Category: Redemption

Typically, the apostle Paul begins his epistle with praise to God. He proclaims God to be the font of all spiritual blessings, and affirms these blessings are accomplished in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ life, death and resurrection the favor of God is complete.

What is interesting in this text is Paul’s reference to foreordination and predestination. This means that God’s scheme of redemption was a fait accompli before the universe was ever created.

When we talk about predestination, we must understand such predestination is not individual in nature. The affirmation that God chose us individually would negate the concept of free will and personal responsibility. It would make passages such as Mark 16:16 — (“He that believes and is baptized will be saved, he that believes not will be condemned”) — nonsensical.

God predestined that those who were among the sanctified —those who were among those adopted as sons — would be accepted. He gives us the choice as to whether we wish to be in that group or not. God is no respecter of persons.

A word study on the terms: Reconciliation, Redemption, Justification, Propitiation and Sanctification as they relate to the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Luke’s gospel does not begin with the promise of Jesus’ birth, but that of John the Baptist.

Zacharias, a priest who ministered in the temple during the days of Herod the Great, was visited by an angel of God with the news that he and his wife would have John as their son.

Zacharias and Elizabeth (the cousin of Mary, Jesus’ mother, cf. vs. 36), had no child. Elizabeth was barren, and they were an elderly couple. Regardless, God made the promise to give them a son. Later, when Mary questioned the possibility of her, as a virgin, conceiving a child, Elizabeth’s pregnancy was given as a sign that, “with God nothing will be impossible” (cf. vs. 34-37).

John the Baptist was a great man who served as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was the object of prophecy (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 4:5-6), and received the highest praise from Jesus Himself, “Assuredly, I say unto you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).

John the Baptist’s promised birth was another thread in the tapestry of God’s great scheme of redemption.

Medical science affirms what the Bible proclaims, that life is in the blood. God gave the animals as food for Noah and his family, but gave the admonition, “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:4). This prohibition against eating blood was repeated under the Old Law, as the Israelites were warned, “Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat” (Deuteronomy 12:23). In both prohibitions the reason for the limitation is given, life is in the blood.

Interestingly, this prohibition against eating blood is given further explanation in the Lord’s words to Moses, recorded in Leviticus 17:10-12, “And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’”

Continue reading “Blood and Redemption” →

This sermon consists primarily of the reading of scripture, chiefly in reference to the scheme of redemption. The passages that were chosen were chosen based upon their ability to inspire and uplift men.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Apostle John reveals here his purpose in writing his epistle. It serves as an admonition to his readers, “so that you may not sin” (vs. 1).

This is the purpose of God’s revealed will. It serves as the source for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, and thoroughly equips the man of God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). If one desires to avoid sin, he must immerse himself in the reading and meditation of God’s word. He then is equipped for the righteous life he craves.

That does not mean that he will live without sin, as John revealed just a few verses previous (1:8,10). When man sins, it is not a reflection upon any inadequacy in the Word — only the failure of man to properly apply it and obey it.

Facing the reality of sin, we are grateful for the payment made for our transgressions. Jesus Christ is the propitiation (atonement, expiation) for sin. Through His blood the price was paid, allowing reconciliation with God. His act of atonement was not for a few, but for “the whole world” (vs. 2). Anyone who desires may be redeemed by God.

This sermon is expository, based on the text of Ephesians 3. The mystery surrounding the redemption of man has been revealed by God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Tommy Davis preached this lesson, a word study covering all the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated “redeem” or “redemption” in the Bible.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Because of sin’s nature, it is necessary that blood be shed as payment. Jesus died and shed his blood as a vicarious sacrifice. The sermon describes the concept of blood sacrifice, and establishes why it is necessary.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The sermon discusses the origin and problem of sin, and how God “solved” the problem of sin.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

On July 4, 1776, the fathers of our country signed a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Today, Americans celebrate that significant event with picnics, fireworks and parades.

Over 2,000 years ago, just a few days following the Jewish observance of the Passover feast, Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. His victory assures those who are His an independence and freedom that far surpasses that enjoyed by Americans.

“And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! … But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:17,20).

It’s great to be an American. But, it can’t compare to the freedom we have in Christ!

It is interesting to compare the children of Israel, (God’s chosen under the Old Covenant), to God’s children under the New Covenant.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

1 Peter 3:3-6

In this text, the apostle praises God, and gives reason for that praise. He, according to His mercy has “begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

The term “begotten” in verse 3 is the same term in verse 23, where we are told we have been “born again” through the word of God.

The term is found only in these two verses. Interesting, it is a similar term to the one used in John 3:16, where Jesus is said to be the “only begotten” (gk., monogenes). Here all Christians are “begotten” (gk., anagennao).

Where Jesus, in a sense, is the only begotten; in another sense all Christians are begotten of God when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As stated in the text, when we are begotten, or born again, we are granted great privileges. We have hope, and an undefiled and incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven.

This is so because we are kept by God’s power. We are protected by Him because we are His children. This is a reason for rejoicing, no matter the present circumstances of our lives. We are the begotten of God!

(And the Meaning of Life)

(Note: This Article, The Search for Immortality, (And the Meaning of Life) , was written by Tommy Davis, one of the members of the West Side congregation. I commend the article to you).

A few weeks ago, as my family and I watched a movie, I noticed a recurring theme in all forms of literature and movies — the search for immortality. This is not a recent phenomenon. The Egyptian pharaohs went to great lengths to achieve immortality. In fact, their culture almost revolved around the afterlife and immortality. Legends exist from nearly every society about those searching for the magic elixir that will let them live forever. What a colossal waste of time! From the day man was created, we have been immortal souls. We die as a direct consequence of our own sin. God gave us all a soul that will live forever; however, our problem comes because men want to live forever on earth. Why? It is a broken place full of death, disease, and heartache because of sin.

Continue reading “The Search for Immortality” →