Living in Hope: The Redeemer Lives and Baptism

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Confidence in the Resurrection and Life Beyond Death

Jesus teaches that those who are considered worthy of the resurrection will neither marry nor die anymore, for they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. This profound truth assures believers that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, and that all are alive to Him. The hope of resurrection is not a distant or abstract idea, but a present reality that shapes how we live, love, and face the future. In the face of uncertainty or loss, you are invited to rest in the confidence that God’s promise of new life is sure and that your identity as a child of the resurrection is secure. [18:57]

Luke 20:27-38 (ESV)
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that you are a child of the resurrection, and how might this confidence change the way you approach a current challenge or fear?

Day 2: Faith That Endures Suffering

Job’s declaration, “I know that my redeemer lives,” stands as a testimony of faith in the midst of profound suffering and loss. Rather than giving in to despair or accepting the simplistic answers of his friends, Job clings to the hope that God will ultimately vindicate and redeem him. This faith is not based on circumstances, but on the character and promise of God—a faith that trusts even when the way is dark and the outcome unknown. You are invited to hold fast to this deep, grounded confidence in God, trusting that He is present and at work even in your suffering, and that your Redeemer lives. [27:41]

Job 19:25-27 (ESV)
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!

Reflection: When you face suffering or loss, what would it look like for you to echo Job’s confidence and say, “I know that my Redeemer lives”? Is there a specific situation where you can choose trust over despair today?

Day 3: United with Christ in Death and Resurrection

Baptism is a vivid sign that believers are buried with Christ in his death and raised with him to new life. This union with Christ is not just a symbolic gesture, but a spiritual reality that gives you a new identity—your old self is put to death, and you are raised to walk in newness of life. Living “in Christ” means living out of this new identity, empowered by grace to say no to sin and yes to the life God offers. You are invited to remember your baptism and to live each day as one who has been raised with Christ, confident in the hope and power of his resurrection. [34:46]

Romans 6:3-5 (ESV)
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Reflection: How does remembering your baptism and your union with Christ in his death and resurrection shape the way you see yourself and your purpose today?

Day 4: Grace Comes Before Striving

The Christian life is rooted in grace—God’s unearned favor and love—before any striving for holiness or righteousness. Many have tried to earn God’s acceptance through hard work or moral effort, but true transformation begins with receiving the gift of grace. Out of this grace flows the desire and power to live a holy and righteous life, to humanize the world, and to make it a more tender and grace-filled place. Today, you are invited to rest in the truth that grace comes first, and to let your efforts flow from gratitude rather than anxiety or fear. [36:01]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to “white-knuckle” your way to God’s acceptance? How can you intentionally rest in His grace today and let your actions flow from that place?

Day 5: Living as Children of Light

Those who have been raised with Christ are called to live as children of the light, singing God’s praises and moving into the future with hope, trust, and confidence. Life is not pointless or aimless, but has direction and meaning because of the resurrection. This new life is marked by joy, witness, and a commitment to justice, peace, and love for others. You are invited to let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, living each day as a testimony to the living Redeemer. [48:35]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can let your light shine today—through a word, an act of kindness, or a stand for justice—so that others may see and glorify God?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the deep, unshakeable confidence that comes from knowing our Redeemer lives. Drawing from the story of Job, we see a man who, despite unimaginable suffering and loss, refuses to abandon his faith. Job’s friends and even his own circumstances tempt him to despair or to believe that suffering is always the result of personal failure. Yet, Job’s response is not to curse God or to accept a simplistic theology of reward and punishment. Instead, he proclaims, “I know that my Redeemer lives,” expressing a faith that is rooted not in circumstances, but in the character and promise of God.

This faith is not naïve optimism or mere wishful thinking. It is a confidence forged in the crucible of suffering, a trust that God is present and at work even when the reasons for our pain remain hidden. Job’s testimony anticipates the hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who comes not only to rescue but to unite us with himself in death and resurrection. The Old Testament hints at resurrection, but in Christ, this hope becomes reality: we are buried with him in baptism and raised to new life, not just symbolically, but in a way that redefines our very identity.

This new identity is not something we earn by striving or moral effort. Grace comes first—before holiness, before righteousness, before any attempt to make ourselves worthy. Out of love, God buries our old self and gives us new life. Our calling is to live into this reality, to let our lives be shaped by the confidence that comes from being united with Christ. This is not about “whistling in the dark” or pretending away the world’s pain, but about moving into the future with hope, trust, and a deep assurance that our lives have direction and meaning because our Redeemer lives.

As we witness and participate in the sacrament of baptism, we are reminded that this is not just a ritual, but a profound participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are marked as Christ’s own forever, called to let our light shine, and to live as children of the light—confident, hopeful, and grounded in the grace that comes before all else.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering does not negate God’s presence Job’s story challenges the belief that suffering is always a sign of God’s displeasure or our own failure. Instead, suffering can be a place where God’s glory is revealed and where faith is refined. Even when answers are elusive, God remains present, inviting us to trust rather than despair. [23:03]
2. Faith is confidence in God’s character, not circumstances Job’s declaration, “I know that my Redeemer lives,” is rooted in who God is, not in what Job experiences. True faith looks beyond present pain to the enduring reality of God’s faithfulness and love, allowing us to move forward with hope even when the future is uncertain. [27:41]
3. Our identity is found in Christ’s resurrection Through baptism, we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This union is not just symbolic; it is the foundation of our new identity. Living “in Christ” means embracing the reality that our old self is gone and we are made new, empowered to live with purpose and confidence. [34:46]
4. Grace precedes all striving for holiness Before we attempt to live righteously or make ourselves worthy, God’s grace has already embraced us. Our efforts at holiness are a response to grace, not a means to earn it. This frees us from anxious striving and allows us to live with relaxed confidence in what God has done. [36:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:06] - Gospel Reading: Luke and the Sadducees
[18:21] - Jesus on Resurrection and Eternal Life
[19:49] - The Transformative Power of Scripture
[21:13] - The Book of Job: Literary and Theological Significance
[22:28] - Job and the Mystery of Suffering
[23:47] - Job’s Faith Amid Loss
[25:42] - Voices of Despair and False Theology
[27:01] - Job’s Declaration: “I Know My Redeemer Lives”
[28:18] - Old Testament Hints of Resurrection
[30:14] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of Job’s Hope
[31:37] - United with Christ in Death and Resurrection
[34:46] - Living into Our New Identity
[36:01] - Grace Before Striving
[42:08] - Baptismal Prayers and Commitments
[46:13] - Baptismal Rite and Blessings
[50:39] - Sharing the Peace and Community Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Bible Reading

Job 19:25-27 (ESV)
> For I know that my Redeemer lives,
> and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
> And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
> yet in my flesh I shall see God,
> whom I shall see for myself,
> and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
> My heart faints within me!

Luke 20:27-38 (ESV)
(Condensed for group reading)
> Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question... Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection... Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

Romans 6:3-5 (ESV)
> Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Observation Questions

In Job 19:25-27, what does Job say he is confident about, even in the midst of his suffering?
According to Luke 20:27-38, how does Jesus respond to the Sadducees’ question about resurrection? What does he say about God’s relationship to the living and the dead?
In Romans 6:3-5, what does Paul say happens to us in baptism? How does he connect baptism to Jesus’ death and resurrection?
In the sermon, what are some of the voices or ideas that Job’s friends present to him about suffering? ([26:18])

Interpretation Questions

Why is Job’s declaration, “I know that my Redeemer lives,” so significant in the context of his suffering and loss? What does this reveal about the nature of faith? ([27:01])
How does Jesus’ teaching about resurrection in Luke 20 challenge the beliefs of the Sadducees and perhaps even our own assumptions about life after death?
The sermon says that grace comes before any striving for holiness or righteousness. Why is it important to understand this order? How might it change the way someone approaches their faith? ([36:01])
What does it mean to have a new identity “in Christ” as described in Romans 6 and in the sermon? How is this different from simply trying to be a better person? ([34:46])

Application Questions

Job’s friends assumed his suffering was a result of his own wrongdoing. Have you ever felt judged or misunderstood during a hard time? How did you respond, and what would it look like to respond with Job’s kind of faith? ([26:18])
The sermon says that suffering does not mean God is absent or displeased with us. When you face pain or loss, what helps you remember that God is still present? Is there a specific practice or reminder you could use this week? ([23:03])
Job’s confidence was rooted in God’s character, not his circumstances. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s character more than what you see or feel right now? ([27:41])
The sermon talks about being “united with Christ” in baptism and living out a new identity. How does remembering your baptism (or what it means) shape your daily choices and sense of purpose? ([34:46])
Grace comes before all our efforts. Are there ways you find yourself trying to “earn” God’s love or approval? What would it look like to rest in grace first, and let your actions flow from that place? ([36:01])
The baptismal liturgy says, “Let your light so shine before others.” What is one practical way you can let your light shine this week—in your family, work, or community? ([46:13])
The sermon says that living as “children of the light” is not about pretending pain doesn’t exist, but about moving forward with hope and confidence. What is one step you can take this week to move forward in hope, even if your circumstances haven’t changed? ([36:01])

Sermon Clips

“Job is a believer. He's a believer. This is a testimony of faith. It's one of the most sublime expressions of faith in the Old Testament. Job is a believer and that's how I want to look at it for myself today.”

“I'm thankful for the wealth of scholarship and reflection on Job down through the centuries. I'm thankful for the poignency the poignency of parts of Job, chapters of Job that I would love to spend time talking about.”

“God meets him and basically says Job look how beautiful creation is in Job chapter 38 and onward is this beautiful praise of creation really God doesn't really answer Job directly he basically says look at all the beauty in the world look at the moral order of the world and can't you see that there must be a good God behind it”

“I'd love to spend time talking about chapter 42 where after this after this um uh encounter with God, Job says, you know, I've been believing all my life on the testimony of others by report, but now I see you face to face. That personal encounter makes God real and alive for Job.”

“Job in this uh this passage, he suffered loss. He suffered the loss of his land, his cattle, his family, and then he suffers terrible disease and discomfort. He's in distress. And on top of this, being in distress, having lost many things, one voice comes to him and says, "Job, things aren't looking good. You're headed for the grave in a bad way. You're backing into the grave one step at a time, and it's pretty ugly. So, what you should do, Job, is just get one last shot in at God. Curse God and die." Job will have none of this.”

“And then he has these friends who aren't really friends, but they represent that strain of thought I was telling you. Kind of a prosperity gospel really. They say to him, "Job, come here. Let's just go over to the sideline and can I have a word with you? Somewhere somehow you must have really done wrong because of all this stuff that's happening to you. So one voice said, "Give up." And this voice says, "Give it up. Confess." And Job says, "No, I know that my redeemer lives, my advocate lives, and that at the last he will stand upon this earth. And even though my body be destroyed, yet shall I see God whom I shall see and not as another or as one translation puts it, not as a stranger."”

“God will know him and he will know God. And it won't be a complete surprise because already in this life, Job has been trusting God. This is a faith. This is a love that God that Job sees in Job that casts out fear. And we know that fear can be such a negative driver of life. Job knows that God will come to his side. He doesn't know exactly how things are going to play out, but he trusts that a redeemer will come. And we can feel, can't we, the confidence in Jo in Job's Job's cry.”

“We can feel the confidence when he says, "I'm a believer." He knows that he can head into his future, whatever it holds, confident in God. And that's what we're holding before ourselves today. We should hold that before ourselves every day. And that's what we hold before those who will be baptized today.”

“Now, we don't know. We don't know how prophecy really kind of works. It certainly couldn't have been the case that Job had a little video recorder in his mind or TV and he saw that one day on the shores of Galilee, Jesus wearing sandals and a robe would walk. Not that but by the inspiration of God people were enabled to give testimony to God that would one day be fulfilled.”

“So the promise of resurrection happens in the Old Testament not just to Job but in Hosea we read a key passage. God after two days will revive us. On the third day, he will raise us up that we might live before him. In Daniel, there's a prophecy that sounds very much like a prophecy of the general resurrection of the righteous.”

“What happens in Jesus Christ is that God himself gives this confidence. The redeemer that Job prophesied came among us. Came among us and created a deep hope in us that is more than just whistling through the dark as if we were walking through a graveyard at midnight. And what we do here Sunday by Sunday is not just jin up each other to have courage to get through life's inev inevitable struggles.”

“We do give one another comfort and courage. But we focus on this deep confidence we have that we are united with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection. That's what our confidence is. We move into the future knowing that we've been organically united to Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.”

“Quite simply, God in Jesus Christ has come to our side and he's gifted us to share in his death and resurrection. That's how he's the redeemer. In just a few moments, just a few moments, you'll hear the words about being buried with Christ in his death and sharing in his resurrection. It's part of our liturgy.”

“And so we when we speak in the Christian church and use a phrase over and over again about living in Christ so that that isn't just Christian jargon or a cliche that loses its meaning. in Christ means that our true identity is that new self. And so when you hear people saying live into that identity which is secured, that's what's meant to give us the confidence to say no to sinful ways and to live to that new life that's ours in Christ Jesus.”

“And all of this is grace. All of this is grace. And grace comes first before moral striving for holiness and righteousness. We need those things. Holiness, righteousness, being decent human beings, humanizing the world, making it a more tender place, a more gracefilled place. All of that matters. That's part of our commission. They're held together in Jesus Christ. But grace comes first.”

“So Christians move into the future with hope and trust and confidence. Knowing that life isn't pointless, but it has a direction. Not going through life like whistling in the dark. Not living in the darkness of any depravity, but living as you heard today as children of the light and singing God's praises. For we know that the redeemer lives.”

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