Redemption—What Is It? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Subjects of Redemption. Those who were in bondage to a “vain manner of living”. 1 Peter 1:18 Realize that you weren’t set free from the worthless life handed down to you from your ancestors by a payment of silver or gold which can be destroyed. Source of Redemption. Of God it is said that “His grace” operates “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” and that the redemption comes to us “according to the riches of His grace”. Romans 3:24 They receive God’s approval freely by an act of his kindness through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free ⸤from sin⸥. Ephesians 1:7 Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness. Price of Redemption. The price is “His Blood” (Eph. 1:7), which Christ gave as “a ransom” (Matt. 20:28) and is the equivalent for all demands—1 Tim. 2:6. Substance of Redemption. Christ is its Substance and Embodiment, hence, “He is made unto us Redemption”. 1 Corinthians 1:30 You are partners with Christ Jesus because of God. Jesus has become our wisdom sent from God, our approval, our holiness, and our ransom from sin. Consummation of Redemption is when our Lord returns. Hence, we are waiting for “the redemption of our body”. Romans 8:23 However, not only creation groans. We, who have the Spirit as the first of God’s gifts, also groan inwardly. We groan as we eagerly wait for our adoption, the freeing of our bodies ⸤from sin⸥.
Dangerous Friends A recent newspaper article treated with great good sense the danger which comes to many young men through the bad judgment of injudicious friends. The writer says: “A young man starts out to succeed in life. His enemy may lie about him, may call him worthless. He may think he is hurting him. If there is anything in the young man, the enemy’s lies and discouraging words only spur him on to greater effort. They do him good. It is the friend that ruins the young man by false, injudicious, unearned praise. As artist, poet, writer, clerk, or in any other effort, the young man begins his work. It is his friends who tell him that he is a splendid success when he needs to be told that, at best, he offers some slight chance of success, and that everything depends on desperate effort. Look at the young, conceited fool, who, instead of struggling on, rails at the world; feels that he is not appreciated. He is a failure, a sad foolish failure. He has been made a failure, not by the attacks of his enemies, but by the more dangerous praise of his friends.” BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TO AND EVALUATE WHAT IS BEING SAID AS YOU EVALUATE YOURSELF. KEEP IT REAL, CONTINUE STRIVING, BE REAL TO YOURSELF. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
JESUS IS STILL WITH US Isaiah 9:6 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Matthew 28:20 ESV Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” John 14:17 ESV Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 1:14 ESV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! LET US CONTINUE TO THANK GOD FOR JESUS EVERYDAY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
All reactions: 8Erlie Javier Dela Cruz, Kate Taylor and 6 others
The Star of Bethlehem Appears Mt. 2:1-10 describes a nature miracle. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea when Herod was king. After Jesus’ birth wise menfrom the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him.” When King Herod and all Jerusalem heard about this, they became disturbed. He called together all the chief priests and the experts in the Scriptures and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this: Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. A leader will come from you. He will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called the wise men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. As he sent them to Bethlehem, he said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you have found him, report to me so that I may go and worship him too.” After they had heard the king, they started out. The star they had seen rising led them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were overwhelmed with joy to see the star. This miracle was performed by God on a star. It benefitted the Magi. OUR GOD STILL PERFORMS MIRACLES TODAY. OUR GOD IS STILL WILLING TO GUIDE OUR LIFE IF WE WILL ALLOW HIM. OUR GOD STILL PROTECTS US SAME AS HE PROTECTED JESUS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS Isaiah 7:14 So the Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel [God Is With Us]. Matthew 1:18–25 The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: “The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus. Mark 6:3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they took offense at him. Luke 1:26–38 Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favorwith God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. But nothing is impossible for God.” Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” Then the angel left her. Galatians 4:4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son ⸤into the world⸥. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses. THANKING GOD FOR JESUS, GLOOORRRY!!! HALLELUJAH!!! CHECK YOURSELF, DO YOU BELIEVE? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
“No Repentance Is Too Late” Matthew 3:2 “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” Mark 1:15 He said, “The time has come, and God’s kingdom is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News.” Luke 24:47 Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem. Acts 2:38 Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. Acts 3:19 So change the way you think and act and turn ⸤to God⸥ to have your sins removed. Acts 17:30 “God overlooked the times when people didn’t know any better. But now he commands everyone everywhere to turn to him and change the way they think and act. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act. To him who still remains in this world no repentance is too late. The approach to God’s mercy is open, and the access is easy to those who seek and apprehend the truth. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO COME TO GOD. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS AND COME TO GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
All reactions: 7Emma Jones, Asiimwe Marry and 5 others
“No One Is Strong in His Own Strength” Deuteronomy 8:17–18 You may say to yourselves, “I became wealthy because of my own ability and strength.” But remember the LORD your God is the one who makes you wealthy. He’s confirming the promise which he swore to your ancestors. It’s still in effect today. Matthew 26:41 Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.” 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong. 1 Corinthians 1:25 God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Since we are hindered by the devil from obeying with our thought and deed God’s will in all things, we pray and ask that God’s will may be done in us. And that it may be done in us we have need of God’s good will, that is, of His help and protection, since no one is strong in his own strength, but he is safe by the grace and mercy of God. WE NEED GOD, THINK ABOUT IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
“I See More and More Sin Every Time I Look” I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isa. 6:5) When many people start to follow Christ, they see a few things in their lives that need to be straightened out—things they have tried to deal with or even things that they’ve resisted admitting were a problem. Once the Spirit of God breaks through, they can finally confess their sins, feel forgiven, and be filled with joy. They then throw themselves into the life of the church, learning, growing, and sharing … but, over time, something unexpected happens. They start to discover areas of weakness or stubbornness that they didn’t know they had. Their Scripture-reading convicts them of something they had thought was okay. They hear their small-group leader or pastor talk about something that they never considered to be a problem. They rub shoulders with people who have walked with Christ for a long time, people who exude real kindness and gentleness and compassion and courage, and they’re embarrassed by their own lack of these qualities. It’s strange—being with God and his people starts to make them feel like they’re becoming worse, not better. Ever felt like that? As weird as that is, it’s normal. As you come closer to holiness, your wickedness becomes more obvious. That’s true not just for you and me, but for all God’s people. When Isaiah—one of God’s greatest prophets—saw God, he immediately concluded that he was so unholy that he had no hope. Seeing God did not produce sin in Isaiah. It showed him the ugliness of what was already there. Despite being a prophet—one who took God’s words on his lips—he confessed that his lips were unclean. But he had previously had no idea of this. Hear this the right way, and it will set you free: you also have no idea. You haven’t begun to see the least part of your problem. And I haven’t, either. I’m still on the front end of seeing my participation in evil for what it is. I now see whole new depths of things in me that are repulsive. Things that God has always been aware of but that I have not. How is that helpful? It’s helpful because the God who has always seen clearly has already crafted a solution that meets all our needs at every level. It’s the altar that stands before him (see Isa. 6:6). More specifically, it’s the sacrifice on the altar. That sacrifice, which anticipates Christ offering himself on the cross, doesn’t merely purify the flawed prophet’s lips but transforms them so that they can proclaim the message of the King (see Isa. 6:6–8). Spend time in that King’s presence, and you’ll see your unrighteousness more clearly. At times you will feel like you are lost. But look beyond yourself to him, and you’ll see his forward-looking grace both anticipating and meeting your need. Yes, mourn your failings; but go beyond them, as well, and celebrate his proactive response to them—a response that lets you stand joyfully in his presence. If God doesn’t expect you to pay for your sin or want you to be crushed by it, why does he show you more of it? Are you moved yet to celebrate his desire to free you from it? The next time your failures threaten to demoralize you, remind yourself that God has already provided in Christ everything that you need to be cleansed from the sin that you now see and from all that you ever will see. ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL TO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
“Faith Starts Prayer to Work” Romans 5:1–5 Now that we have God’s approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in his favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will receive glory from God. But that’s not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We’re not ashamed to have this confidence, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Hebrews 4:16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time. Mark 11:22–25 Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God! I can guarantee this truth: This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done for him. That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours. Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your failures.” Faith starts prayer to work—clears the way to the mercy-seat. It gives assurance, first of all, that there is a mercy-seat, and that there the High Priest awaits the prayers and the pray-ers. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
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