Grosey's Messages

Jesus Christ our Redeerevmer  Titus 2,3

The feast of reconciliation was held throughout Chinese families last Tuesday. It is called the feast of lanterns.  The idea of it is that families should spend a week from Chinese New Year until the 15^th reconciling. Reconciliation, communion, renewing friendships and burying old wounds is difficult among people, and impossible between God and humanity except something be done by God. Everyone needs Forgiveness. We need it from God. But there is No Forgiveness Without Redemption! Monday night speed skater from the Netherlands, Antoinette de Jong according to the Olympic commentator "was looking for redemption".  Throughout the Winter Olympics, quite strangely, different commentators have used the word "redemption".  It is almost as though they have no idea what the word means, but someone said it so they are all saying it. B. B. Warfield of Princeton Theological Seminary argued that "there is no one of the titles of Christ which is more precious to Christian hearts than 'Redeemer.'" This is because, he said, Redeemer "is the name specifically of the Christ of the cross. Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that he paid a mighty price for it."

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

"Redemption"

Agorazō.  "To buy in a marketplace"

OT Hebrew gaal or goel (kinsman redeemer) Leviticus 25:33 What, therefore, belongs to the Levites may be redeemed and a house sale in the city of this possession reverts in the jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel.

Kofer  "a ransom price" If a farm animal killed a person, the animal could be killed in payment for the life taken. Leon Morris's Apostolic Preaching of the Cross there are examples of what was almost a standard formulation for the manumission of slaves in this period. It might read:  ______________ pays to the Pithian Apollo the sum of ______________ minae for the slave ______________ on the condition that he (she) shall be set free.  This occurs so frequently that it is evident that the idea of delivering a person by the payment of a price was common in Greek culture.

1 Peter 1:18-19"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 forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

exagorazō. (buy back for) Jesus purchased us so that we might be taken out of the marketplace and never have to return to the market place. Matthew 20:28, Jesus says, "The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Titus 2:14 "He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Apolutrosis (freedom)

Colossians 1: 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Leviticus 25: 48 then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him, 49 or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. Romans 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

There was a Freedom rally in Canberra last weekend. But if freedom is protesting some vaccine mandates, these folks have no idea what freedom is compared to living in many other countries. In a near neighbour to Australia I have friends who would love to be able to walk outside their house and not be killed for being a Christian.

At least 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire (about 1/3rd of the total population were slaves). 500,000 in Corinth. "to purchase and set free by paying a price."

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM THE BONDAGE TO SIN'S PENALTY

Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'"

Galatians 4:4–5 says, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."

Galatians 3:10 says, "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" If you live by the Law you have to keep it 100% from Birth to death. If you disobey once, you are under a curse.

Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." This does not make us lawless. The Law of God is written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We obey God's Law because we love God. We obey God's Law because our new nature impels us to obey God's Law. Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM BONDAGE TO SIN'S PAIN (SHAME)

Revelation 1:5 To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

See the Anguish of Love There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin,

He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.

See the Achievements of Love kingdom, priests

See the Appreciation of Love to Him be the glory and the dominion forever surrender.

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM BONDAGE TO SIN'S POWER
Titus 2:11–14: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The prodigal son wanted to be free. He wanted to get away from his big brother and his father, so he went out into a far country. He thought he was free, but he discovered his freedom soon turned into bondage. We were in bad shape: Titus 3:3

Redeemed from past life. 1 Peter 1:18,19, 1 Peter 4:1-4

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM THE BONDAGE TO SIN'S PRESENCE

Romans 8:23 "We wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."  Also Ephesians 1:13–14 Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

He has redeemed us, He shall redeem us. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Phil. 3:20–21). We are looking forward to a glorious day of redemption.

Postmodern age.. selfish age.

REDEMPTION IS PERSONAL, PRESENT, PURCHASED, AND PRECIOUS.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Knowing God Chapter 1

What is at the root of much of the church's weakness?

In your own words, describe the two trends that have contributed to this problem.

How may we help remedy this situation?

How do you answer the challenge "Is theology necessary and relevant in our day?"?

State in your own words five foundational truths.

What is the danger of pursuing theological knowledge for its own sake?

What should be our ultimate aim in studying theology?

How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God?

What is meditation? What is the result of meditation?

Knowing God Chapter 2

What is the difference between knowing God and just knowing about God?

Describe in your own words the four characteristics or evidences of people who do know God.

Think about how your own life measures up to these four characteristics.

What are your strongest and weakest?

In what two ways does Packer describe people showing great energy for God?

What would having "great energy for God" look like in your life? Describe in your own words what it looks like to "have great thoughts of God". How does that work out in your own life? What would "great boldness for God" look like in your life? Does this depend on what others are doing?

Describe in your own words the two steps that Packer recommends for those who wish to know God. Think about and plan what you intend to do about it. Share this plan with a friend and ask them to help keep you accountable to follow this plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR2rs109re0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz4ZqThHAu0