son, and we can be reconciled to Him for eternity with such purity.
God is the One who saves us. God is the One who is wise. This is clearly seen in His revealed scheme of redeeming us, formed before our very creation, as indicated in Ephesians 1:3-14.
It is only right and proper that we praise Him. We ascribe to him glory, majesty, dominion and power. We acknowledge that such a preeminent position is well deserved (as our Creator), and as our Savior. It is a position that is eternal, and one we rejoice in. There is no other God, “Both now and forever. Amen”
Continuing in Sin
It is sad that a statement by Paul “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that race may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2), should need explanation and defense. And yet, because of error and the current cultural climate, it certainly does.
Paul taught salvation by grace, which just about every religious person believes. He taught that sin precludes any individual being saved by perfect obedience, which just about every religious person accepts as a true statement. Here he taught that continuing to sin after being saved by grace was unacceptable. This truth, which is clearly stated, can’t be accepted by individuals who believe the Calvinistic precept of the Perseverance of the Saints, colloquially known as “Once saved always saved.” Continue reading “Continuing in Sin”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:17-19
The text continues the call for righteous living by noting that each person is treated the same way by God. He judges “without partiality”, and “according to each one’s work.” This is imminently fair. God does not play favorites. Your standing before Him is a result of appropriate rules He has established that are the same for all men.
So, our sojourn on this earth should be characterized by a respect for the rules of God. Anarchy or rebellion is not acceptable, and will be judged harshly. The gift of grace is much too precious to be treated with disdain. How precious? Our redemption is purchased with something far greater than worldly treasures.
Our redemption is purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. He who lived perfectly died a sacrificial and vicarious death. He died for us! Isaiah wrote, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (53:5).
Sermon: “In Isaac Your Seed Shall Be Called”
A discussion of Romans 9:1-8, showing that ultimately, salvation for both the Jew and the Gentile is found in the promise of the Messiah, fulfilled through Isaac.
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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.
