The message: It has been God’s plan to live together with humans, and for that He created them in His own image (Gen 1:26). Unfortunately, the humans became separated from their Creator when Adam and Eve transgressed God’s command and fell into sin (Gen 3:6). And because « the wages of sin is death » Rom 6:23a, the human race has been taken captive, under the thumb of the devil and death. Still, God does not want people to perish, so He makes redemption for them. In this regard, He said: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live” Ezek 33:11 a. “Redemption” is the act of buying back, the repurchase of a person or thing that has fallen into the hands of a stranger in order to return it to its rightful owner. So, God’s redemption is intended to bring people back to live in His kingdom and not perish. He freely gives it in Jesus Christ, the « Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world » Jn 1:29b. Jesus indeed bore upon Himself the sins of all mankind by laying down His life and shedding His blood on the cross, for « without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins » Heb 9:22b. So, Jesus was handed over for our transgressions, then raised again for our justification (Rom 4:25). Therefore, God used the death and resurrection of Jesus to accomplish the eternal redemption for sinners. So is the power of life that overcomes sin and the works of the murderous devil, and that swallows up death. It is by faith that God’s redemption is received, and by a heart that repents and returns to Him and agrees to turn away from a life of sin, in order to do His will and work. Such a person receives God’s forgiveness and His justification. In that person the words in the Scripture are fulfilled: « There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus » Rom 8:1.
Monday 11: God redeems sinners and calls them to return to Him. “Return to me, for I have redeemed you” Isa 44:22b. Reading 1: Lk 15:11-24. Reading 2: Isa 44:21-23. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 44:22. Introduction: Because sinners are not capable of redeeming themselves, then God made a redemption for them through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The Scriptures say: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God” Rom 5:6-9.
Tuesday 12: God redeems sinners and exalts them. “When Christ who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory” Col 3:4. Reading 1: 1 Jn 3:1-2. Reading 2: Col 3:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Col 3:4. Introduction: Jesus Christ accepted to humble Himself that He came to save sinners so that He could lift them from the shame of sin up to the glory of His holiness. He explained this in parables, as He said: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost’” Lk 15:4-6.
Wednesday 13: God’s love to redeem sinners is infinite. “Ought not this woman … be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” Lk 13:16b. Reading 1: Isa 53:1-6. Reading 2: Lk 13:10-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 13:15-16. Introduction: Whether the time is favorable or unfavorable (2 Tim 4:2), the Lord our God is always ready to deliver His people from their struggles. He does not ignore their sufferings or turn a deaf ear to their supplications. In this regard, He assures: “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” Ps 50:15. Jesus is indeed the most accessible help in time of trouble (Ps 46:1). He is also the friend of sinners, and He says: « Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away » Jn 6:37b.
Thursday 14: Jesus Christ is the Atoning Sacrifice for the world. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” 1 Jn 2:2a. Reading 1: Eph 1:1-7. Reading 2: 1 Jn 2:1-3. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Jn 2:2. Introduction: John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus coming to Him, said, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! » Jn 1:29. He is the One sent by God to reconcile people with God Himself; and with His holy blood, He bought us in order to free us from the bondage of sin and death, for God. For it is written: “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish” 1 Pet 1:18-19.
Friday 15: God assures sinners of redemption. “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” Mt 9:2a. Reading 1: Mic 7:18-20. Reading 2: Mt 9:1-8. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 9:1-2. Introduction: “There is no peace for the wicked” Isa 48:22, says the Scriptures, because the guilt due to sin weighs on their conscience. God, on the other hand, does not like to keep record of sin; He instead loves to forgive, so He exhorts sinners to remember and confess their wrongdoing and decide to return to Him, He calls them: “Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” Isa 1:18-19.
Saturday 16: God calls sinners to believe in His redemption. “I have come to call not the righteous but sinners” Mt 9:13b. Reading 1: Isa 55:6-11. Reading 2: Mt 9:3-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 9:11-13. Introduction: No human is righteous, for all have sinned (Rom 3:10,23). Jesus Christ came to bring His redemption especially to sinners, to those who are conscious of their wrongdoing and believe in God’s forgiveness and justification in Him. It is how the mercy of God who loves to save people works (Hos 6:6a); it made the prophet Micah write: “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency” Mic 7:18.
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