Category: Salvation
Subject: Salvation
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:15-18
Here Paul gives us an accurate and fully developed picture of the Messiah. He is the very image of God. God’s perfect character, wisdom and glory are seen in the Christ. His is a place of preeminence as the firstborn of God. All that is exists by His word, and persists through His power. (It is important to note here that the term “firstborn” has reference to His place, not His origin. The Creator of all things was not Himself created, cf. John 1:1).
His creative work covers not only what can be seen, but also what cannot be perceived by man. It is arrogant to assume that what exists is only that which can be measured or observed. The materialist is short-sighted, and ignorant of the Lord’s power and the extent of His reign.
His preeminence extends to His church. His victory over death affirms His Person and place as our Redeemer.
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: 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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Sermon: David’s Charge to Solomon
The lesson is an explanation of 1 Chronicles 28:9, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” With application!
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.
Sermon: Our “Wonderful” Savior
The name “Wonderful” is used in Isaiah 9:6 with reference to the promised Messiah. This term accurately describes Jesus Christ.
Invitation: A Doorkeeper in the House of My God
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Psalm 84:10-11, the Psalmist describes beautifully the advantages to having a relationship with the Almighty.
“I Will Certainly Be With You”
In Exodus 3 we read of God’s conversation with Moses, from the midst of the burning bush. Moses was understandably hesitant to take on the task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. He asked “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (11). In response, God did not seek to stroke the ego of Moses. Such was not needed. It was enough for God to say, “I will certainly be with you” (12). It didn’t matter who Moses was, with God’s help he would be successful in his task.
Invitation: Wait on the Lord
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The Psalmist, in Psalm 37:30-38, notes that ultimately God will save the righteous. Wait on the Lord.
Invitation: Heirs of God
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Galatians 4:4-7, Paul describes the change that comes once we are redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ. We become heirs of God!
Superconquerors!
The most potent weapon Christians have in combating life’s difficulties and the despair that accompanies them is the realization that our ultimate victory has already been secured through the work of our Lord. Paul acknowledged this reality in 1 Corinthians 15 as he wrote of the significance of Christ’s resurrection.
If Christ has not been raised from the dead after dying for our sins, Paul noted, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (17-18). But, because Christ has gained victory over death, the reality is far different! “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (19). Our confidence lies in the fact of Christ’s accomplishment. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the faithful will be as well, as He promised! Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (57).
