Open: What’s the best gift you have ever received? What made it so special?
Back ground comments:
Among Christians we throw words around like, redemption, atonement and salvation without giving it any thought of what the words really mean.
The last few weeks we have been going through a series titled “Forming Your Biblical Worldview”. I realize that in just six short weeks I cannot teach you what I learned in my theology classes in Bible College and Seminary but I hope that it has helped you begin forming your own biblical worldview. After all, it is highly important that you know what you believe!
This weekend we are going to look at how Jesus' death on the cross solved our biggest problem”. Last week we came to understand that our biggest problem is a small three letter word, SIN. That is why we need a Savior.
Take a moment and read the following definitions. Get familiar with these as they are part of our biblical worldview.
Redemption: The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil: God's plans for the redemption of his world. Dictionary © 2005-2007 Apple Inc. (Theological) The purchase of God's favor by the death and sufferings of Christ; the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ. (Atonement: In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ.) 1828 Websters Dictionary. Salvation: (Theological) The redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him of everlasting happiness.
Explore:
“We become Christians or redeemed through God's unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of services on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift of atonement, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. No action or work we do can help us obtain salvation. God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church. (Ephesians 4:12)”
Excerpted from: Page 1982, Life Application Study Bible, New International Version, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.
“True redemption comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is God's solution to sin and His plan for our salvation.
We know the world isn't how it should be, and we long for redemption. We know in our hearts that we have sinned; guilt is the one thing all human beings share. And we know the world is broken; we want freedom from deprivation, pain, and suffering. So we seek liberation – forgiveness – and we are driven to find the good life, to find something to release us from oppression and hardship. It's hardwired into us.
Unfortunately, people chronically look for answers in the wrong places. Many think that politics is the answer (i.e., to change people change the laws). Other people look to education to solve the problem (i.e., to change people, change what they learn). Others believe that money will buy happiness (i.e., to change people, change what they have). Another supposed route to salvation is through psychology (i.e., to change people, change what they feel). Others look to social change (i.e., to change people, change how they relate). Some scientists believe that the solution is biological (i.e., to change people, change their bodies). Then there are those who look to religion for the answers (i.e., to change people, change what they believe). The biblical answer is very different from all of these others, because it is the only one that produces the intended results. In other words, only the biblical worldview passes the correspondence test for truth, conforming to the way things really are. It alone correctly identifies the problem as originating in the human heart, and it reaches into the heart not only to deal with guilt, compulsion, and anxiety but also to answer the heart's deepest longings. It is also the only livable worldview. The biblical worldview provides genuine reconciliation between people.”
Excerpted from: The Good Life, by Charles Colson, pages 316 & 317
Get it:
Have you ever been persuaded by any false offers of salvation? Why do you think people resist the truth and seek other alternatives? How do other worldviews handle the problem of guilt? What hope do they offer for the future? What hope would you offer someone for the guilt they may be carrying?
Apply:
Are you facing a difficult situation in which you need to see God’s grace? In what practical ways can you and your group demonstrate Christ’s redemption and reconciliation to others?
 |
| Blessings, Pastor Ruben Ortega |
No comments:
Post a Comment