15/07/2023
CGMI SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
DATE: SUNDAY 16th JULY 2023.
HYMN: S.S & S 642 "When We Walk With The Lord..."
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
It is in the interest of the believer to hear, listen to and obey God's voice
TOPIC:
REDEMPTION REALITIES
TEXT:
2Cor 5:17-21; Heb 9:12; Col 1:12-14; Ps 107:2
INTRODUCTION:
The redemption story, in summary, is a demonstration of God's plan for the restoration of man (Eph 1:4), His immense show of love for man by giving His best to mankind (Jn 3:16), and His great provision and empowerment not only to enable man live a life of victory and peace, but also to help him be involved in the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor 5:18). The believer is charged to be involved in the propagation of the gospel by being reminded of what God accomplished through the cross of Jesus. The redemption plan does not exclude any man, no matter how depraved. It is complete and all inclusive. This fact is further confirmed from the important acknowledgement that God want all men saved (2Pt 3:9; 1Tim 2:3-4)
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
1. Define what the redemption of man means
2. Appreciate the need for man's redemption
3. Understand the process of the redemption plan and
4. Highlights the benefits of the redemption of man
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY REDEMPTION ?
The root word for redemption stems from the Greek word 'apolutrosi' which refers to the deliverance of mankind from sin. It is considered to be an important step in salvation because the transgressions in question form part of a great system against which human power is helpless and hopeless. It is further explained as an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed, delivered or rescued.
Man fell from God's grace as demonstrated by the disobedience of Adam (the first Adam), but Christ our redeemer (the last Adam), came to restore us back to God. "....The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit." (1 Cor 15:45). In Ephesians 1:7-8a NIV, we read: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.". In 2Pt 3:9, we understand that: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
So redemption is simply God's plan which He executed to reconcile mankind back to Himself
QUESTION 2.
WHAT WAS THE NEED FOR MAN'S REDEMPTION ?
The word redeemed or redemption is a part of the Christian culture and lingo. The Webster Dictionary defines the word redemption to mean, "A buying back, Release from sin", while it also further states that "sin is anything you do, say or think that breaks God's law". The need for redemption implies that a negative thing, choice or action (that is sin) came first bringing about this need for redemption. Jesus stepped in and said that He would be the one to seek redemption on our behalf, for sin. He is the one who "made up" for sin arising from our wrong actions, decisions or behaviours.
Jesus told us that the 'enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy ', but that He has 'come give us life, and to give it more abundantly ' (Jn 10:10), but that the reason He (Jesus) appeared was to "destroy the works of the devil" (1Jn 3:8).
The writer of Hebrews further reinforce this fact by noting that "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14)
QUESTION 3.
MENTION AND DISCUSS THE PROCESS OF THE REDEMPTION PLAN
The process of redemption can be seen in two folds. The first stage is from God and the second stage is man's conviction and response. The Bible says that "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In fact, when man fell from God's plan for his life, God took the initiative and made provision for man's redemption by declaring that the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of Satan (Gen 3:15). It is important to observe that God saw ahead man's predicament and actually made provision for our redemption through "...the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev 13:8b). Our loving Father through His Son followed up this provision with an invitation to all by announcing to the world: "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light." (" Matt 11:28-30). With this, man's positive response was now required complete the redemption process.
Man's appropriate response is succinctly demonstrated in the story of the prodigal son as narrated in Luke 15:17-21. This young man sought independence and departed from his biological family and began to live a riotus life. When the pressures, problems and dangers of life hit him hard, he saw the need to retrace his steps. The scriptures declare that: "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."(Lk 15:17-19).
The story illustrates the steps that every unsaved person needs to take in order to enjoy the redemption work of Christ.
1. HE CAME TO HIMSELF- This talks of his conviction about his real situation
2. I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER- This implies courage to the action, and the confidence and faith to approach his father
3. I WILL SAY TO HIM "FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND BEFORE YOU"- This connotes confession
4. MAKE ME LIKE ONE OF YOUR HIRED SERVANTS- This suggests his prayer to be adopted, unfortunately, no longer as a son but as a 'hired servant)
Similarly, the sinner must be convicted of his need for redemption, and be courageous and confident enough to approach God's throne of grace for help. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom10:10). In Revelation 3:20, we read "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." When this is done in faith, unlike the case of the prodigal son, the redeemed is not a 'hired servant', but rather becomes a part of the "chosen generation, a royal priesthood" (1Pt 2:9), and indeed a "joint heir with Christ"(Rom 8:17). Having received "with meekness the engrafted word" (Jas 1:21), the redeemed is now in a position to enjoy the benefits of the Cross.
QUESTION 4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE REDEMPTION OF MAN ?
1. THE REDEEMED HAVE ETERNAL INHERITANCE:
"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."(Heb 9:15NIV)
2. With the death and resurrection of Jesus, sin has been paid for, so we do not have to work or at one for our sins in any way.
3. On the cross, Jesus said, "it is finished". This is a declaration of the completeness of the redemptive work of Christ
4. The class should mention others
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The redemption in Christ has relevance for our past, present and future. In retrospect, it reminds us of where we are coming from and what the Lord has done for us. For the present, it confirms our new and exalted position by being made joint heir with Christ. For the future and for eternity, it reveals what our place is in God's scheme of things.
Finally, it challenges us to live the life of righteousness and holiness, and make every effort to ensure that as many people as possible, who are still in darkness, are reached and brought into the marvellous and glorious light of God's redemption
MEMORY VERSE
Colossians 1:14 NIV
"in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
