Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
From the Preacher’s Pen: The Works of the Lord
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 11:2-3:
“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.”
God’s works are indeed great, honorable, glorious and enduring. This is seen in His creation (cf. Genesis 1; Ecclesiastes 1:4-7), and especially in His redemptive work. He determined to redeem men before His creative work was even begun (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6). Later in his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul indicated that God’s eternal purpose to redeem men was accomplished in the sending of His son. “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (3:11-12).
The question is, do you have pleasure in God’s work? The Psalmist notes that if you do, you will study them! As always, our true view of things is found in our priorities. Too often claims of devotion and interest are made, when the actions reveal apathy and disinterest.
The Psalmist wrote, “The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name” (11:7-9)
It is worth our time and effort to examine His works. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments” (111:10).
In the News: “Stand by You”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is not the same as it used to be. Nowadays it serves as a way for current pop stars to sing snippets of their latest songs. It’s good advertising, I suppose, but kind of awkward to see the artist standing on a float that has nothing to do with his or her song, obviously lip synching for 35 or 40 seconds.
This morning Debbie had the parade on, and since the football game hadn’t started, I was watching. A young singer, Rachel Platten, was singing a portion of her song, “Stand by You.” Here is a portion of the lyrics:
Even if we’re breaking down, we can find a way to break through
Even if we can’t find heaven, I’ll walk through Hell with you
Love, you’re not alone, cause I’m gonna stand by you
Even if we can’t find heaven, I’m gonna stand by you
Sermon: The Seed of Abraham
Sermon 6 of 9 by Carl Allen.
This study demonstrates from the New Testament scriptures that the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 comes through Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him, both Jew and Gentile, are a part of that fulfilled promise.
Sermon: The Eternal Purpose of God
Sermon 1 of 9 by Carl Allen.
The eternal purpose of God was fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He came to earth, and shed his atoning blood for all mankind. This atonement is available to all, and is accomplished by those who respond in faith to the gospel of our Lord.
Sermon: Steps of Salvation
A simple lesson, using a chart for personal work (Slide #2) of the PPTX file. Explains both God’s Part, and Man’s Part in the salvation of any individual.
Sermon: Jesus Saves Us From Despair
If not for the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives would be miserable. Contemplation of the value of life without God leads only to despair. We rejoice that in Christ we have the hope of heaven!
(Note: the audio was derived from a different source than normal. It is low quality, but very understandable).
Mining the Scriptures: Acts 1:12-14
These verses immediately follow Jesus’ command to His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem, and wait for the “promise of the Father” (4). He ascended to Heaven, and the disciples returned to the city to wait as instructed.
Consider the difference in their outlook. After Christ’s crucifixion, the disciples were despondent. Their understanding was flawed, and they despaired that their Lord had been killed.
But, after His resurrection from the dead they had a much better idea of what the future held for them. The text names each of the remaining eleven apostles by name, and describes their anticipation as they waited with “the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
We are told they continued in prayer and supplication. In only a few days, events would unfold on Pentecost that changed forever every man’s relationship with His God.
Sermon: Calling on the Name of the Lord
Sermon by Josh Cox.
All agree that one must call on the name of the Lord to be saved. However, many do not really know what that entails. The scriptures reveal clearly what it is to call on the name of the Lord.
FB: Super Conquerors!
In Romans 8, the apostle Paul expressed a wonderful sentiment when he asked the rhetorical question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31). The relationship we have with God guarantees our ultimate victory. Christians have on their side the Creator of the universe – the omnipotent, omniscient, eternal One.
Paul knew this, and wrote, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (verse 37). The phrase “more than conquerors” comes from a single greek term, hupernikao. The prefix huper strengthens the term, and carries the idea of “superior, abundant, exceeding.” The word indicates not only a victory, but that said victory is decisive and complete.
In effect, Paul states that through God and His Son we become super conquerors! Nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verse 39).
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Invitation: A Remnant
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Romans 11:5 Paul notes that the remnant saved by God in the New Covenant are chosen “according to the election of grace.”
Sermon: The State of Israel without Christ
The apostle Paul dealt with Israel’s condition because of her rejection of Jesus in Romans chapters 9-11. Both Jew and Gentile can be saved only through God’s mercy, accessed only through Jesus Christ.
Invitation: Preaching, the Gospel, Faith and Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Romans 1 and Romans 10 show the relationship between the preaching of the gospel, and the formation of the faith that saves men’s souls.
The Seed of Woman
The apostle Paul affirmed to the Ephesians that God’s plan of salvation for man was devised long before he walked on the earth. Paul wrote, “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, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Since this is so, it is not surprising that there are indications given of that plan early in man’s history. Shortly after the fall of man, as God related the consequence of the sin committed, he said to the tempter (in serpent form), “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 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” (Genesis 3:14-15). While the animosity between man and snake is evident, as is the reality of their legless existence, Bible students understand the greatest significance is spiritual, derived from the words found in verse 15. “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 heel.” Notice that the references to the Seed of woman, both in the designation and the pronouns that accompany it, are all capitalized. That is because the translators (NKJ) recognize this to be a Messianic prophecy, shadowing the, at that time, future battle between Satan and Jesus Christ.
Invitation: Our Sufficiency is in Christ
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The 10th chapter of 2 Corinthians is examined to make the point that our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but in the Lord. Therefore, “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (vs. 17)
The Creation of Man
The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1).
It is important to note that these words, penned by Moses, ultimately have their origin with the Holy Spirit. This is the account of the beginning of the universe, given by the Creator Himself. Men may claim that physical evidences trump the Genesis account, but this is mere perception. If the evidence seems to contradict this historical narrative, then the interpretation of the data is in error. There are many scientists who can and do successfully put data derived from astronomy, geology, physics, etc., within the construct of the supernatural creative acts described in the Genesis account. “…Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
