Prayer of a Persecuted Saint

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This is a message based on Psalm 86 and uses the content of King David's prayer as a guide for our prayers.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

The title to Psalm 86 indicates that it was written by King David. Several phrases that appear in this psalm also appear in other psalms that David wrote. One commentary author described this psalm as the “prayer of a persecuted saint,” which is the reason I have used that for the title of the sermon.

David’s prayer is relatively comprehensive as it speaks to a number of different topics in the requests that he makes. As we study this prayer of one of the greatest kings of Israel, I believe that we can see some important ingredients for prayer in our own daily experiences.

Someone has noted that this prayer contains a number of petitions that are accompanied by confessions of need as well as confessions of faith. The petitions or supplications are words that appear as imperatives or commands. They are urgent requests. Also, there are two different places in the prayer when the author interjects words of praise before continuing the requests to his God.

Let us take a look at David’s petitions, confessions and praises to find some helpful insights that could influence and improve our own prayers.

I.    Plea for God’s attention. (vv. 1, 6)

Psalm 86:1 (NKJV) ¹ Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy.

Psalm 86:6 (NKJV) ⁶ Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications.

Supplication: “Bow down; hear; give ear”

A plea for God’s direct attention.

We know from other passages of scripture that God always has His attention focused on us. He knows about every sparrow that falls and he knows the number of hairs on our heads. Yet, this prayer emphasizes the desire for God to take notice of my condition.

Confession: (of need) “I am poor and needy.”

“afflicted” and “in want, or wretched” (JFB)

“God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud.”

Confession: (of faith) Psalm 86:7 (KJV) In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

II.  Plea for God’s protection. (vv. 2, 14-16)

Psalm 86:2 (KJV) Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 86:14-16 (KJV) O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. ¹⁵ But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. ¹⁶ O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Supplication: “preserve (guard); save”

v. 16 – “have mercy… give strength… and save”

Confession: “I am holy… your servant… trusting in you.”

This is not a self-righteous declaration of merit or worth.

“holy” – godly, faithful or loyal, devoted because of covenant relationship. Probably a parallel with “trusting.”

“trusting” – he has found the Lord to be dependable.

v. 15 – But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

III. Plea for God’s mercy. (v. 3)

Psalm 86:3 (KJV) ³ Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Supplication: Show mercy to me.

Confession: (faith) v. 3 – “I cry unto thee daily (or all day long).” An acknowledgement that he knows God is his source of forgiveness and compassion. If he didn’t have this faith, he wouldn’t bother calling on Him every day.

v. 5 – “plenteous in mercy to all who call”

IV. Plea for God’s joy (v. 4)

Psalm 86:4 (KJV) ⁴ Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Supplication: Rejoice the soul of thy servant.

Confession: (faith) Unto thee I lift up my soul.

He understands that God is the source of joy; not circumstances in life. He looks to the Lord with expectation. Possibly an intentional allusion to the “wave offering” done by the priests.

Charles Spurgeon – I know that the nearer I am to thee the greater is my joy, therefore be pleased to draw me nearer while I am laboring to draw near. (The Treasury of David)

Praise: Psalm 86:8-10 (KJV) Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. ⁹ All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. ¹⁰ For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

(Wesleyan Bible Commentary) The great God presented here is the reason the psalmist can pray with confidence in verses 1 through 7 and verses 13 through 17. Others may claim that their gods are supreme (86:8), but they are mistaken, for you alone are God—there is only one God (86:10).

V.  Plea for God’s instruction (v. 11a)

Psalm 86:11a (KJV) Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth….

Supplication: Teach me.

Confession: I will walk in thy truth.

Spurgeon – “…truth shall not be a mere doctrine or sentiment to me, but a matter of daily life.” (The Treasury of David)

VI. Plea for God’s Purity (v. 11b)

Psalm 86:11b (KJV) …unite my heart to fear thy name.

Supplication: Unite my heart.

The plea for an undivided heart is essentially the same as a prayer for a pure heart – a heart with no other affections or loyalties. It is a prayer for faithfulness and commitment to only one true God.

Praise: Psalm 86:12-13 (KJV) I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. ¹³ For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell [realm of the dead].

VII. Plea for God’s confirmation. (v. 17)

Psalm 86:17 (NKJV) Show me a sign [token] for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Supplication: Show me a token or sign.

Confession: You have helped me and comforted me.

King David not only wants some kind of confirmation from God that his prayer has been heard and will be answered, but it seems that he especially wants his enemies (and God’s enemies) to take notice as well.

Spurgeon – God doth nothing by halves, those whom he helps he also consoles, and so makes them not merely safe but joyful. This makes the foes of the righteous exceedingly displeased, but it brings to the Lord double honour. (The Treasury of David)

Conclusion:

One author described this psalm as a “patchwork of faith.” There are a number of examples in this prayer that we can follow and try to emulate in our own prayers. The most important thing is this: as we make our requests to God, do not forget to make confessions of our own need (humility), confessions of God’s greatness and goodness, as well as praises to God for all past blessings. If we will endeavor to do this, I think we will discover how that prayer can be a conversation with our heavenly Father.

In closing, let’s stand and sing an old favorite hymn of comfort and assurance.

Under His Wings

Redemption: Believers' Highest Pursuit

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This is the final message in a series of sermons on the topic of Redemption. This sermon focuses on the need for believers who have been redeemed to live their life of faith in harmony with God's will as revealed in Scripture.

Written Excerpts:

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Introduction:

Some people tend to view salvation and redemption merely as an escape from hell and the key to heaven. Redemption does provide us with the privilege of heaven, but it is more than that. It truly relates to everyday life here on earth and the life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. God not only wants to redeem us so we can live with Him forever, but He redeems us so we can fulfill His purposes here on earth, and by doing so, bring glory to Him.

In the very first sermon of this series we talked about the song of the living creatures and elders in heaven, giving glory to the Lamb for the redemption of humanity. Giving God the glory doesn’t have to wait until we get to heaven. We can bring glory to God now as we live out the life of a redeemed person in a world that desperately needs to see His grace and love in action. We bring glory to God as we live out His purposes.

What are the purposes that God has for His redeemed disciples and followers?

I.    The Upward Purpose of the Redeemed Life

Every individual who has been redeemed has a God-given responsibility to glorify God.

Psalm 30:9-12 (NKJV) ⁹ “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? ¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!" ¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, ¹² To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Ephesians 1:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV) ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

Malachi 2:2 (NKJV) ² If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the LORD of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.

How am I showing forth His praises? Do other people around me have a higher opinion of God because of me and my life? This is particularly hard for those who are going through serious adversity and suffering. But, we need to ask ourselves, “As others see me suffer and evaluate my attitudes, my words and my actions, what kind of opinion will they have of God?”

Even for those who have life relatively good right now, what is there about my life that influences others to give praise and adoration to God?

II.  The Inward Purpose of the Redeemed Life

The inward purpose refers to the mission / purpose of the church as it relates to our ministry and responsibility to other believers in the body of Christ. There are a number of references that speak about how Christians are to care for, nurture, and build each other up in the faith.

If we just take the passages in the N.T. where the phrase “one another” appears, we find a significant number of instructions for Christians to follow in our service and ministry to our brothers and sisters in the family of God. By looking at these and a few other references this is what we learn about our mission within the church.

1. We learn that we are to be committed to love and unity.

Rom. 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another…

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Love is not necessarily a feeling, but it is an action. It’s not always something you feel inside, but it is something you do that demonstrates concern, care and compassion.

2. We are to build each other up in the faith.

1 Thess. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Romans 15:2 (NKJV) ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV) ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

“edify” – to build, construct,

3. We are to warn and guard each other against error.

Rom. 15:14 I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Col. 3:16 … teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Heb. 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The word “admonish” means to put in mind or call attention to, thus to warn.

“Exhort” comes from the same compound word as the word for “comforter” which means to call alongside. Just as the Holy Spirit is portrayed as the one who is called alongside to help us, so to exhort implies calling one to the side in order to advise, admonish or encourage them.

Other words used for “exhort” mean to “speak near,” thus advise; and “propel / urge forward” or encourage.

4. We are to assume our role and responsibility in the body.

1 Cor. 12:1-27 – The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a physical body to describe how we all must cooperate and work together in the spiritual body.

Your body cannot function properly or to its full potential if certain parts of it are missing or failing. The same is true regarding the body of Christ. (The collection of people who have been redeemed.) There are roles and responsibilities that each one of fills that is vital to the overall health of the body. It is no more healthy or fitting for a member of Jesus’ body to spiritually exist all alone than it is for your arm or your leg to continue to live without the rest of your body.

Part of our responsibility to live as redeemed individuals is for us to edify and nurture our brothers and sisters in the family of faith.

III. The Outward Purpose of the Redeemed Life

1. The Great Commission.

This involves the task of evangelism and spiritual conversion of the lost to Jesus Christ. It is based on the reference in Matthew 28 that is the classic passage regarding the great commission.

Matt. 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This is only one of many texts that define the Christian’s responsibility to tell others about Jesus and to persuade people to commit their hearts and lives to Him. God is Sovereign and He obviously could convert the lost without our involvement if He chose to do so. But, He didn’t choose to do that.

In Romans Chapter 10 Paul asks these rhetorical questions:

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?”

“How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”

“How shall they hear without a preacher?”

Dear brothers and sisters, God has not ordained any other method for reaching the lost than through the testimony of those who have been redeemed.

It really is our responsibility.

2. The Great Commandment.

The term “great commandment” is a reference to the reply Jesus gave when he was asked about the greatest commandment. Jesus told the questioner that the first commandment was to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. (Luke 10:27)

He then continued by saying the second great commandment was that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matt. 22:39)

There is more for us to do in this world than evangelize the lost. It is legitimate for believers to ask ourselves, “What am I actively doing to demonstrate my love for my neighbor?”

Conclusion:

We have been describing what the whole scheme and plan of redemption entails. Today we are finishing up the series by describing what God intends for redeemed people to be and do while they are “waiting for the final chapter of redemption in glory.” We have God-ordained work to do. We have a God-given purpose to fulfill.

Let’s not view our lives as just getting our “ticket” to heaven and living for our own ambitions and satisfaction until the day our “ship leaves the harbor.” Let us all be committed to the life God planned for us.

I want us to sing a song that may be new to many of us, but it is a simple song with a great message.

I Give All to You   #595

Raised Up by God

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This is a message given by guest speaker Rev. Randy Spacht who is a missionary affiliated with the organization, One Mission Society. Randy used details from the story of Ehud in the book of Judges to illustrate how God raises up individuals at specific times for specific tasks in the work of His kingdom.

Redemption: Sinners' Smartest Option - Part 2

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This is the sixth sermon in a series of messages on the topic of redemption. This message speaks about the work that God does in the heart and life of the individual who is redeemed.

Written Excerpts:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Introduction:

We’ve been doing a series of sermons on the topic of redemption. This is a topic that is woven through the entire Bible from front to back. Every single person is in need of redemption and our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, has provided a perfect plan.

Salvation and redemption is a free gift offered to everyone. That is, it cannot be earned or deserved by effort. But, it is not automatic. God has clearly outlined the choices and decisions that a person must make in order to acquire the gift for themselves.

Last Sunday we considered our decisions or choices that are conditions for appropriating the plan God has provided.

Today, as we focus on the second part of the topic: “Sinners’ Smartest Option,” we are specifically talking about God’s provisions, and we are going to discuss the actual redeeming process that God works into our lives.

II.  God’s Provisions

We’ve already talked about how desperately humanity needs redeemed, and how effectively Christ provided it with His life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Once an individual follows the admonitions in God’s Word and meets the conditions we spoke about last Sunday, then God begins to effectively apply the power of redeeming grace in the life of the believer.

This is what God does:

A.  He Justifies Us

Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV) ³⁴ No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."

Romans 5:1 (NKJV) ¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV) ¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

B.  He Regenerates Us (Initial Sanctification)

John 3:3 (NKJV) ³ Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

C.  He Adopts Us

Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV) ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ….

Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

D.  He Sanctifies Us

I already mentioned earlier that initial sanctification begins at the new birth (regeneration). However, the Bible emphasizes additional need for holiness even for Christians.

John 17:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) ¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (NKJV) ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV) ²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cleanse; Set apart for holy purpose, not ordinary.

Some verses are in grammatical forms that denote gradual process. Other verses are in grammatical forms that denote completed process. Both emphases are intended.

E.  He Glorifies Us

The final phase, perfection in every area, occurs when we arrive in heaven.

Romans 8:20-23 (NKJV) ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Romans 13:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ 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.

Conclusion:

One of the reasons I used the title “Sinners’ Smartest Option” is partly because of the choices and decisions that need to be made which we talked about last Sunday. Another reason for the title is because after we understand what God does with us and for us in the process of redemption, who in the world wouldn’t want to experience it?

Forgiveness, pardon, and wiping the record clean; Transforming and recreating us into someone we never could have become; Adopting us into the royal family of God after we had lived outside the kingdom and estranged from the King; Purifying our hearts and lives to conform more and more to the image of Christ. Finally, completely restoring everything that was lost in the Fall – perfect health, perfect understanding…. !

Oh, hallelujah! What a wonderful Savior!

What a Wonderful Savior #345

Redemption: Sinners' Smartest Option - Part 1

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This is the fifth sermon in a series of messages about the theme of redemption. This message focuses on the conditions for faith that are described in the Scriptures.

Written Excerpts:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Introduction:

We’ve been doing a series of sermons on the topic of redemption. This is a topic that is woven through the entire Bible from front to back. Every single person is in need of redemption and our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, has provided a perfect plan.

John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace and many other hymns said this when he had reached the later years of his life, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!" (Today's Best Illustrations)

(R. L. Wheeler – Draper's Book of Quotations) If I had the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, the meekness of Moses, the strength of Samson, the obedience of Abraham, the compassion of Joseph, the tears of Jeremiah, the poetic skill of David, the prophetic voice of Elijah, the courage of Daniel, the greatness of John the Baptist, the endurance and love of Paul, I would still need redemption through Christ's blood, the forgiveness of sin.

Last week we talked about the plan of redemption being a wise plan designed by God exactly the way that matched our great need. That plan was fulfilled in the life and sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He was truly God and truly man, who freely laid down His life as a perfect sacrifice and He rose again in victory over the Devil and the curse of death upon the human race. Salvation and redemption is a free gift offered to everyone. That is, it cannot be earned or deserved by effort.

But, it is not automatic. God has clearly outlined the choices and decisions that a person must make in order to acquire the gift for themselves.

As we consider the topic of redemption being “The Sinners’ Smartest Option” we are going to break it down into two parts. The first part will focus on man’s decisions or choices. The second part will focus on God’s provisions.

I.    Man’s Decisions

It is certainly important to talk about how desperately humanity needs redeemed, and to talk about how effectively Christ provided it. But, even if a person understands those vital truths, he still isn’t enjoying the personal experience of being redeemed until he follows the instructions that God has laid out in order to receive it.

The word of God teaches that there are several conditions that must be met for any person to personally experience redemption in his own life.

A.  Confession

“Confess” – to say the same thing.

The Bible speaks about two kinds of confession.

1.   Confession about ourselves.

1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

We must admit & say the same about ourselves as God says about us. (i.e. we are sinners. We have violated God’s standards of righteousness and we are under the judgment of death.) This is the same point we made a few weeks ago when we talked about man’s greatest need.

2. Confession about Christ

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus [or Jesus is Lord] and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We must say the same thing about Jesus Christ that God says about Him.

·     He alone is the atoning sacrifice for our sins

·     He alone has accepted our consequences

·     He is the only way to the Father/heaven

B.  Repentance

“Repent” – to experience a complete change of mind or thinking, resulting in a turning away from former beliefs and practices.

Isaiah 55:6-7 (KJV) ⁶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Matthew 21:28-29 (NKJV) ²⁸ “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' ²⁹ He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.

Repentance results from true godly sorrow for sin.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸ For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it [now]; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

C.  Faith (Believe)

“Faith” – A conscious choice to trust everything that is said about Christ (His identity and His sacrifice).

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus [or Jesus is Lord] and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The Cross, Not the Scales (John Stott in Authentic Christianity) The repeated promises in the Qur'an of the forgiveness of a compassionate and merciful Allah are all made to the meritorious, whose merits have been weighed in Allah's scales, whereas the gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales. (Today's Best Illustrations)

D.  Receive

John 1:11-12 (KJV) ¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Don’t know if “receiving” is actually different than believing, except to say…

Believing with just a mental agreement, but not a true confidence and trust is not really “faith.” But faith that is real and genuine will “reach out and accept/receive” God’s gift of grace, trusting that God will keep His promise.

Take It, It's Free! — Debbie Brumley, Concord, NC. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."

To emphasize the point of salvation being free and a gift from the Lord, our pastor held up a dollar bill and said, "You see this dollar bill? It is a gift to whoever will receive it. Now if you really wanted it, you would have to come and accept it."

If the pastor was still in possession of the dollar bill when he concluded his sermon, he could have made a strong point of how many souls are lost because they hesitate to accept the gift of salvation until it is too late. Any such plan to bring across that point, however, was foiled when our three-year-old son ran out of his seat to the front of the church and took the dollar from Rev. Massey!

Rev. Massey capitalized on the situation, however, and made and equally impressive point after the roar of the congregation had settled down. With our little son now back in the pew and proudly holding his newly acquired gift, an obviously pleased pastor changed his object lesson to: "If only folks could see the value of God's great gift, Jesus, they would be running to him also!" (Today's Best Illustrations)

E.  Obey

Obedience is not something we do to gain God’s approval so that He will save us. It is not something that we must do to earn His favor. Obedience is the visible sign that we do actually believe what we say we believe.

Acts 5:32 (NKJV) ³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Hebrews 5:9 (KJV) ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Conclusion:

Today I have tried to explain what the Bible says about the conditions for being a recipient of redemption. We do believe that the sacrifice Jesus made is available to the entire human race, however only those who meet Him on His conditions will be awarded the benefits of His sacrifice.

Remember that these decisions are conditions that God has defined as the path to receive His saving grace, but never forget this… THE CONDITIONS DO NOT EARN ANYTHING.

Salvation is totally by the grace of God and it is totally through faith in Christ. By following the path He has defined, you merely show your faith in what He has said. You’re here this morning with the privilege of hearing how you can know you are redeemed or saved.

If you do not know you are redeemed, come and pray this morning to settle the matter for certain.

We're going to close the service by singing: Jesus Is Calling

Redemption: God's Wisest Plan - Part 2

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is the fourth sermon in a series of messages on redemption. This message emphasizes the work Jesus Christ did to provide our salvation for us.

Written Excerpts:

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Introduction:

We have been talking about the plan of redemption that God ordained for our salvation. It is a subject that is promoted in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

We’ve had three segments in the series so far;

Redemption: Heaven’s Sweetest Song

Redemption: Man’s Greatest Need

Redemption: God’s Wisest Plan

God’s overall plan of redemption is a wonderful plan. It truly is “His Wisest Plan,” and it has unfolded over a long period of time stretching from eternity past to eternity future.

Last week we talked about God designing the plan of redemption even prior to the creation of the world. We also spoke about how various parts of the Old Testament provide a foreshadowing of redemption. The “shadows,” symbols or types show up in such things as animal sacrifices, priests & temples, deliverance of Israel from bondage, etc., etc.

One of the other shadows that I failed to mention last week is the symbolism included in the laws for redemption of property. The story in the OT book of Ruth shows a great example of Boaz redeeming a piece of property, and all the details point to Christ being our “Kinsman Redeemer.”

Today, I want to move on into the NT and summarize the ways in which Jesus Christ accomplished redemption through His death and resurrection. And then, we’ll finish up by looking forward to eternity and the final achievement of redemption.

III. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ.

A. Jesus achieved redemption because of who He was.

1.   Son of God (deity)

Matthew 1:23 (KJV) [Angel speaking to Joseph] ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Mark 1:11 (KJV) ¹¹ And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 1:1 (KJV) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 5:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

These are just a few of the verses that show Jesus Christ to be divine in nature. He is equal with God.

2.   Son of man (humanity)

Dozens of references where Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of man.”

John 1:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Over and over throughout the NT the humanity of Jesus is emphasized… gets tired, suffers, and expresses emotions…

Why does it matter?

If He is God, but not man, He isn’t legally qualified because He isn’t one of us. How can God (any god) assume responsibility for the sins of humans? If He is Man but not God, He isn’t morally qualified, because He can’t be a perfect sacrifice; He is tainted with the sin nature just like us.

A number of years ago I read some Jehovah’s Witness literature that was explaining the passage that I just read from 1 Tim. 2:5. In their attempt to explain that Jesus couldn’t be God, they said that a mediator couldn’t be related to either party seeking reconciliation, so Jesus couldn’t really be God, He was someone created by God. However, if we follow their argument, then the mediator couldn’t be a man either. But the verse literally calls Him the man Christ Jesus.

The truth is, the best mediator is one who is related to both parties – one who seeks the best interest of both parties because he is related to both. Which actually turns out to be another argument for the fact that He is God-man.

No other being in all the universe has the “credentials” for redeemer except Jesus Christ.

B.  Jesus achieved redemption because of what He did.

1. He died in our place. He took our sentence.

Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV) ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 9:12-14 (KJV) ¹² Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. ¹³ For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: ¹⁴ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

1 Peter 3:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Matthew 26:28 (KJV) ²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

These are just a few of the references in Scripture regarding the sacrifice that Jesus made with His own life and blood.

But, this is not all. He not only died, but

2. He rose again.

The death wouldn’t have been effective if the resurrection hadn’t happened.

See 1 Pet. 3:8 “…put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

See also 1 Cor. 15:17 "If Christ be not risen, then your faith is vain."

What is the significance of all this?

1.   It means Jesus is unique.

No other person in all of history predicted his own death and his own resurrection and then completely carried it out. No other person in all of history claims to be the ONLY way (path) to heaven, and then backs it up with such miraculous evidence. Jesus stands out in all history as the most unique; not because of what He did (although that was truly amazing), but because of who He was. He has “earned” the right to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.”

2.   It means salvation is entirely and completely adequate for the needs of humanity.

None of us has to leave this world condemned to hell because of our sin. None of us has to stand before the Judge of all the universe awaiting an eternal death sentence. The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the sins of the whole human race. His sacrifice is a perfect sacrifice.

IV. Redemption will be totally accomplished in glory.

Even though we can put our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and we can surrender to His power and control in our lives, we still experience the limitations of our fallen humanity.

We still are affected in many ways by the curse of the fall.

But one of these days… Time will end and we will all be ushered into eternity. All of the end-time events will be complete and the entire creation will be finally and utterly redeemed. The whole created order will be restored to perfection and we will eternally and perfectly serve and worship the one God and Creator.

Romans 8:18-23 (NRSV) ¹⁸ I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; ²⁰ for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; ²³ and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Paul is reminding us that there is coming a day when we will experience the “redemption of our bodies” along with all of creation that is currently in bondage to decay.

Acts 3:18-21 (NKJV) ¹⁸ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Jesus Christ is currently in heaven until the times of all things being restored, i.e. to its original perfection.

Conclusion:

God’s wonderful plan of redemption is a perfect plan. It is the wisest plan. The sacrifices God required in the Old Testament were only a shadow of the true sacrifice that was to take place on Calvary. The blood of the perfect Lamb has been sprinkled on the heavenly altar, and forgiveness, redemption and total restoration is available for everyone.

It’s no wonder John the Baptist looked at Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29)

Back in 2014, Rodney Griffin, with “Greater Vision” wrote a song titled, “Put Out the Fire” that was recorded on a CD they released in the Spring of last year. This song vividly describes how the sacrifice of God’s Lamb has superseded all previous sacrifices and is eternally effective in washing away our sins. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Jesus Christ IS the perfect, spotless Lamb! The fires on the altar of the temple have been put out! The cross of Calvary has forever become the altar and the sacrifice is finished. His redeeming sacrifice is sufficient for every person. It’s sufficient for you and for me!

If you leave this world without Christ and lose your soul, it won’t be because the sacrifice or the plan of redemption wasn’t adequate. Everything has been perfectly planned and implemented, now it’s up to you and me to believe it, accept it, and live it.

Redemption: God's Wisest Plan - Part 1

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is the third sermon in a series of messages on the topic of Redemption. This message discusses God's ordaining of the plan for redeeming humanity before the creation and it also speaks of the ways redemption is symbolized and foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:  After speaking about man’s greatest need last week, we are going to continue discussing the overall plan of redemption from beginning to end. The title of the message today is: Redemption: God’s Wisest Plan. God’s overall plan of redemption is a wonderful plan. It truly is “His Wisest Plan!”

His plan unfolded and became revealed over a long period of time stretching from eternity past to eternity future. Because there is so much to cover in this area, we are going to consider part of it today and part of it next Sunday. This week we are going to talk about the beginning of the plan and how it unfolded throughout the Old Testament of the Bible.

I. The redemption of humanity was planned before creation.

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NKJV) ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ²⁰ He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

Verse 20 here indicates that the “lamb” was “foreordained” before the foundation of the world.

“foreordained” – literally means “having been foreknown”

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) So we say that in regard to Christ and to his precious blood the foreknowledge of God rested on his gracious decision to send him as our Ransomer; because God so decided he foreknew, the verb implies, not a bare previous knowledge, but one in which God was most deeply concerned cum affectu et effectu. (with feeling and performance)

Acts 2:22-24 (NKJV) ²² "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- ²³ Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; ²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

In other words, the birth, life, and sacrificial death of God’s Son was all decided and planned out before the world was ever created.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “So what? God decided and knew before creation that the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ would come and redeem humanity with his life’s blood. What is so significant about that?”

Significance – God knew beforehand that man would sin, but He created man anyway. 

·     It seems to imply that God values human free will more than guaranteed obedience. 

·     It also seems to imply that the plan God made was absolutely adequate to deal with the problem of sin.

Man’s disobedience and fall into sin, didn’t catch God by surprise, and so therefore, the redemption plan was thoroughly and adequately planned to perfectly match the need or problem. wasn’t a haphazard, hastily devised plan that failed to cover every possibility.

(Greater Vision)

O the blood still cleanses hearts of sin

It still delivers fallen man

It has never lost its power to save

No the blood hasn’t ever changed.

The plan of redemption is the oldest plan in the universe and it is still just as effective as it ever was, and it always will be! Hallelujah!

II. The redemption of humanity is foreshadowed in the OT.

The second phase of the unfolding plan that we want to talk about is the foreshadowing that is presented in the OT.

“Fore” + “shadow” – fore = beforehand. Shadow = shade cast by light over an object, not the real object, thus a type, symbol, or representation of the real object. 

Hebrews 9:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these [i.e. blood, water, scarlet wool and hyssop mentioned in v. 19], but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

Col. 2:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Heb. 8:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

A.  Redemption is specifically symbolized, typified, and represented in the OT covenant that required sacrifices and offerings.

Requirements for the tabernacle/temple, sacrificial animals, altar, priests, etc. have symbolic significance. 

B.  Redemption is pictured in OT passages about the nature of God and the ethical requirements for man.

OT shows truths about God’s nature that are important in understanding redemption. (Love, Holiness, Grace, etc.)

Ethical requirements of the Law (Ten Commandments) so man could continue to live in relationship with God.

C.  Redemption is foreshadowed in God’s covenant and dealings with the nation of Israel.

God’s care for Israel to produce Messiah and illustrate what redemption and salvation are all about.

God chose Israel out of sovereign grace.

God remains true to covenant promises.

God forgives Israel’s frequent backslidings.

God sovereignly guides nation to produce Messiah/Savior.

Conclusion:

There is much more to cover in regards to God’s Plan of Redemption, but we do not have time to talk about it today. Next week, the Lord willing, we will continue by looking at the plan of redemption being completed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. We will also talk about redemption’s finale in the future glory.

I want to sing an old familiar hymn before we celebrate the Lord’s Supper:

Nothing but the Blood