God's Redemption: Understanding His Plan Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Grasping God's Comprehensive Narrative

Understanding the Old Testament in light of the New Testament requires a comprehensive grasp of God's work throughout history, not just connecting individual verses. This understanding allows us to share the story of Jesus meaningfully with future generations. By seeing the Bible as a unified story, we can appreciate how God orchestrated history to bring Jesus into the world, demonstrating His control and love for us. This perspective helps us move beyond a superficial understanding of Jesus' life and mission, allowing us to pass on a deeper, more meaningful faith to our children and grandchildren. [02:20]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally share the comprehensive story of Jesus with someone in your life this week, moving beyond just individual Bible verses?

Day 2: Redemption from Futility

Redemption in Christ is not just about being freed from physical bondage but from the futility and meaninglessness of life without God. This redemption is a fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in Zechariah's song. The word "redeemed" highlights God's work in the past, like the Exodus from Egypt, and points forward to the redemption we have in Christ. This redemption transforms our lives, giving us purpose and meaning that transcends our circumstances. It invites us to live in the freedom and fullness of life that God intended for us. [05:11]

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel a sense of futility or meaninglessness? How can you invite God's redemptive power into those areas today?

Day 3: God's Eternal Purpose Fulfilled

God's covenant promises, fulfilled in Jesus, are not an afterthought but part of His eternal purpose. His mercy, displayed throughout history, culminates in Jesus, showing that His plan was always to bring redemption through Christ. This understanding helps us see the events surrounding Jesus' birth as part of God's grand narrative. The word "remembered" emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, which culminate in Jesus. These promises are integral to God's eternal plan, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His people. [09:09]

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's eternal purpose and faithfulness to His promises change the way you view your current circumstances?

Day 4: Serving God Without Fear

God's goal for His people is to serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice. Just as He redeemed Israel to worship Him, He redeems us to devote our lives to Him, solving the problem of how sinners can enter His holy presence. The word "revolutionized" speaks to God's goal for His people: to serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice. This transformation is not self-evident but requires the work of the Holy Spirit to lift the veil from our hearts, enabling us to accept Christ and know God as our Father. [13:17]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: What fears hold you back from fully serving God? How can you take a step towards serving Him in holiness and justice today?

Day 5: Transformation by the Holy Spirit

The transformation that comes from accepting Christ is not self-evident but requires the work of the Holy Spirit. This divine intervention lifts the veil from our hearts, enabling us to know God as our Father and live as His children. Through the covenant of redemption, planned by the Father, procured by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit, we are transformed. This transformation is a profound change that affects every aspect of our lives, calling us to live in a way that reflects our identity as God's children. [18:12]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life to transform you? How can you cooperate with His work in you today?

Sermon Summary

Understanding the Old Testament in light of the New Testament can be challenging, much like trying to solve algebra without a cheat sheet. The key is to grasp the comprehensive nature of God's work throughout history, both secular and redemptive. This understanding allows us to share the story of Jesus with our children and grandchildren in a meaningful way, beyond the trivialities of a sentimental Christmas. God orchestrated history to make Jesus' coming possible, demonstrating His control over the universe and His desire for a relationship with us.

Zechariah's song in the New Testament reflects a deep understanding of God's purposes, pointing back to the Exodus and forward to the epistles. Redemption is a central theme, not just from physical bondage but from the futility of life without God. The promises made to David in the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus, who establishes an eternal kingdom. This kingdom is not of this world, challenging our desires for a king who will fix our external problems without addressing our internal rebellion.

God's covenant with Abraham and the promises throughout the Old Testament culminate in Jesus. The events surrounding John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' coming are inexplicable without understanding God's eternal purpose. God's mercy, displayed throughout history and ultimately in Jesus, was not an afterthought but part of His eternal plan. The fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus is the answer to our futility and rebellion.

The veil over our hearts, as described in 2 Corinthians, is only removed in Christ. God's goal is for His people to serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice. The story of the Exodus illustrates this, as God redeemed His people to devote their existence to Him. The gospel reveals God's solution to the problem of sin, allowing sinners into His presence through the covenant of redemption planned by the Father, procured by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is entirely of God, and only through His Spirit can we accept the truth of the gospel. The true believer magnifies God's grace, recognizing that it is His Spirit who conquers our rebellious wills and lifts the veil from our hearts. Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts. Life is short, death is certain, and judgment is a reality. Believe in the way of life in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding the Old Testament in light of the New Testament requires a comprehensive grasp of God's work throughout history, both secular and redemptive. This understanding allows us to share the story of Jesus meaningfully, beyond the trivialities of a sentimental Christmas. [02:20]
2. Redemption is not just from physical bondage but from the futility of life without God. The promises made to David in the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus, who establishes an eternal kingdom. This challenges our desires for a king who will fix external problems without addressing internal rebellion. [06:20]
3. God's covenant with Abraham and the promises throughout the Old Testament culminate in Jesus. The events surrounding John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' coming are inexplicable without understanding God's eternal purpose. His mercy, displayed throughout history and ultimately in Jesus, was not an afterthought but part of His eternal plan. [09:09]
4. The veil over our hearts, as described in 2 Corinthians, is only removed in Christ. God's goal is for His people to serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice. The story of the Exodus illustrates this, as God redeemed His people to devote their existence to Him. [12:46]
5. Salvation is entirely of God, and only through His Spirit can we accept the truth of the gospel. The true believer magnifies God's grace, recognizing that it is His Spirit who conquers our rebellious wills and lifts the veil from our hearts. Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts. [18:25]
** [18:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Understanding the Old Testament
[02:20] - God's Comprehensive Plan
[03:15] - The Purpose of Jesus' Coming
[04:40] - Redemption Through Christ
[05:40] - Promises to David Fulfilled
[06:54] - The Kingdom Not of This World
[08:08] - God's Covenant with Abraham
[09:09] - Eternal Purpose of God's Mercy
[10:12] - The Veil Over Our Hearts
[12:46] - Only in Christ is the Veil Removed
[13:17] - God's Goal for His People
[15:04] - The Covenant of Redemption
[17:27] - Salvation is All of God
[19:57] - The Call to Believe

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 1:68-75 (Zechariah's Song)
1 Peter 1:18-19
2 Samuel 7:12-16

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Observation Questions:

In Zechariah's song, what does the word "redeemed" signify about God's work in the past and future? How does this relate to the Exodus from Egypt? [03:43]
How does 1 Peter 1:18-19 describe the nature of redemption through Christ? What are believers redeemed from according to this passage? [04:40]
What promise is given to David in 2 Samuel 7, and how is this promise fulfilled in Jesus according to the sermon? [05:53]
How does the sermon describe the misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom by the disciples and others? What kind of king were they expecting? [06:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding the Old Testament in light of the New Testament help believers share the story of Jesus with future generations? Why is this comprehensive understanding important? [02:20]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's covenant promises and their fulfillment in Jesus? How does this understanding affect the way we view the events surrounding Jesus' birth? [09:09]
In what ways does the sermon describe the transformation that comes from accepting Christ? Why is the work of the Holy Spirit necessary for this transformation? [18:12]
How does the concept of serving God without fear, in holiness and justice, relate to the redemption of Israel from Egypt? What does this imply about the purpose of redemption for believers today? [13:17]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your understanding of the Old Testament. How can you deepen your grasp of God's comprehensive plan to better share the story of Jesus with others? [02:20]
Redemption in Christ is described as freedom from futility and meaninglessness. Can you identify areas in your life where you feel this futility? How can you seek redemption in those areas? [05:11]
God's covenant promises are fulfilled in Jesus. How does this assurance of God's faithfulness impact your trust in His promises for your life today? [09:09]
The sermon emphasizes serving God without fear. What fears might be holding you back from fully devoting your life to God? How can you address these fears? [13:17]
The transformation by the Holy Spirit is not self-evident. How can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? What steps can you take to invite this transformation? [18:12]
Consider the ways you might misunderstand Jesus' kingdom, expecting a political or worldly savior. How can you align your expectations with the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom? [06:31]
The sermon mentions God's mercy leading to repentance. How have you experienced God's kindness in your life, and how has it led you to change? [10:52]

Sermon Clips

the issue is the comprehensive nature of things it is having a large enough a big enough grasp of what god is doing throughout all of history as it involves both secular history and redemptive history and at many points the two things are fused now i want to give you just an outline which will then be the basis for your further study [00:02:13]

do you realize all the things that god did in order to to make it possible for jesus to come do you realize how much god controlled in the whole universe do you realize how wonderfully in charge he is of things and do you know that this god knows you and made you and made you for a relationship with himself and do you know that in jesus you can know him and meet him [00:03:02]

just as the people of god were redeemed from the enslavement of egypt so it is the experience of those who have come to trust in jesus that they too have understood redemption in a way that is even far more fulfilling that it is a redemption from the futility and meaninglessness of life without god life is futile and meaningless without god not just without any god but without the god and father of our lord jesus christ [00:04:50]

the promises of god is given to david in second samuel 7 that you will have someone who comes through your lineage who will be a king who will out king all the kings you will have someone who will establish a kingdom that will never end you will have someone who comes from your lineage who will reign on the throne of the davinic dynasty as it were and this will be the establishment of that which will never come to an end [00:06:00]

god's covenant with abram in genesis 12 and all of the covenant promises of god which run through the old testament finally find their fulfillment in jesus and until we understand that until we come to terms with that then the events which surround both the birth of john the baptist and the coming of jesus are inexplicable aren't they [00:08:10]

the work of god's mercy as it is referenced here to show mercy to our fathers his display of mercy throughout all of history and ultimately in jesus wasn't an afterthought because of sin but the mercy of god was his eternal purpose i listen to people again talk and they have this kind of view of this is how it goes god had a plan he started this plan off it went dreadfully wrong and so he started another plan no [00:09:22]

god's goal for his people in every generation is that having rescued them they might serve him with fear without fear in holiness and injustice so you go back to the story of the exodus and what do you find god says to moses get my people out of egypt go to pharaoh and say let my people go in order that they might worship me [00:13:12]

there is a sense in which the story of the bible is the story of god fixing his problem not fixing our problems for what is god's problem god's problem if we might put it that way is how he in his absolute perfection and holiness can allow sinners into his heaven how can god allow sinners into heaven if he is of pure eyes to behold iniquity [00:15:04]

the father and the son and the holy spirit in eternity entered into a covenant of redemption which the father planned which the son procured and which the holy spirit applies and suddenly the lights go on for a person when they get this and they're revolutionized but until then like water on a corrugated roof rain on the roof [00:15:46]

only god's grace in the saving work of jesus can cause us to accept the truth you see through the gospel we are made god's children god accepts us as his children through the gospel that he has provided in christ the only answer to our predicament and through the work of the holy spirit which the gospel wins for us a man or woman is then enabled to accept christ as a savior and to know god as a father [00:17:57]

it is god's spirit who conquers our rebellious wills it is god's spirit who lifts the self-imposed hatred and rejection of god from our hearts only god's spirit but you see that salvation is all of god if it were self-evident if he would just say okay it isn't it's not hidden it's disclosed but there is a veil and only in christ is that veil taken away [00:18:12]

that god by his spirit has come to a life and done something for that life and in that life that that individual could never in a million years do for themselves and that is why the true believer always magnifies the grace of god that's why the true christian always says amazing grace how sweet the sound the saved a bum like me [00:19:57]

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God's Redemption: Understanding His Plan Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Grasping God's Comprehensive Narrative

Day 2: Redemption from Futility

Day 3: God's Eternal Purpose Fulfilled

Day 4: Serving God Without Fear

Day 5: Transformation by the Holy Spirit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

God's Redemption: Understanding His Plan Through Christ

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