Category: Redemption
Subject: Redemption
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).
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
Christians are loved by God. Before the world was created, God chose them for salvation (cf. Ephesians 1:4) – the elect of God. This election, as noted by Paul, is accomplished through sanctification. The Holy Spirit separates us from the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are made holy through the blood of Jesus Christ, and as such obtain His glory.
This is a concise description of our redemption. We are saved by the grace of God, expressed through the sacrifice of the Savior. Saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
This is why Paul, in giving thanks for the Thessalonians, admonishes them to “stand fast and hold the traditions you were taught” (vs. 15). Such is the only appropriate response to God’s grace, (cf. Titus 2:11-12).
Sermon: Blood in the Scheme of Redemption
Spring Meeting 2014: Kyle Campbell
This lesson explains the part that blood plays in God’s scheme of redemption, with a special emphasis on the correlation between the blood of Jesus and water baptism, and the importance of observing the Lord’s Supper.
Sermon: Why Did God Create the World?
The lesson shows how God chose to create the universe, and place man, a free moral agent, in it as its crown. Men chose to disobey, but God sent His son to redeem mankind.
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:13-14
In these verses, Paul switches from the prayers he offers for the Christians in Colosse to be worthy of Christ, to affirming the preeminence of God. In verse 13 he establishes two truths:
First, that God has delivered us from the power of darkness. That power is Satan (cf. Acts 26:18). Satan holds men captive in their sins, but God redeems us through the blood of His Son. By His sacrifice, Jesus secures for us “the forgiveness of sins” (vs. 14).
Second, when he delivers us from Satan’s clutches, the Father conveys us “into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.” This verse is important for several reasons. If we are in Jesus’ kingdom we are citizens, with full privileges and benefits. We are subject to the laws of the King, and are to recognize and respect His authority. Finally, in affirming that the Colossians had already been translated in Christ’s kingdom, Paul refutes the common view that the kingdom of Christ has yet to be established. This single verse clearly disproves a central tenet of the doctrine of Premillennialism.
Invitation: A Father of Many Nations
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Paul, in Romans 4:7-ff Paul uses the fact that Abraham was counted as righteous before he was circumcised as proof that all nations have access to salvation in Christ Jesus.
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 1:7-10
Verse 7 is a wonderful, concise statement revealing the way God redeemed man. It is through the blood of Jesus. As the perfect sacrifice, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, that we might not die for our transgressions. This gift of the Son is the extension of God’s grace to man.
This gift granted is the result of God’s wisdom and prudence. The word prudence is defined by Strong as “intellectual or moral insight.” The problem of sin is a difficult one, solved only by Divine wisdom and action. We can’t save ourselves. Salvation comes from God’s wise and prudent gift of his Son Jesus.
Jesus’ sacrifice is the culmination of God’s scheme of redemption. He came in the “fullness of time.” God determined to save man at that time, in that way.
Jesus’ sacrifice is for all men. In Christ, “all things” are gathered together. There is no distinction between in race or gender. All are eligible for salvation — “In Him.”
Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner
God hates sin. There is no doubt concerning this, as the scriptures use that very term to describe God’s attitude toward various sins. For example, the sin of idolatry. Deuteronomy 16:21-22 records, among other admonitions in that context, “You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the Lord your God. You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the Lord your God hates.” Likewise, in Malachi 2:16, it is written, “‘For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.’”
Sermon: Our Reward for Standing
Numerous passages in both the Old and New Testaments establish for us the rewards we will receive for our faithfulness in standing with God.
