Redemption: From Abram to Christ's Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: The Responsibility of Redemption

Description: The story of Abram rescuing Lot provides a profound illustration of the Old Testament concept of redemption. In this narrative, Abram, as the head of his family, takes on the responsibility to rescue his nephew Lot when he is captured by an enemy army. Despite the risks involved, Abram puts his own resources and people on the line to redeem Lot, demonstrating the deep familial obligation to restore and protect one's kin. This act of redemption is not just a historical account but a theological principle that foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. The head of the household was expected to redeem family members who had fallen into hardship or captivity, a principle deeply rooted in the Old Testament traditions and laws. [34:27]

Genesis 14:14-16 (ESV): "When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people."

Reflection: Think of a family member or close friend who is in need of help or support. How can you step in to offer assistance or redemption in their situation today?

Day 2: Jesus as the Ultimate Redeemer

Description: In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the role of the redeemer by sacrificing His life to save humanity. This act of redemption is not just a New Testament concept but is deeply rooted in the Old Testament traditions and laws. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of redemption, paying the price for our sins and offering us eternal life. This fulfillment of the Old Testament principle of redemption through Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Christian faith, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. [37:11]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for your life. How does understanding Jesus as your redeemer change the way you live and interact with others?

Day 3: The Inclusivity of God's Family

Description: Unlike Abram and Lot, who had to separate due to limited resources, God's household is limitless. There is always room for more in God's family, and His resources are infinite. This inclusivity calls us to share the message of redemption with others, ensuring that no one is left out of God's eternal family. The boundless nature of God's household is a powerful reminder of His love and grace, inviting us to extend that same inclusivity to those around us. [40:00]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who may feel excluded or marginalized. How can you extend God's inclusive love and invite them into His family today?

Day 4: Living Out Redemption

Description: As followers of Christ, we are called to live out the principle of redemption in our daily lives. This means helping those in need, sharing the love of Jesus, and being examples of what it means to redeem and restore others. Living out redemption involves practical actions and a heart of compassion, reflecting the love and sacrifice of Jesus in our interactions with others. It is a call to be active participants in God's redemptive work in the world, making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us. [41:23]

James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Identify a specific way you can help someone in need today. How can you be a living example of Christ's redemption in your community?

Day 5: Communion as a Reminder of Redemption

Description: The act of communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the redemption it brings. It connects us to the long history of God's redemptive work, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, and calls us to live out this redemption in our lives. Communion is not just a ritual but a profound expression of our faith and gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus. It is a moment to reflect on the depth of God's love and the price paid for our salvation, inspiring us to live in a way that honors that sacrifice. [46:25]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV): "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you live out the redemption you have received in your daily actions and relationships?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound theme of redemption as illustrated in the story of Abram (later known as Abraham) and his nephew Lot. This Old Testament narrative provides a foundational understanding of redemption that is later fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. Abram, as the head of his family, took on the responsibility to rescue Lot when he was captured by an enemy army. Despite the risks involved, Abram put his own resources and people on the line to redeem Lot, demonstrating the deep familial obligation to restore and protect one's kin.

This act of redemption is not just a historical account but a theological principle that foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the redeemer who pays the ultimate price—His own life—to save humanity from sin and death. This concept of redemption is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the head of the household was expected to redeem family members who had fallen into hardship or captivity.

We also reflected on the inclusivity of God's family. Unlike Abram and Lot, who had to separate due to limited resources, God's household is boundless. There is always room for more in God's family, and His resources are infinite. This inclusivity is a call for us to share the message of redemption with others, ensuring that no one is left out of God's eternal family.

As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the redemption it brings. We are called to live out this redemption in our daily lives, helping others and sharing the love of Christ. The act of communion is not just a ritual but a powerful reminder of the redemption story that spans from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. Redemption in the Old Testament: The story of Abram rescuing Lot illustrates the Old Testament concept of redemption, where the head of the family is responsible for redeeming those in need. This act of putting one's resources on the line to save a family member foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. [34:27]
2. Jesus as the Ultimate Redeemer: In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the role of the redeemer by sacrificing His life to save humanity. This act of redemption is not just a New Testament concept but is deeply rooted in the Old Testament traditions and laws. [37:11]
3. Inclusivity of God's Family: Unlike Abram and Lot, who had to separate due to limited resources, God's household is limitless. There is always room for more in God's family, and His resources are infinite. This inclusivity calls us to share the message of redemption with others. [40:00]
4. Living Out Redemption: As followers of Christ, we are called to live out the principle of redemption in our daily lives. This means helping those in need, sharing the love of Jesus, and being examples of what it means to redeem and restore others. [41:23]
5. Communion as a Reminder of Redemption: The act of communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the redemption it brings. It connects us to the long history of God's redemptive work, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, and calls us to live out this redemption in our lives. [46:25]
### [46:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:32] - Prayer Requests and Offering
[24:16] - Opening Prayer
[25:15] - Transition to Study of the Word
[26:01] - Kids Club and VBS Registration
[27:49] - Review of Last Week's Sermon
[29:24] - Patriarchal Period and Family Structure
[30:52] - Abram and Lot's Relationship
[32:17] - Abram's Responsibility to Lot
[34:27] - Concept of Redemption in the Old Testament
[36:02] - Redemption in Israel's Tribal Society
[37:11] - Jesus as the Ultimate Redeemer
[39:19] - God's Family is Limitless
[40:00] - Inclusivity of God's Household
[41:23] - Living Out Redemption
[42:12] - Preparing for Communion
[44:13] - Passover and Redemption
[45:18] - Confession and Forgiveness
[46:25] - Communion
[49:03] - Invitation to Communion
[59:13] - Announcements and Blessing
[60:17] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did Abram take to rescue Lot, and what risks were involved? ([34:27])
How does the concept of redemption in the Old Testament, as seen in Abram's actions, foreshadow the redemption through Jesus Christ? ([37:11])
What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about the cost of our redemption? How does this compare to the cost Abram paid to rescue Lot?
How does the sermon describe the inclusivity of God's family compared to Abram and Lot's separation due to limited resources? ([40:00])

Interpretation Questions

Why was it significant that Abram, as the head of his family, took responsibility for Lot's rescue? How does this reflect the Old Testament principle of redemption? ([34:27])
In what ways does Jesus' sacrifice as described in 1 Peter 1:18-19 fulfill the Old Testament concept of redemption? ([37:11])
How does the sermon illustrate the idea that God's household is limitless and inclusive? What implications does this have for our understanding of God's family? ([40:00])
What does it mean to live out the principle of redemption in our daily lives, according to the sermon? ([41:23])

Application Questions

Abram risked his own resources and people to rescue Lot. Are there situations in your life where you need to take a risk to help someone in need? What might that look like? ([34:27])
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption. How does this understanding of Jesus' sacrifice impact your daily life and decisions? ([37:11])
God's family is described as limitless and inclusive. How can you actively share the message of redemption with others to ensure no one is left out of God's eternal family? ([40:00])
Reflect on the concept of living out redemption. What are some practical ways you can help those in need and share the love of Jesus in your community? ([41:23])
During communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this reminder more meaningful in your life and use it as a motivation to live out the redemption story? ([46:25])
Think about a time when you felt excluded or left out. How can you use that experience to empathize with others and ensure they feel included in God's family? ([40:00])
The sermon calls us to be examples of redemption. Identify one person in your life who needs help or support. What specific actions can you take this week to be a redeemer in their life? ([41:23])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "And then we get to the New Testament. And we find that Jesus is paying the ransom. Jesus is paying the cost. Jesus is putting his own assets and his own risk on the line to reclaim his kin." [38:09](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God's family can't get too big. Amen. We talked about the household last week. And how God was preparing a place for us in heaven. And his home. And we just said that the family home is surrounded by the patriarch of the family. Our heavenly father is our patriarch. And his house, the walls of his home. Cannot. Cannot be too small." [39:19](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We can't get too many people in God's family. His household doesn't have to divide because the land can't support us. It doesn't have to say we don't have enough resources. We don't have enough food. We don't have enough water. We can't travel as a whole. Because there's always enough space." [40:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we share the love of Jesus. When we share what Christ has done. We are helping share the redeemer. With those who need the power. The power of redemption." [41:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The only thing that God asks. Is that we confess our sins. With one another. And to him and he will forgive." [45:18](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So Abram has to decide what to do. But the responsibility of the head of the family still lied upon Abram. He still was required to go and to keep his nephew safe. And this is where we get in the Old Testament the concept of redemption. You see, often as Christians we imagine that this concept of redemption is a New Testament concept. We don't think of it as something that is just there. Like we imagine that Jesus came and now redemption came into the scriptures. But it lived out through the Old Testament. Because the head of the household was supposed to redeem those in the family who needed it." [36:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "In Israel's tribal society, redemption was the act of a patriarch who put his own resources on the line to ransom a family member. Who had been driven to the margins of society. By poverty. Who had been seized by an enemy against whom he had no defense. Who found themselves enslaved by the consequences of a faithless life. Redemption was the means by which a lost family member was restored to a place of security within the kinship circle." [37:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And friends, God's family can't get too big. Amen. We talked about the household last week. And how God was preparing a place for us in heaven. And his home. And we just said that the family home is surrounded by the patriarch of the family. Our heavenly father is our patriarch. And his house, the walls of his home. Cannot. Cannot be too small. He doesn't run out of space in his compound for us to have our own little house. He will fit us all in there. How? I don't know. That's God mystery math. Okay? I mean, that's like, I don't want to see what the architects in heaven have to do to fit everybody in God's compound. But he does it. And that's the miracles of heaven. Right? Y'all are with me on that one. Right? Okay. Okay. We're good." [39:19](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So today we come to that same table. The scriptures are filled like stories. Like this one. Of people all those years ago. Just like us. Who questioned the Bible. The times I'm sure the children. Asked these questions of mom. Why? Is it like this? Passover that's what it was. Why do we eat this bread? Why do we do this? There was people who didn't always get along. And parents who sometimes chose favorites. But in all things. God's word and grace was meant for us all. And there's no need for us to have any pretenses. When we come to this place or this table." [44:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So send us with that purpose. Send us with that mission and help us to be a good family. There's a reunion that's always filled with joy and to be filled by you. I pray this in the name of the Father. And the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen." [01:00:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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