Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
It Pleased the Father
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
“It pleased the Father.” This is Paul’s assessment of God’s plan for redeeming man. This meaning of this passage is disputed, because “the Father that” is not in the Greek. Rather it is supplied by the translators. A good argument is made by Walton Weaver in his commentary regarding the meaning. He states it as follows: God was pleased to, in all His fullness, dwell in His Son. This principle is set forth clearly in 2:9, “For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Likewise it pleased God to reconcile man to Himself through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This is the central message of the Bible. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
God was pleased. Despite the ultimate nature of that sacrifice in offering His only begotten Son, it pleased Him to do so. Why? Why was He so willing to do such a thing? Why did it please Him? Because He loves us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
There are lessons here for us. First, to rejoice in His love. Second, to recognize the greatness of the debt we owe due to His marvelous grace (cf. Romans 1:14-15). Finally, this: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
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Work Out Your Own Salvation
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Paul’s admonition here is also partly a word of praise for the faithfulness of the Philippian brethren. They had shown themselves to be obedient in the past, he calls upon them to continue. A significant point made in the passage is that continued obedience is necessary to be saved. The idea of working out “your own salvation” is not in any way at odds with the concept of grace. God requires faithfulness unto death to receive the crown of life! (cf. Revelation 2:10). Paul himself told them, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Sermon: Paul’s Sermon on Mar’s Hill
An exegetical lesson examination Paul’s description of the “Unknown God” given to the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17.
Sermon: Jesus Asserts He is the Bread of Life
Lesson 14 in series (6:41-51)
Jesus answers the objections to the Jews who murmured at His assertion to have come down from heaven. He is the true bread of life, that brings eternal life to all who are His.
The Blood of the Cross
God’s plan for redeeming man has been referred to as a scarlet thread that runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the primary thrust of scripture is God’s effort to deal with the sin of man.
It is prophesied in Genesis 3:15 when Satan, in the guise of the serpent, was told by God, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
Sermon: Why Jesus Came
There are a number of answers which Jesus Himself supplied while on earth. This lesson examines the reasons Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago.
Sermon: Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
Lesson 2 in series (John 1:43-51)
Jesus’ conversations with Philip and Nathanael are discussed. It is revealed that Jesus is the means of God’s provision, as He serves as a mediator between God and man.
The Veil is Taken Away
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14).
The image of the veil accurately expresses the significance of passing from the Old Law to the New. Moses, in giving the law to Israel, paved the way for the redemption of mankind. The Old Testament contains so many things —types, prophecies, law — that God used to prepare mankind for His plan to bring salvation through His Son.
But, that Old Law of Moses was preparatory. It was a harbinger of what was to come. And so, when one looks exclusively at the Old Law, he gets neither the entire picture, nor the full benefits of God’s redemptive plan.
Paul wrote, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:16). When the gospel is preached to man, some believe it and place their trust in Jesus Christ. In Him is that which allows believers to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
The blessing we receive by this unveiling? “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Praise be to God for His great blessings toward us.
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Spiritual Surgery
Recently I came across a sermon outline by Joe Price titled Spiritual Surgery. (He preached it a couple of months ago). This article is basically a fleshing out of the three main points in his outline.
The apostle Paul, in Colossians 2, refers to a spiritual circumcision, using the token of the covenant between God and Israel to make an important point. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:11-12).
As physical circumcision was surgical removal (a cutting off, cf. Genesis 17:10-11; Galatians 5:12). Paul uses the same language to indicate they were to remove or put off the body of the sins of the flesh. This was not an unfamiliar concept to the Jews. In fact, Moses said something similar as he called upon the Israelites to repent of their transgressions against God in Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”
Sermon: The Preacher and the Penitent
Luke’s narrative of the conversion of Cornelius and his household is unique in its use of two viewpoints to relate the facts. Both the preacher and the penitent are followed, with the two meeting as the gospel is preached and souls are saved.
Sermon: The Promises of God
The lesson shows that some of God’s promises are unconditional in nature, while others are conditional. God’s most wonderful promises are available through His Son Jesus, showing God’s mercy and grace.
Sermon: How Heaven Views Sinners
The Parables of Luke 15 explain the view that Heaven holds regarding lost souls.
Sermon: A Plan is Needed!
A plan is needed for the salvation of men. The lesson discusses why men are in need of salvation.
Sermon: Propitiation
What does the term Propitiation mean, and how does the term relate to God’s scheme for redeeming man?
Sermon: Jesus in the Temple
Second in a series on the life of Jesus. Jesus’ obeyed His Father, and accomplished His will in redeeming man. We too have a stewardship from God, and we too must be faithful.
