♪ theme music ♪ (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, an in-depth, interactive study of the Word of God. I am enjoying this series,<i>
Lessons for Life.</i> It's an education from the Word of God, and today we're talking about <i>Learning about Redemption,</i> learning about salvation, learning about what God wants to do for us and in us so that we can be with Him forever in His eternal kingdom. A really important study, and we're glad you joined us today, and welcome to our team. And you'll notice we're still the remnant, here, the small Gideon's band, because of the health pandemic, but, you know, we've seen in the series that God has blessed with many or with few, right? But we're glad that <i>you're</i> here with us, and you can be in your home. You don't have to wear your mask in your home. And we're just glad that even in these difficult times, that God is reaching hearts. And what a great topic today, <i>Learning about Redemption,</i> because it could make a difference for eternity for you and those you love. Here are some emails from some of our Hope Sabbath School members
around the world. Kepha writes to us from Kenya. In fact, he sent a picture, Kepha and his wife Ann sent a picture from Kenya, and they said, "I appreciate you and the team for the wonderful ministry of Hope Sabbath School. I've been a consistent member of Hope Sabbath School for many years, and I use your outline and the comments from your discussion to prepare for my Bible study class every Sabbath," isn't that awesome? (Team) Yes. (Derek) "The Lord is indeed faithful. He has enabled you to bring so many people to Christ through interactive Bible study,"
and we say...? (Team) Amen. (Derek) Or Hallelujah, right? "I look forward to meeting you and perhaps worshiping with you, either here or in the New Jerusalem. May God bless you and the team." Well, Kepha, thanks for writing to us, and your dear wife Ann, from Kenya. We're glad you're not only part of our Hope Sabbath School family but you're part of the mission, taking that outline and teaching
a class yourself. Here's a note from Clement in Darwin. Okay, come on now, geography lesson. Shaina, do you know where Darwin is? (Shaina) Maybe in South America? (Derek) No, it's not; although there could be many Darwins, excuse me. Jason? (Jason) It's in Austraila. (Derek) Yes, it's way up in the Northern Territory of Australia, isn't it? And Clement writes and says, "We watch Hope Sabbath School with our favorite spiritual class
every week. May the Lord continue to bless you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and give you more wisdom in..." And, by the way, he lists, Clement lists a group of names here, including Simiso, so Simiso, give Clement a wave. Isn't that amazing? You know, Darwin is a very hot place. It's kind of a tough climate, isn't it? But they're watching Hope Sabbath School, and we're glad they're part of our family, "...in God's grace; we will see you in Heaven. We will praise the Lord, night and day, together." I can just imagine being with you, Clement. Thanks for writing to us, and bless your family there in Darwin, Australia. Here's a note from a donor in the Cayman Islands, a beautiful part of the world. "I enjoy watching you on Hope TV. I'm impressed with the fact that each of you is willing to take part and to share your insights." It's in-depth and...? (Team) Interactive. (Derek) "Your understanding and reading is done in such a manner that anyone who's listening can understand; it's a real blessing. I'm sending a gift of 120 dollars U.S. and trust it will help with your ministry. May God bless each one of you." Well, Donor, in the Cayman Islands, we'd all like to come and visit your personally and thank you because that's a beautiful part
of the world. But thanks to all of our donors, especially when you partner with us, you can have the joy of hearing emails, from around the world, that God is blessing. You can go to hopetv.org/donate and send a gift; and we're so thankful for what you do. Here's a note from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, that's original home country,
Simiso, right? Well, I should have asked you how to pronounce Mlungisi, Mlungisi. (Simiso) Mlungisi. Mlungisi. (Derek) Mlungisi, thank you. Mlungisi said, "Hallelujah, someone knew how to say my name." Writing from Zimbabwe, "Many thanks for Hope Sabbath School. As a family, we always look forward to the next episode. God bless. Greetings to Simiso and the whole team," give him a wave. Alright. "We continue to pray for your ministry, Mlungisi." Thank you so much for helping with that pronunciation. One last note from Paulette, thanks for writing, Paulette,
from Jamaica. Paulette writes and says, "Hello to Hope Sabbath School team." (Team) Hello. (Derek) "Greetings from Jamaica. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and I watch your Sabbath School every week. And I am learning more and more about the Word of God. I am asking you to pray for me as I go through some health challenges. I feel the enemy is attacking me because I love the Lord and His goodness toward me. But I will put God in front of my battles, and that's all that really matters,"
and we say...? (Team) Hallelujah. (Derek) Amen. "Keep spreading the gospel through Hope Sabbath School because the Lord could come anytime for His people, and He is fighting for us," Amen? (Team) Amen. (Derek) Well, Paulette, thanks for writing to us from the beautiful island
of Jamaica. And we're just so excited to hear from you; you can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org. We would love to hear how God is blessing you through an in-depth study of His Word. Right now, though, we have a song to sing. We can't sing it here because of the pandemic restrictions, but we'd like you to sing, and we'll be listening. "Listen to counsel, receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days," let's sing together. ♪ music ♪ (Derek) Let's pray together. Father in Heaven, thank You so much that You give us counsel through Your Word that we can find an education <i>in</i> the Word of God. Today, as we learn about redemption, about salvation, may the Holy Spirit give us insight and understanding. But more than that, may we be willing to make life-changing decisions that will affect not only our lives but the lives of those around us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. (Team) Amen. (Derek) Well, I'm excited about our study today because I sense there's someone watching Hope Sabbath School today, Sabina, who's going to say, "Jesus, would You save me?" because the plan of salvation is not just a doctrine, it's a rescue plan for all of us, right? So, let's start, Sabina, if you could start our study in Genesis, chapter 1, verses 26 and 27. We'll talk about God's desire
for His creation, particularly for the human family. (Sabina) Yes, so I'll be reading from the New International Version, that's Genesis 1, verses 26 and 27: (Derek) Now, there's something
interesting there. Apparently male and female is the image of God, right? I always thought it was just Adam, but, no, it's the human family. What does that mean to you, Kim? I don't know that there's a complete answer that any
of us might have, but that God created our first parents, and through them created us in His image. (Kim) I think it means, when you look at the physical, the spiritual nature of Adam and Eve, it was similar to God's, and they're able to commune together in the Garden without sin
being a restriction. (Derek) Okay, so there's... What would you call it? A similarity or...Simiso? (Simiso) I think we're a representation
of the Godhead, so the closeness, the oneness that they have, that's the oneness God would like us to exemplify. (Derek) Now, we know we're not God, right? We're just a faint reflection, but it is real, created in God's image. Jason, you want to add to that? (Jason) So, God created beings, people, angels, because He wanted to have a relationship. And in the same way, we are created in His image because we are created to have relationship with each other as well. (Derek) I'm thinking, later that Jesus will say, "Two great commands, love God and love each other." I think that it is all about relationship, that it's not just about what we look like but about the essence of who we are, right? Shaina? (Shaina) As Kim was saying, God is a God; He has emotions; He wants to connect with us in the emotional and the spiritual realm. And so, we reflect His image; we have emotions, and, yeah. (Derek) He also gave us the ability to do something that is also reflecting God's nature, and that is...? (Team) Creating. (Derek) To recreate or to procreate,
right? He could have just said, "Let there be a populated Earth," kaboom! Right? But He creates our first parents and says to them, "Be fruitful and..."? (Team) Multiply. (Derek) So they are joining with Him in this mystery of creating life. He gave that capacity, which of course Satan has tried to abuse in a lot of unfortunate ways. But the beauty of joining the Creator in His creative work is something that I think...anyone who holds a newborn baby and says, "How can this be? God is good," the miracle. Let's go to Genesis, chapter 5. It's actually a genealogy, but there's some insight there that I think is helpful. Simiso, if you could read verse 1, and then read verse 3. (Simiso) Genesis 5, verse 1, reading from the New King James Version, says: (Derek) So, that ties in with what we heard in Genesis 1, right? But now go down to verse 3 of Genesis 5. (Simiso) Verse 3 says: (Derek) Now, if we read the chapters in between, there are two other sons, right? Their names were...? (Derek, Team) Cain and Abel. (Derek) And that's a tragic story of how one older son kills his younger brother, Abel, and then is banished. We're not going to look at all of that story today, but now this is the third child, Seth. What do you notice in verse 3 that catches your attention? Jason? (Jason) It says in verse 3 that Adam's son Seth here is created, sort of, or made in his own likeness, in his own image, so it describes it as being made more in Adam's image. It could almost sound like "as opposed to God's image," not necessarily, but it could sound like that. (Derek) Of course, that's genetics, right? I mean, if you have a baby and say, "Oh, she looks like mama," you know? Or, "He looks like papa," so that's normal, but it's interesting how that wording is. Sabina, what do you think? Do you think there's the implication that something has been lost? (Sabina) Maybe, Maybe, I can agree
with Jason. I think that it's not fully clear, but we know that something happened in the previous chapter that could have led to a change even in how this genetic transition was happening from that moment on, so I imagine that maybe God here was trying to communicate that no longer they were looking in the fullness of God's image any longer. (Derek) But, the good news is that we can still reflect the image of God, right? (Team) Yes. (Derek) Even if it's faintly. Simiso. (Simiso) I think it's also a challenge to parenting, right, to reflect God's image. And then, as your kids reflect your image, you're getting the image of God. (Derek) So, that would suggest that it's a journey. It's a journey; it's a process. Let's go now to Genesis, chapter 6, verses 1 to 5. Now, someone may be watching and saying, "Book of Genesis,
who wrote that?" Do we know who wrote the book of Genesis? (Team) Moses. (Derek) Moses, that's right, the Pentateuch, the first five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, Deuteronomy. So, Moses was a prophet as well as a leader of God's people. And under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, because he wasn't there at creation, but he's given revelation, and he records it for us. What does he say in chapter 6? Kim, could you read for us chapter 6 of Genesis, the first five verses, because as Sabina mentioned, and the answer is found in chapter 3 with sin coming into the world, there's...what would we call it...
a degeneration? (Team) Yes. (Derek) But it gets much worse. Let's look at chapter 6, verses 1 to 5. (Kim) I'll be reading from the English Standard Version: (Derek) How did it get that... what would we say...degraded,
depraved so quickly that there's this description, that the thoughts and intents of people were evil continually? Sabina? (Sabina) I understand that at the moment that they sinned and then God had to let them go from the Garden, the connection that they had and the closeness and proximity that they had with the Lord was disrupted. So, we know that as we contemplate God, as we surrender to Him, as we behold Him, we become like Him, right? But at this moment, they were being put apart from God, so I believe that quickly, generation after generation, they were losing that imprint of this closer connection that Adam and Eve once had with the Lord. So, I believe that's part of the response. (Derek) I remember someone came to my office who had got into internet pornography and ended up doing some really bad things. I mean, that's bad already, but he said to me, "I never thought I would do those things." It was frightening how quickly, when we take our eyes off of God, we can fall, right? Jason? (Jason) And you see here, one key thing I think is that the daughters of men or even the "sons of God," you know, the children of Adam, they're making choices for themselves. They're going after their own
selfish nature, so while God is maybe not able to be as close, the children of Adam still had choices. They could have still stayed in connection with God, but they made choices to do what they wanted, whether it was with marriage or with, you know, how they built cities, a lot of choices they made that allowed the nature to be degenerated further. (Derek) Now, someone's going to say, "I'm feeling depressed; I don't want to listen anymore." But in the middle of this rapid decline, there are men and women who choose to honor God. Let's look at a few of them, and then we'll talk. They needed redemption, too, right? They were sinners, too. They were in the likeness
of their parents, and so there is this fall from grace. But they were choosing to align themselves with God. Shaina, could you read for us in Genesis, chapter 5, it's in the middle of a genealogy or a family tree, but read verses 21 through 24 of Genesis 5. (Shaina) I'll be reading from the King James Version: (Derek) So, you know the story, right? He's walking with God - literally? In the Garden, Adam walked with God, Eve walked with God. What does that mean now, that he walked with God? Simiso? (Simiso) It just shows the proximity with respect to their relationship. (Derek) Back to the word
relationship, right? (Simiso) They were so in sync. I think about marching when we're in Pathfinders, or you think about an army marching, the discipline they have, that they are in sync. They all raise their left leg at the same time, the right leg at the same time. Just being in one accord with the Lord. They had that close communion. Even if I was walking with my friend, I would be talking to him or, you know, that kind of relationship that he had with God. (Derek) Beautiful, that relationship is as tight or as close as if God was right there like He was in the Garden. Sabina? (Sabina) Also, piggybacking on what Jason was saying, I also think this means that he was probably obeying God, responding to God's commandments. He was choosing according to God's will. I think that's also probably what it means to say that he was walking with God. (Derek) And what does it mean, "He was not, for God took him"? There are a couple of examples in Scripture where God chooses to take people up to Heaven. One in a fiery chariot; his name was... (Derek, Team) Elijah. (Derek) We don't know how Enoch was taken up, but he's taken up because of that close relationship. Imagine that, that God would say, "I have such a close relationship
with my daughter; I'm going to take her up early,"
isn't that amazing? That's the relationship that God longs to have with each one of us. Well, there's Enoch. Let's look in Genesis 7 and verse 1. Genesis 7, Jason, if you have that, would read verse 1 for us? (Jason) Sure, I'm reading here from the New King James Version, Genesis, chapter 7, verse 1: (Derek) So, there were some people who said, "I want that intimate relationship with my Creator like we're walking together." And was Noah perfect? (Team) No. (Derek) I think there are a few examples there that would suggest he's not perfect, but he's perfectly surrendered in that relationship with God. So, let's see what we can learn about the plan of redemption or the plan of salvation. from the story of Noah. In Genesis, chapter 6, verses 13 and 14, Genesis 6, Sabina, if you have that, verses 13 and 14. (Sabina) Okay, so I'll be reading from the New International Version, Genesis, chapter 6, verses 13 and 14: (Derek) So, this is a big boat. By the way, the size is in the next few verses, but let's go over to chapter 7 of Genesis, verses 1 to 7. Kim, if you could read that for us. And let's see, he preaches his heart out. That's a colloquial expression. He preaches with Holy Spirit conviction
and enthusiasm for how many years? (Team) 120. (Derek) 120 years, sharing the plan of redemption or salvation. Well, let's see what happens, Genesis 7, verses 1 to 7. (Kim) I'll be reading from the English Standard Version: (Derek) Jason, I've been thinking
about that story. You share with passion, Holy Spirit anointing for 120 years, and how many people get into the boat? (Jason) Only about, what,
eight people here? (Derek) Eight people get into the boat. What lesson can we learn - maybe there are some good lessons we can learn? You talked about mentoring
your children, right? Maybe there are some good lessons, but there are also some painful lessons we could learn from the story of Noah. (Jason) So, one of the painful lessons is that God, because of free will, He allows all of us to make our own choices. Even if someone labors and preaches for 120 years, because of free will, people are free to choose not to accept that salvation, not to respond to the call of redemption. (Derek) Now, the good news is, someone reminded me of this, there were godly men and women who died before the flood came. You think of people like Methuselah and others, right, and their families, so it's not like no one else was following God besides those eight. But at the time of this cataclysm of this world flood... (Shaina) There were only a few. (Derek) Shaina, what do you think Noah, how do you think he felt as he looked around once the door closed and saw this huge... What does it call it in the New Testament? Like an ark of safety, it was like a symbol of God's plan of salvation, and so few people got inside. (Shaina) I mean, I would be in a state of despair, like, "Man, I've been preaching for all this time, and it's
only my family?" It must have been quite disappointing
or despairing. I'm sure he had a heart wanting to save the people, because for 120 years to be preaching, like, you have to have a passion for it, and it must have been disappointing. (Derek) But the good news is that his family
got into the boat, right? (Team) Yes. (Derek) So something happening there, that mentoring that you were talking about, Simiso, that Noah's passion was that his own family would reflect the image of God. (Simiso) You mentioned something when you said Noah was not perfect, but he was perfectly surrendered. It reminded me of a statement my pastor always used to say. He said, "It's only in the Christian vernacular that the word surrender denotes victory." (Derek) Wow. (Simiso) We are saved by surrendering
to God. (Derek) So, in the non-Christian
vocabulary, surrender means you lost. But in a Christian vocabulary, when we surrender to God, we win, right? And part of that surrender in Noah's day was to...? Get into the boat, even though many people were mocking and saying, "That's a ridiculous idea." So, if we just learned lessons about the plan of salvation, God said, "Build a big boat. Build a big boat." We'll find later, is it in Peter, he says that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," 2 Peter 3, verse 9? "Build a big boat." What else do we learn about the plan of salvation just from Noah's experience? Yes, Sabina? (Sabina) That there is hope. That even though it says this was a very perverted generation, that God Himself had His heart so broken that He wanted to give someone a chance. Whoever had...you know, 120 years is a long time. So, He not only said once, He said twice, He used Noah not only to speak but also to do something concrete for them to see what is going to happen. So, I really think that this is also a message of hope, that no matter what, God is going to keep seeking and trying to find the ones who are righteous in His eyes, who are willing to surrender, and that He will not simply give up on us that easily, you know? (Derek) I'm thinking of a verse
that we read. It says, "Noah did according to all the Lord commanded him." Now, that's not some kind of slave master; that's a relationship where the Lord says, "We're going to go this way." And Noah says, "I'm right with You." (Jason) "I'm walking with You." (Derek) "I'm walking with You," right. "I'm walking with You." And that is loving obedience, right? Well, we could stay with Noah, but we want to go on to another great example of the plan of redemption. A man named Abram, later called Abraham, we'll pick up his story. Jason, if you could read in Genesis 12, verses 1 to 4. (Jason) I've got the New King James
Version here, Genesis, chapter 12, verses 1
through 4, says this: (Derek) What were the challenges that this 75-year-old man of influence in Ur (he was a wealthy man), what were the challenges that he faced as he obeyed God's call and left Ur? Kim? (Kim) As Jason just read, God told him to go to a land that God would show Abram, so Abram didn't know exactly where to go. (Derek) So, his friends are saying, "Where are you heading, Abram?" And he's like...What would the right answer be? (Shaina) Wherever the Lord leads. (Derek) Wherever the Lord leads,
Shaina, that's it. Isn't that it for us? I mean, isn't that..."Where are
you heading?" (Simiso) Wherever the Lord leads. (Derek) Wherever the Lords leads. There's this idea of surrender,
of obedience, not so God would love us but because we're in a loving relationship
with Him. (Sabina) Of trust. (Derek) Of trusting Him, right. So, you know the story. I want you to keep your place in Genesis; we'll come back there, but look in Hebrews 11 and verse 8 in the New Testament. What motivated Abram to do what God asked him to do? Let's take a look; do you
have that, Simiso? Hebrews 11 and verse 8. By the way, there are some wonderful insights about Abram, later called Abraham, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. (Simiso) Hebrews 11, verse 8, reading from the New King James Version; it says: (Derek) "Where are you going, Abram?" "Well, wherever the Lord leads," right? But what was the key word at the beginning of the verse? (Derek, Team) By "faith." (Derek) And that faith is based on...? Help me with the word. (Derek, Team) A relationship. (Derek) That's right, with God. God loves me, and He has my best good at heart. In fact, He's got a plan to save me forever and to be with Him forever. And so, I'm going to follow
wherever He leads. Well, it gets challenging, and I'm going to ask Shaina if you'd read in Genesis 22. Perhaps one of the best known stories in the life of, now, Abraham, because he has a son named Isaac, a test that he has, which is not so much just about him but telling us about God's plan of redemption or salvation. Let's pick up the story in verse 1 of Genesis 22. (Shaina) I'll be reading from the King James Version: (Derek) Isn't that amazing? (Team) Yes. (Derek) "The Lord," my translation says, "The Lord will provide." Where do you see faith at work, that God has a plan in this story? Several places. Anybody? (Sabina) I think that the first place where we see faith here is the very fact that God didn't tell Abraham from the beginning that He was going to provide, you know, in the mountain. He simply told Abraham, "Go and do that. We're going to sacrifice your son." And it looks like Abraham didn't even hesitate; he simply took the son and a few people with them,
and they went. (Derek) Back to what Shaina said earlier, though, Abraham is trusting the relationship, right? It's like, "I know God is a God of love." By the way, Hebrews, we won't read it, but Hebrews 11 says he believed that God would raise his son from the dead. So, he's trusting that God is a God of life, right? But there's that surrender, Simiso, that you talked about. Shaina. (Shaina) From verse 2, it said he didn't even know where he was going to be going to the sacrifice because it said "for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of." So, he doesn't even know where he's going. And then later on it says on the third day he looked up and realized that this is the place that God wanted him to go... (Derek) It sounds a lot like Abram, doesn't it? "Where are you going?" "Wherever the Lord leads." "What's going to happen up there?" "Whatever the Lord wills," right? Any other insights of faith in that story? And we've got to move on to some other prophecies about redemption. Jason. (Jason) I think you also have faith with Isaac, his son, in responding. And this also shows that Abraham, talking about passing the relationship
and likeness down, he's raised Isaac to trust and have faith in God as well. (Derek) Back to that mentoring
and passing on. "Son, my prayer for you..." "Daughter, my prayer for you, is that you would reflect the image of God," which is love, right? Loving God with all our hearts,
that relationship, and loving each other. And he certainly shows that in his relationship with his father,
doesn't he? Sabina. (Sabina) And I also can only imagine how Abraham felt when his son asked where was the animal. He responded to him with faith and said, "God will provide. We are going to see something happen." But imagine if nothing happened, you know? (Derek) So, here's this amazing prophecy, and we're going to look at just a few others. Time is passing so quickly. But that is what we want to remember today: God, how are you going to save me? And the answer is, the Lord will provide, right? You surrender your life to God. He has a plan of redemption, and He will provide. Let's look at how the prophet Isaiah speaks about that provision in Isaiah 9, verses 6 and 7. Isaiah, chapter 9, Jason, do you have that, verses 6 and 7. This is one that was so powerful that Handel the composer put it to music, but let's see what it says. (Jason) I'm reading here from the New King James Version, Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 6 and 7: (Derek) Now the prophet Isaiah, he's called the gospel prophet because he says so much about God's plan of salvation. Look in Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 and 2; Shaina, if you could read that for us. (Shaina) And I'll be reading from the King James Version: (Derek) And then go to Isaiah 61,
verses 1 to 3. This is actually a passage that Jesus Himself quotes - Simiso, if you could read it - when He's in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. (Simiso) Isaiah 61:1-3, reading from the New King James Version; it says: (Derek) That sounds like good news. These are all what we would call Messianic prophecies, prophecies about the Messiah
who is to come. But the one most profound prophecy is in Isaiah 53, and we are not going to take time to read that whole chapter, but tell me, someone, maybe I want you to write it down: Isaiah 53, read it today as part of your study. What was it in the revelation of Isaiah 53 that challenged the common idea
about Messiah? What was God's plan for redemption? Jason? (Jason) So, if you look at the other chapters we've referenced, you hear about how the Messiah will have power, and He'll be a great King, which is all true. But when you read Isaiah 53, which is also Messianic prophecy, it talks about how He's going to be a Man of sorrows. He's going to have grief. He's going to be beaten and rejected. He's going to...It even prophesies basically how He's going to be killed, essentially, here. (Derek) Maybe I should have you read at least verse 6 of Isaiah 53 because I think we need to hear this prophecy about Messiah, God's plan of redemption. (Jason) Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 6, New King James Version: (Derek) What did Abraham say
on the mountain? (Sabina) "God will provide." (Derek) "God will provide," and God is going to provide through a Messiah who's not a conquering military general
but through... (Simiso) His sacrifice. (Derek) A sacrifice, a humble Servant who will be bruised for our iniquities, right? "The chastisement that brought us peace
was upon Him." "By His wounds we are healed." So, throughout the Scripture we're seeing the plan revealed. God's wanting to restore us fully to His image. He wants that relationship that Shaina talked about at the beginning to be closer and closer until we walk with Him into eternity, right? (Team) Amen. (Derek) Enter the incarnation,
Jesus is born, and what does the angel say in Matthew, chapter 1, verses 20 and 21? This is where the plan of salvation is about to be worked out. Kim, what do you read in Matthew 1:20-21? (Kim) I'll be reading from the English Standard Version: (Derek) The word "Jesus" means? It's something to do with saving us from our sins. It means, "The Lord saves," right?
The Lord saves. How's God going to do this? Answer: The Lord saves. You know, some people have arguments about exactly how the plan
of salvation works. Could we just agree that the Lord saves? (Team) Yes. (Derek) We don't save ourselves. Well, that's an angel speaking in a vision, but in Luke, chapter 2, the angels are speaking out loud. In Luke 2, verses 8 through 11, and, Sabina, would you read that beautiful testimony of the angels? (Sabina) Sure, I'll be reading from the New International Version,
and it says: (Derek) A Savior is born. Messiah is the Savior. Messiah, Jesus, <i>is</i> God's plan
of redemption. He is the plan; He is the One that Abraham said, "The Lord will provide"; "The Lord will provide." Where do you find Jesus most clearly describing in a very short conversation God's plan of salvation? Anybody? Oh, you say, "There are lots
of places." Jason? (Jason) In His conversation with Nicodemus in John, chapter 3. (Derek) Would you read verses 14 through 17? This is powerful Now, Nicodemus was a godly man. He wanted to hear. He wanted that relationship
with God, right? He wanted to walk with God. And it was to Nicodemus, having told him, "You need to be born again," that He gave this amazing revelation. (Jason) I've got the New King James
Version here, John, chapter 3, verses 14 through 17: (Derek) Look to Jesus. Remember the story in the wilderness with that bronze serpent, being attacked, the symbol of being attacked by sin. Look to God's provision. "How's God going to do this?"
some might ask. Say, "I don't know, but I'm going to walk with His plan. I'm going to look to God's plan." In fact, that's what
the New Testament apostles proclaim, "Go with God's plan for salvation, for redemption." That's a beautiful passage in Romans, chapter 10, verses 9 through 13. Simiso, if you can find Romans 10... There are lots of places, the Day of Pentecost talks about repent, you know, and be baptized for the washing away of your sins. But how does water wash away sins? Answer: Because we're trusting in Jesus, our Savior. We're baptized in the name of Jesus. But let's see what Paul says to the Romans in Romans 10, verses 9 to 13. (Simiso) Romans 10, verses 9 to 13, and I'm reading from the New
King James Version, Romans 10, verses 9 to 13: (Derek) Someone should say, "Amen." That's really good news, right? That's very simple; keep going. (Simiso) Verse 10 says: Verse 11: Verse 12: (Derek) And then verse 13. (Simiso) Verse 13, finally: (Derek) Amen. "Jesus, save me!"
"Jesus, save me." Or the thief on the cross, "Lord, remember me." What do all of these passages have in common about God's plan
of salvation? What do you learn? What do they all have in common, Sabina? (Sabina) That it's for everyone,
whoever comes to God. (Derek) Whoever comes, alright. What else do you learn? Shaina. (Shaina) It's simple, like, there's
not much we have to do. (Derek) What do you think? Why do people try to make it
so complicated? I mean, it's profound, right;
it's not superficial. Simiso, why do they make it so complicated? (Simiso) For some people, it's lack of belief. They think in the finite way; they can only do something
so incredible using a very complicated technique. But God says, "Just accept Me." (Derek) "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Shaina? (Shaina) People could also make it complicated because of the way that we relate to other human beings. So, if you give me something,
a large gift, I'm like, "Oh, man, what do I have to do to pay you back? Whereas God is like, "No, you don't have to do anything; it's free." (Derek) I thought of the text, and then I'll come to you, Sabina, "By grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves," Ephesians 2, verse 8; "it is the gift of God," so it's not like, "What do I...?" Now, there will be a loving response, right? There will be a desire to walk with Him, but the plan is simple: Call upon Jesus to save you. Sabina. (Sabina) I was just going to say that it sounds too good to be true, so maybe people try to find ways to justify. But it's just that smple. (Derek) So, who helped you? Who has helped you to get past all of the noise and all of the false teaching about how to be saved? Some people beat themselves. Other people think they can pay money to a church to be saved. Who helped you to get past all of that and just see the beautiful plan of salvation, which is trusting in God's provision, Jesus the Messiah. Simiso, who helped you? (Simiso) I would say initially
it was my parents, but it really took a village to really reinforce that. (Derek) So, you had parents
who loved Jesus, but you're saying a village. You mean, like, there were
lots of people? (Simiso) Lots of people throughout my journey in life, even as an adult after doing
something wrong, just really believing in Christ's ability to save and redeem you. One pastor recently just illustrated
this to me. He was talking about how back in the Old Testament they bought a lamb without blemish. And the priest would inspect the lamb to make sure it was without blemish. He would not inspect the person bringing the gift, but he would inspect the lamb. And we have Christ, the lamb slain from the foundation of Earth
without blemish. We know our sacrifice is sure. (Derek) That's a beautiful illustration. I've never head it that way. The priest didn't inspect the person but inspected the lamb. So, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." We're hearing it's a journey. Someone else, we've got 30 seconds. Who helped you, Jason, to understand the plan of salvation more fully? (Jason) So, there have been a lot of people in my life including my parents, but one I remember specifically was actually at a Christian summer camp. I was maybe about 10 years old,
11 years old, and so the leaders of the Christian summer camp, they shared with us about Jesus' love, and they did it in a way that a 10-year-old could understand. And that really changed my life. (Derek) I'm thinking, you probably have a testimony, too. Who helped you to understand
the simple plan? For my father, when he was 11 years old, it was a Sunday School teacher at Bedminster Tabernacle, a little Baptist chapel in Bristol, who told him that God loved him and had a plan to save him. I'd love to hear your testimony of how you came to understand that beautiful, simple yet profound plan
of salvation. Write to us at sshope@hopetv.org. But more than that, if someone's watching, if you're watching today, and you say, "Derek, I've never asked Jesus to save me. I've never called upon His name," would you do it today, even as we pray? Let's pray together; our Father in Heaven, the plan is profound and yet so simple. God will provide through the Messiah Jesus who bore our sins, look to Him and live. I pray today, those of us who have never done that would say, "Jesus, save me," those who have would say, "Thank You, Jesus, that You're my Savior." In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (Team) Amen. (Derek) Well, I'm happy about the study today! God's good plan of salvation. You don't have to beat yourself. You don't have to pay somebody. Call upon the name of the Lord, Just say, "Jesus, will You save me?" And then go out and share that good news with those around you. ♪ theme music ♪
