The topic’s idea: « The work of redemption, work of God » unmistakably means that this work is humanly impossible, priceless, and that nothing can be exchanged for it. What is « redemption » actually, and what is its purpose? In what way can it relate to « salvation? » « Redemption is the release of captives from the hand of the enemies or the strangers who chained and enslaved them. The enemies of man who took him captive are sin, which is the sting of death (1 Cor 15:56), and the devil, who is a thief and a deceiver and a killer (Jn 10:10). In truth, it is written, ”a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” 2 Pet 2:19. People resorts to various devices to achieve redemption: offering, sacrifice, hostages, purchasing with money, observing diverse taboos. There is also and above all the effort to perform « redemption » for oneself. Yet all these are ineffectual. In this respect, Paul said, ”For what I do is not the good I want to do, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing,” … ”What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this :body of death?” Ro 7:19,24. Redemption guarantees salvation because, according to the Holy Scripture, it means “forgiveness of sin” or “remission of sin” (Eph 1:7), which allows one to receive salvation—that is, to enter the heavenly kingdom and inherit eternal life. How about eternal life? Jesus declared, ”Now this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ; whom you have sent” Jn 17:3. Therefore, the guarantees that God gives to men are the forgiveness of their sins, their reconciliation to God and their communion with Him, having been adopted as “God’s children and heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” Ro 18:17a. To put it simply, the work of redemption is the work that Jesus did to redeem the sinner for God. He did it once for all (Heb.7:27) by means of his blood shed on Calvary for the sinful man—”the blood of the covenant that sanctified him” Heb 10:29. The redemption accomplished by Jesus is the guarantee of eternal salvation. Therefore, believe in Him, because He said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” Jn 3:36.
Monday 18: God, assurance of redemption for his people.
« For I am the Lord your God » Is 51:15a.
Reading 1: Mr 6:47-51. Reading 2: Is 51:9-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Is 51:15.
Introduction: Happy are those who have God as their confidence and shield. To this end, He wants his people to know that He does not forsake them, and even less so in times of hardship. He says, “Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I” Is 52:6. Accordingly, He gives the promise, ”Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with righteous right hand” Is 41:10. And He certainly does that.
Tuesday 19: Believe in the redemption of God.
« I have redeemed you… You are mine » Is 43:1b.
Reading 1: Gal.3:7-14. Reading 2: Is 43:1-5a. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Is 43:1.
Introduction: It is an extreme misery to be separated from God; men become desperate and are deprived from any support, like straying sheep who wander, not knowing their right from their left (Ezek 34:6). Yet God is love and He gives a promise of redemption, saying, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved – Joe.3:5″ Ro 10:13. Then they will then praise God, saying, « My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I, whom you have redeemed » Ps 71:23.
Wednesday 20: Jesus Christ, redemption from sin.
« In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins » Col 1:14.
Reading 1: Heb 9:1-15. Reading 2: Col 1:9-14. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Col 1:14.
Introduction: God so loved his people that He does not let them perish, despite their transgressions. He declares, “I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you » Is 44: 21b-2. Take heart and be confident, « We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved » Heb 10: 39.
Thursday 21: Jesus Christ delivers us from the bondage of death.
« Go away; the girl is not dead but asleep » Mt.9:24a.
Reading 1: Heb 1:10-18. Reading 2: Mat 9:18-26. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mat 9:23-24.
Introduction: Jesus took our weaknesses upon Himself by his coming on earth, « so that by his death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death » Heb 2:14-15. Indeed, He declared, « I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lieves and believes in me will never dies” Jn 11:25-26. Do you believe that?
Friday 22: The Holy Spirit delivers us.
« In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness” Ro 8:26a.
Reading 1: Jn 20: 16-23. Reading 2: Rom 8:26-30. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 8:26.
Introduction: The Holy Spirit is « the life-giving Spirit of life » (Rom.8: 2); He does not let us die in sin. As such, He saves us from our weaknesses, so that we may say, « Do not rejoice about me, my enemy! For if I have fallen, I will rise again; If I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light » Mi.7: 8. The Lord says, « My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness » 2 Cor.12: 9a.
Saturday 23: Jesus Christ intercedes for us.
« Christ … intercedes for us! » Ro 28:34
Reading 1: Heb.2: 10-18. Reading 2: Rom.8: 31-34. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom.8:34.
Introduction: Certainly, the Lord intercedes for us because we are sinners, separated from God. This is for us a great assurance, because, « The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective » Jas 5:16b. Jesus Christ is the Faithful and True (Rev 19:11). His prayer is effective for the justification of the sinner. Therefore, « Who will accuse the elect of God? It is God who justifies! Who will condemn them? Christ is dead; even more, He is risen, He is at the right hand of God, and He intercedes for us! » Rom.8:33-34.
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