Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
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)
The Hour Has Come
In John 17 we have recorded the prayer Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, just before He was accosted and arrested in the Garden of Eden. Best estimates put His time of death between 12 and 15 hours later. As Jesus began His prayer to God, He said, “Father, the hour has come.” (17:1).
Consider that the events which culminated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, securing the possibility of redemption to all sinners, had been in God’s mind since before the beginning of the universe.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3-7). Continue reading “The Hour Has Come”
Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 2:10-13
This Jesus, who was crowned with glory following his death (9) is a fitting sacrifice, and a fitting high priest for mankind. The word “fitting” indicates that which is proper or as it should be. In fact, the etymology “to be conspicuous” properly gives the essence, Jesus was the obvious choice to be the “captain of our salvation” (10).
This is shown in His suffering. Remember, the Jews at this time for the most part rejected the idea of a suffering Savior. As Paul wrote, the preaching of the gospel was a “stumbling block to Jews” (1 Corinthians 2:2). They were looking for a triumphant rebellion bringing a restoration of David’s physical throne. What they got was a man who was executed as a criminal.
But, the Hebrew writer says that Jesus was “of one” with those who accepted His redemptive act. “For both He who sanctified and those who are being sanctified are all of one” (11).
Jesus is our elder Brother, and we are so thankful that “He is not ashamed to call [us] brethren” (11).
Freedom in Christ
Freedom in Christ is freedom from the bondage of sin, and all that goes along with it. When we are redeemed by Christ’s blood, our burden becomes light, and our destiny is immortality in the presence of the Almighty.
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