Unit 2 Study 10

                                            August 3, 2014

Study Scriptures for this week's Lesson: Genesis 3:15,21; Isaiah 51:4-11; 55:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 2:4-7; Titus 3:3-7 

Key Verse: Ephesians 2:4-5 God, who is rich in Mercy,...even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) (KJV).

Central Truth: God offers deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ.

Our Focus: To discover and experience the deliverance from sin God has provided through Jesus Christ.

                                            God's Plan of Salvation

Introducing the study

How do people deal with the guilt of sin? Some make excuses or blame someone else. Others fill their lives with possessions to satisfy their need for god, or try to numb the guilt with alcohol or drugs. But there is only one way to deal with sin's guilt: faith in Christ.  Starting right now, pray for opportunities to reach any unsaved person with the gospel. Take time as well to offer praise to God for His marvelous gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. At the end of this study, you will be able to: (1). Understand that the Old Testament foretold God's plan of salvation. (2). Realize that the new covenant is applied to their lives by accepting Christ as Savior. (3). Experience spiritual renewal in their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation Promised

Genesis 3:15 describes the strife that will come between Satan and humanity We experience this as we struggle with sin, temptation, and the effects of the Fall. The singular "he" and "you" also describe the strife between God and Satan. The phrase  "and you will strife his heel" (Genesis 3:15) indicates a non-mortal wound. This refer to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. While Christ's death seemed a tragedy to His disciples, His resurrection proved God's power over sin and death. The description "he will crush your head" indicates a mortal wound. God has already defeated Satan. Satan will eventually meet his eternal destiny--the lake of fire. As we struggle with sin and temptation, we know we can have victory over sin through Christ. God has given us the power we need to live an overcoming life. Isaiah also prophesied of God's salvation. God was punishing His people because of their sin. They wondered when God was going to deliver them from the Babylonians. But Isaiah gave them a message of hope. God's justice (salvation) was "on the way" (Isaiah 51:4-5). God also reminded  the Israelites of His mighty acts throughout their history (verses 9-10). We can have hope today because God provided the way of salvation for all humanity. No one is denied God's offer of salvation.

[For Personal Reflection] How are you allowing God's gift of salvation to help you resist temptation and overcome sin?  

Salvation Foretold

In Isaiah 55:1-2, God used the analogy of food and water to describe the satisfaction only He can bring. People often try to satisfy their emptiness through material possessions, but God's offer of salvation is free.  While verses 1-5 form a clear invitation to come to God, there is a warning in verses 6-7. The time will come when our lives will end and it will be too late to seek the Lord. We must never allow sin to keep us from turning to God and experiencing His mercy and forgiveness. A century later, Jeremiah also wrote of God's plan for salvation. God had given His people a covenant at Sinai--which they had broken time after time. The old covenant had no power to change lives. The time was coming, however, when God would establish a new covenant that did have power to change lives (Jeremiah 31:31-34). In this new covenant God would write His Law in their hearts  and minds. (verse 33). Jesus alone provides the life-transforming salvation and everlasting hope found through this salvation.

[For Personal Reflection] How do you live out this new covenant every day?

Salvation Provided

God's promise of salvation in the Old Testament looks forward to Christ. In Ephesians 2:4-7, we see how God expressed His love for us through Christ, meeting our need for salvation. The words :great love" describe the abundance of God's love. "Rich in mercy" refers to God's compassion for the helpless. God's love for us is immeasurable, and we in no way deserve it. Mercy and love are part of God's nature, not a response to something in us that merits these blessings. As Paul wrote Titus concerning God's grace  and His provision of salvation, he wanted Titus to remind believers what their lives were like before Christ (Titus 3:3). This makes God's grace even more amazing. We have not done anything to deserve it. Yet we are recipients of the mercy and love of God (Titus 3:4-5). The washing and renewal mentioned in verse 6 takes place as the Spirit works in our lives. It refers to a total cleansing and transforming, God's promise for those who call upon Him. Paul again pointed to the benefits of our salvation in verse 7. Being justified means we stand without condemnation before God. We deserved to be punished for our sin, but Jesus took our punishment, delivering us from guilt. Our salvation, so precious today, is not bound by time or corrupted by the forces of this world. We enjoy the assurance of eternal Life in Christ as we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:22).  

[For Personal reflection] "How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to renew your life each day?"

 Discipleship in Action

The doctrine  of salvation is the core doctrine of the Christian faith. It reveals God's love for His creation and His plan to redeem fallen humanity through Jesus Christ. If you know Christ as your Savior, rejoice in what God has done in you. allow the refreshing of the Holy Spirit to renew your life each day. If you have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, pray for God to fill you with His Spirit. If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, do so today. You will experience the washing and rebirth promised to those who turn to God. Pray as well for opportunities to share with others the plan of salvation. help them realize that God loves them no matter their past.
  

                                                          JESUS CHRIST MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!                                                    

Tuesday               Song of Salvation.                          Psalm 98:1-6

Wednesday         Mercy and Redemption of God.   Psalm 130:1-8                                     

Thursday             Salvation Comes to Zacchaeus' House.     Luke 19:1-10                             

Friday                The Samaritan Woman Encounters Jesus.   John 4:19-29                        

Saturday           Jesus Arrests Saul.                  Acts 9:1-5