Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
Lessons Learned from the Remnant
The book of Ezra records a remnant of Judah returning to the homeland after 70 years spent in Babylonian captivity. The reason they had been conquered by the Babylonians was their rejection of God. As Jeremiah put it, “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).
However, after 70 years (prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10), God stirred up the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to their homeland (cf. Ezra 1:1). Not all were interested in leaving the place where they had lived for two generations. But, a remnant was moved by God (1:5), and returned to the land. Here the Jews reestablished their worship to God, and ultimately rebuilt the temple.
The Good Shepherd
In the gospel of John, Jesus identified himself as the “good shepherd” (John 10:11). The work of the shepherd in New Testament times was challenging. He would train the sheep or goats to obey his commands, feed and water them, and protect them from harm. The young David is an good example, as he saved his sheep from both a lion and a bear (cf. 1 Samuel 17:34). Obviously, if the sheep belonged to the shepherd himself, the investment was a precious one. This explains Jesus’ words, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (11). In contrast, “The hireling flees [when he sees the wolf] because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep” (13). Jesus used this imagery to describe His sin sacrifice, “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (15).
Sermon: Drawn to Jesus
This sermon expresses why we should desire to be drawn to Jesus, as well as how it is done.
Sermon: God’s Plans
Sermon by Brantley Gallman
Daniel 2 gives a good example of the grand and sovereign plans of God.
Sermon: What is Your Value?
In the eyes of God you are valuable. Valuable enough that God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins!
Sermon: The Benefits of a Life Lived for Christ
A life lived for Jesus Christ brings blessings, both while we live upon the earth He created, and most importantly, in eternity!
Sermon: The “Plan” of Salvation?
The idea that there are things a man must do to be saved, some people contend to be a product of the legalistic theology of the 19th century. This lesson is a defense of the what the scriptures teach regarding the salvation of man.
Man Can’t Do It…But God Can!
Early in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign he had a dream. The dream made him anxious, and he sought it’s meaning. His astrologers, sorcerers and magicians were more than willing to provide an interpretation, but Nebuchadnezzar obviously did not trust their powers of divination. So, he created a test. Before giving him the interpretation, they had to describe the dream itself. They replied, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean” (Daniel 2:10). Their explanation did not impress Nebuchadnezzar. He became angry, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be killed!
Nebuchadnezzar’s disgust was understandable, even if his murderous response was not. These dream interpreters were not claiming psychological insight. They claimed to be able to “divine” the interpretation. That is, they claimed a supernatural ability to determine a dream’s meaning. Logically, if one possessed such supernatural powers, “divining” the dream itself would be as simple as the interpretation. By their inability, they showed themselves to be charlatans.
Sermon: Our Redeemer
Galatians 4:4-5 shows God’s purpose in sending His Son to earth. To redeem man! The shedding of His blood on the cross accomplished that purpose. Because of Jesus, we have the hope of redemption!
Invitation: Born to Redeem
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
As so many spend one day a year remembering the day of Jesus’ birth, Paul noted in Galatians 4 the intent of that birth was to bring the Savior into the world to redeem men. Faithful Christians remember this EVERY first day of the week.
Invitation: Now is the Day of Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul expresses the immediate nature of the need to get right with God, “Behold, now is the day of salvation.”
The Love of Christ Which Passes Knowledge
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Ephesians 3:14-19 the apostle Paul uses the language of superlatives (but not hyperbole) to describe the nature of Christ’s love.
FB: Dry Bones Come to Life!
In Ezekiel 37, the prophet passed by a valley full of dead men’s bones, “and indeed they were very dry.” The Lord directed Ezekiel to that valley to demonstrate two very important points.
First, He instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live'” (5). His stated purpose for bringing the bones of these dead men back to life? “Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”
Second, He taught Ezekiel that this miracle was a metaphor for His intercession for Israel. “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.” As Israel was “dead” in captivity to Babylon, Jehovah stated, “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (vs. 11-12).
Consider:
- God brought a remnant back from captivity (Ezra 1:1-3).
- God brought Israel to spiritual life through Jesus (Acts 2:36).
- God has promised life after death to spiritual Israel (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
How true the sentiment, “Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:39)..
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Where in this passage is Baptism?
Lesson 5 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.
Those who advocate salvation by Faith alone claim passages such as Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8 and Titus 3:5 speak of salvation, and baptism is not to be found. However, an examination of the contexts show clearly that Baptism is indeed implicit in these passages that deal with man’s redemption.
