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Redeemed

Redeemed

Redemption is an important concept in the Bible. In fact, you can find the theme of man’s salvation – sometimes called “the scheme of redemption” – throughout the entire Bible. As you read throughout both Old and New Testaments, it’s a healthy exercise to look for passages that show God’s plan for man’s redemption through Christ.

To redeem is to release (or liberate) by paying a ransom price. The Bible says that with God is abundant redemption (Psa. 130:7), and that our redemption “is costly” (Psa. 49:8). That’s why Peter says,

… you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

So Jesus paid the ransom price by shedding His blood on the cross. In so doing, He liberated us, breaking us free from the bondage of sin (Rom. 6:18). Jesus paid the price that brought about our redemption. Now, we can take hold of eternal life through our obedience to the gospel call.

Redemption changes my outlook on life. It causes me to look differently at life’s circumstances. In Romans chapter eight, Paul fleshes out that idea. Addressing a group of redeemed Christians (Rom. 3:24), he admonishes the Christians in Rome to focus on their redemption.

Because of redemption…

… I can bear today’s burdens.

Paul says, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

… I long for something better.

We realize that we live in a sinful world. At best, this physical realm is temporary. James says that life here is like “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). To that point, Paul says that the whole creation yearns for something better than what we have here (Rom. 8:19-23). It’s not that redemption has caused me to be discontent. Instead, redemption has helped me to focus my life in preparation for eternity.

[W]e also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:23).

… I endure.

Paul wrote, “If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Rom. 8:25). We can endure whatever life throws at us because of the hope that we have before us.

… I know everything will be ok.

That familiar passage, Romans 8:28, assures us that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Redemption liberates us from the shackles of sin, making it possible for us to take hold of eternal life. When we cross life’s finish line, we can know that everything will be great. Things will work out. We may suffer here, but we will rest in the hereafter.

Let’s wrap it up: Isn’t redemption beautiful? I’m thankful for a friend who helped me to recognize again the beauty of redemption. That friend recently passed from this life. His glory awaits him, he knew eternity would hold something better, he endured, and he knew everything would be ok as long as he walked God’s way. What about you? What about me? Will we live the life of the redeemed?

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Children of God

ChildrenOfGod

What an amazing privilege to be a child of God! Because of Jesus, we can be adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5). As such, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him” (Rom. 8:17).

In 1 John, the Holy Spirit has a lot to say about the blessings of being a child of God. Here are four lessons about being God’s child from 1 John 3:1-2.

1. God’s grace makes it possible for me to be a child of God!

John says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). The word “behold” is designed to fix our attention, to cause us to take a long, penetrating look so that we are impressed with God’s great love. We should be amazed and in awe that God permits us to be His people, to be called by His name. He has “bestowed,” or given us this wonderful privilege.

2. The world does not know me because I am a child of God.

Not everyone appreciates God’s people. We shouldn’t take it personally, because the world “did not know Him,” either, according to the end of 1 John 3:1. In other words, Christians will be rejected today for similar reasons that Jesus was rejected during His earthly ministry. R. C. H. Lenski, in his commentary, stated it this way:

The names of God’s greatest saints are not engraved on the tablets of the world’s temple of fame. This cannot be otherwise; if it were, the world would not be the world, and we should not be God’s children (page 450).

3. I can know that I am a child of God.

The early gnosticism that permeated the culture during the time that John wrote this epistle was attempting to degrade the faith of the faithful Christians. John assures them, “Beloved, now we are children of God” (1 John 3:2). We can know that we are God’s children, and we can know that we are God’s children right now!

4. I will see Jesus because I am a child of God.

John continues, “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Paul put it this way over in Philippians 3:20-21:

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Let’s wrap it up: What an amazing blessing it is to be a child of God! It is by God’s grace that I am His child. The world may reject me, but I know that I am His. One day, I will see Jesus and be with Jesus forever. You’re a New Testament Christian! You’re a child of God! That’s a great reason to have some pep in your step today.

By the way, if you are not a New Testament Christian, I want to encourage you to become one. I’d love for you to contact me so that we can discuss this further.

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

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The Church that Christ Built

The church is an important part in one’s journey to heaven. In the Ephesian epistle, Paul taught that it is impossible to divorce the church from salvation because all spiritual blessings are found in the church (“in Christ,” Eph. 1:3-14). All of the people in the church have been saved (Eph. 5:23), and all of the saved people are in the church (Acts 2:47, 37-41; cf. Heb. 12:23).

Wouldn’t it be a tragedy for someone to attend a church his or her entire life, and yet be told “I never knew you, depart from Me” on the day of judgment because he or she attended the wrong church? Someone may say, “That wouldn’t really happen.” Be careful to draw quick conclusions! Jesus would disagree with you. The Lord said that there will be people – religious people – on the judgment day who will not enter heaven because they did not carefully follow “the Will of My Father in heaven” (Mat. 7:21-23). It is vitally important that our religious beliefs are Scriptural (Col. 3:17).

An honest Bible student will find that it actually DOES matter what church you attend. Please prayerfully consider the following points.

[highlight] Christ promised to build only one church.[/highlight] The text is Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” He promised to build His church upon the foundation of His deity as the Son of God (1 Cor. 3:11). Note that Jesus said, “I will build My church.” It belongs to Him. Also, notice that the word “church” is singular. The notion that modern denominations are simply off-shoots of the church that Christ promised to build is simply false. He clearly said that He would build one church, His church.

[highlight] Christ died to purchase only one church.[/highlight] In Acts 20:28, Paul was speaking with some elders from Ephesus. He charged them to feed the church, which was “purchased with His own blood.” Once again, please note the singularity of the word “church.” This makes Christ’s church unique. Elsewhere, the New Testament links Christ’s shed blood with man’s salvation (Hebrews 9:14, 22). This is further proof of the inseparable link between salvation and the church.

[highlight] The New Testament teaches that there is only one true church.[/highlight] This is a big statement; one that I am very careful to propose and defend. Look carefully at these words from Ephesians 4:4: “There is one body.” The question naturally follows: what is this body of which Paul refers? Paul already answered the question earlier in the Ephesian letter: “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23, emp. added). The body and the church are the same thing. Therefore, it is appropriate to read Ephesians 4:4 as follows: “There is one church.”

Frankly, man-made denominations have nothing to offer us. I do not want to be a part of a denomination. I want to be a part of the church that Jesus promised to build. I want to be a member of the church for which Christ died. I want to be a part of the only church that I can read about in the New Testament.

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Seven Baptisms in Two Weeks: What I Have Learned

Baptism

The power of the heart-pricking message of the gospel has been clearly seen in the past few days at East Hill. Since two Wednesdays ago, we have rejoiced with seven individuals who have put on their Lord in baptism (three of which were in one Wednesday night!), and we have prayed with and been encouraged by one sister who wished to rededicate her life to the Lord! These eight precious souls have served as a motivation for us all to examine and re-examine ourselves spiritually (2 Cor. 13:5).

Do we realize the potential of one obedient soul? I’m talking about our influence. This past Wednesday evening, I was talking with five of these new, young Christians. I asked them: “Do you see what you’re capable of?? Look at what has been sparked here by your decision to obey the gospel!” They smiled and agreed. These eight souls have influenced one another and, through their actions, have exhorted all of us to secure our souls in Christ. I see at least three lessons that I can learn from them.

[highlight]1. NO ONE IS AN ISLAND.[/highlight]
Over the past few days, we have been eye witnesses to the fact that our actions influence other people. Two sisters in the flesh became sisters in Christ because of this truth! However, let us learn this lesson both in the positive way and in the negative way. Just as one person’s obedience can encourage another to obey, so can one person’s disobedience influence another person to disobey God. Christians are to shine like the lights of a city on a hill or a lamp on a lampstand (Mat. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15). No one can deny it: our actions affect other people.

[highlight]2. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.[/highlight]
Satan wants us to feel isolated because we are Christians, as though there is no one else in the world who struggles with sin. The truth is, you are not alone in your struggles. Paul said that temptation is common to all men (1 Cor. 10:13). The blood of Christ can wash our sins away (Acts 9:22)! God’s mercy can restore us back to faithfulness (1 John 1:9)!

[highlight]3. DO NOT WAIT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL.[/highlight]
The longer you procrastinate with petty excuses, the longer you waste precious time for your soul to be saved and for you to fulfill the purpose for which God made you (cf. Eph. 2:10). Paul understood the power of Timothy’s influence. He said that Timothy’s obedience would not only save himself, but also those who heard him preach (1 Tim. 4:16). Whose heart will God touch through your righteous life?

Kurt F. Kaiser wrote a song called Pass it On. His words seem appropriate here:

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s love;
Once you’ve experienced it,
You spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

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The Church is Not a Country Club

CountryClub

Some Christians treat the church like it is a country club. Webster defines the term as follows:

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]A private club where people go for social events and to play golf, tennis, etc.[/box]

When something is decided that they do not like, these “country club Christians” start breathing threats to the elders, the deacons, or the preachers. It has nothing to do with what is doctrinally right or wrong, but is all about personal preferences and opinions. They might threaten to take their membership elsewhere or to quit church altogether!When this becomes one’s view of the church, something is seriously wrong.

Here are four reasons why the church is not a country club.

[highlight]1. You can’t pay for your membership in the church.[/highlight] Your weekly contribution on the Lord’s day is not a check to pay any club dues (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7). Jesus paid the price so you could become a member of His church (Acts 20:28). You do not own the church. The church is comprised of those who have obeyed the gospel and, therefore, are “in Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). Jesus is the only way we could be adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5-6). We belong to Him (Rom. 6:11-13, 22-23). Isaac Watts conveyed the proper response to our having been purchased by Christ: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” The Holy Spirit put it this way:

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:20).[/box]

[highlight]2. The church is not just for society’s “elite.”[/highlight] According to Wikipedia, “Country clubs are founded upon the concept of private membership and exclusion of the general public”. Alleged Christians who ostracize visitors (and even other Christians) because of race, gender, income-level (or any other reason) do not know true, New Testament Christianity. Everyone is invited to accept God’s gracious offer to be saved and be added by the Lord to His church (2 Thes. 2:13; Acts 2:38, 47; 10:34-35).

[highlight]3. The church does not exist for your pleasure.[/highlight] This is neither a social hangout nor a recreational hotspot. The church does not exist to be a baby-sitter or youth group entertainer. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with Bible-focused childcare services or with youth groups enjoying times of fellowship together, but the church is about more than just those things. The Lord’s church is to serve as a light in your community and throughout the world. Being a “light” is about more than just having a positive influence in the community; it has to do with reflecting the light of Jesus that shows the way of salvation (Mat. 5:14-16; John 3:19-21; 14:6). The church exists to do the Lord’s Will. Paul addressed the church that met in Ephesus and commanded them as follows:

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).[/box]

[highlight]4. Your congregation’s assembly building is not a social status symbol.[/highlight] Many of our brethren throughout the United States are blessed with great facilities – to God be the glory! How great to have an inviting, welcoming place where we can assemble together in a comfortable environment to worship and study God’s Word. But let’s remember this: assembly buildings – and other congregational possessions (such as church buses) – are to be used with stewardship in mind to God’s glory (Col. 3:17; Rev. 4:11). May we never misuse these blessings or elevate these things as though they are intrinsically holy. They are instruments for God’s holy people to use in His holy service.

How can you avoid becoming a “country club Christian”? Remember these four things:

  1. The church is about telling lost sinners about Jesus (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; cf. Acts 8:1).
  2. The church is about encouraging fellow Christians (Heb. 10:24-25; Eph. 4:12-16; 1 Cor. 14:26; 1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 14:19).
  3. The church is about helping those who are less fortunate (2 Cor. 8:13-15; Gal. 6:10; Mat. 25:34-46).
  4. The church is about salvation. As new creatures (John 3:3, 5; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:5-11), we have a whole new purpose in life. Our outlook has shifted from seeking the temporal and the earthly to seeking the eternal and the heavenly (Col. 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 5:7). We are Lord’s church. Life is now about heaven, about being saved and living a saved (faithful) life. We want to go to heaven, and we want to help others get there, too (Phil. 1:21; 3:8-11).
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Scripture Chain: The Lord’s Church from Prophecy to Present

I love the Lord’s church for many reasons, not the least of which is because it is a planned institution.

I’m going to make a statement and I want you to know that I mean no disrespect to anyone. In fact, I love everyone. My job is very much a “people job,” and I love every opportunity I have to point people to the Scriptures and to have people help me in my spiritual journey to heaven. Here’s the statement: I’m not interested in any religious system that has its roots in men. While it may be sincere, culturally accepted, or even traditionally significant to my family or close friends, if you can’t find the religious system of which you’re a part in the Bible, then I just don’t feel comfortable trusting it for my salvation (cf. Mat. 7:21-23).


If you’re really looking for it, you won’t miss the Lord’s church. It is described – in detail – in the Bible; in both the Old and the New Testament. The following Scripture chain takes you from the prophecies to the New Testament church’s establishment. That’s the church that I want to be a part of. That’s the one for which Christ died (Acts 20:28). That’s the one in which salvation is found (Acts 2:47).

See what you think about the chain of Scriptures. I know there are many others that could be mentioned, but these give us a complete picture and provide us with the basic framework upon which the church was promised, preached, purchased, and propagated.

Isaiah 2:2-3

  • When would these things come to pass? The last days (see Hebrews 1:1-2).
  • Where would these things come to pass? Jerusalem
  • What would happen? The Lord’s house would be established (see 1 Timothy 3:15)
  • Who would be welcomed into the Lord’s house? All nations

Daniel 2:44

  • What was going to happen? The God of heaven would set up a kingdom.
  • How long would the kingdom last? It would never be destroyed.
  • What would it do to other kingdoms? It would outlast them all. It would break them into pieces.
  • When would this take place? In the days of these kings. Secular history tell us this would be the time of the Roman empire (see Daniel 2:24-45).

Joel 2:28-32

  • What would happen? The Spirit of God would be poured out upon all flesh.
  • When? After many signs.
  • What will be the result? Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.
  • Where will this take place? In Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:16

  • What would be built? The Lord’s house (see Isaiah 2:2-3; 1 Timothy 3:15).
  • Where would it be built? In Jerusalem (see Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32).

Matthew 2:19-3:2

  • NOTE: Chronologically speaking, there is a 20-25 year gap between Matthew 2:23 and Matthew 3:1 (this is evident because, in chapter 2, Jesus was a toddler, while, in chapter 3, John the Baptizer was preaching in the wilderness of Judea. John was only six months older than Jesus).
  • The 20-25 years is significant because, during that time, the Roman Empire came into power in that area. The time was right for the church to be preached (see Daniel 2:44, “in the days of these kings”).
  • What was at hand? The kingdom of heaven (3:2).
  • Had it arrived yet? No, it was “at hand.”
  • Who spoke these words? John, the Baptizer.

Matthew 16:13-19

  • What did Jesus promise to build? His church (Matthew 16:18).
  • Did He build it right then and there? No, He promised to build it (“I will build my church”).
  • Upon what did Jesus promise to build His church? Upon Peter’s confession that He is the Son of God.
  • To whom did Jesus give the “keys to the kingdom?” Peter.
  • NOTE: Jesus here uses the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably. Therefore, the church and the kingdom are one and the same (also see Colossians 1:13-14, 18).

Mark 9:1

  • Jesus said that some who were standing there with Him would not die until what happened? Until the kingdom came.
  • How would the kingdom come? With power.

Luke 24:46-49

  • Was the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ necessary for the gospel to be preached? Yes. Jesus said it was the only way (see also John 14:6).
  • To where did Jesus send the apostles after He told them these things? Jerusalem (see Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32; Zechariah 1:16).

John 18:36

  • Since the kingdom is the Lord’s church, does the Lord’s church have an earthly headquarters? No. Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world.

Acts 2

  • Where did the events in Acts 2 take place? In Jerusalem for the Jewish Pentecost celebration (Acts 2:1, 5; see Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32; Zechariah 1:16; Luke 24:46-49).
  • What miraculous thing happened that day? There was a sound from heaven like a rushing, mighty wind and divided tongues, as of fire, sat upon each of the apostles. The apostles were able to speak and to be understood in the native tongue of all of those who were present that day. These were languages that the apostles had never studied (see Acts 2:5-12). This was the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; see Mark 9:1; Luke 24:46-49).
  • When the Jews inquired about these events, to what did Peter attribute them? He said, “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:16-21; see Joel 2:28-32).
  • Of what were the Jews guilty? They had crucified Jesus (Acts 2:36).
  • What was their reaction? They were pricked in their hearts and desperately cried to the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
  • What were they told to do? To repent and to be baptized, every one, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; see Joel 2:28-32).
  • How many were baptized that day? About 3,000 souls (Acts 2:41).
  • When they were baptized, to what were the obedient believers added? The church (Acts 2:47).
  • Who added them to the church? The Lord did (Acts 2:47).
  • How does the Bible describe those who were added to the church? As “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
From Acts 2 forward, the church is spoken of in the present tense. It existed in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and, doubtless, in many other locations.
The baptized believers were identified as Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
Today, you can be a Christian, too. God promised that His kingdom would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Jesus reigns today at the right hand of the throne of God (Acts 2:33).
That’s why I say that I’m not interested in any man-made religion. The one I read about in the Bible was planned by God since before time began (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20), proclaimed by the prophets in the Old Testament, preached by John in the first century, promised by Jesus, purchased by Jesus, and ultimately established on the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2).
Are you interested in hearing more about the Lord’s church? Why not attend Bible study tonight with the church of Christ in your area? If you’re in southern, middle Tennessee, we’d love to have you at East Hill!