warm-up

What is your favorite thing in the whole world? Why?

What is one thing from your childhood that you would want to have today? Why?

If you could, would you go back in time to change one event? Tell us about it.

word

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” GENESIS 3:15

(Read also GENESIS 3:11–24.)

God created the world for good, but because of man’s disobedience, God’s original design was distorted. Not only that, the consequences of sin were difficulties in our relationships and in the way we live. The life that God has planned for man is no longer in motion. But God, because of His love for us, did not allow things to stay that way. God sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to redeem man from the consequences of sin and to cleanse us from it. He is the offspring that God spoke about in Eden. Today, we will look at how Jesus redeemed us from our sin and restored our identity and purpose.

1
Jesus redeemed us from the power and curse of sin.

18. . . knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 PETER 1:18,19

To be redeemed means to be bought back, whether as a purchase or a ransom. Because man, through Adam and Eve, fell in sin, we all were no longer under the power and will of God; we no longer belonged to God, but to sin. The price that we have to pay for our sin is death (Romans 3:23). But because Jesus came, lived the sinless life we should have lived, died the death we should have died in our place, and rose again, we were ransomed from the futile ways of sin. Jesus redeemed us and brought us back to a right relationship with God, where we can enjoy eternal life with Him. This means that we no longer have to live a life of sin, but a life that pleases and obeys God. All of this is possible when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. How has your life changed since you received Jesus as Lord and Savior?

2
Jesus restored our identity and purpose.

4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus . . . EPHESIANS 2:4-6

Jesus did not just come to save us from our sins. When we were dead in our sins, He made us alive together with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. Christ’s death and resurrection restored and realigned us to the identity and purpose that God had for us from the very beginning. In Jesus, we are a new creation and our sins are no more (2 Corinthians 5:17). How does knowing what God did for you affirm your identity and purpose in Him? What do you believe is the purpose that God has for you?

application

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Would you like to do so today?

What has God redeemed you from but still feel guilty about?How can you grow in your appreciation and understanding of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us today?

What is the gospel? Who among your family and friends you know needs to hear the gospel and the redemption and restoration that God has to offer this week?

prayer

Thank God for sending Jesus Christ as the sacrifice that redeemed us from our sin and its consequences, and for being the example of living a life that pleases God.

Ask God to show you areas in your life where you need to live out the redemption and restoration that Christ won for you on the cross. Ask God for the grace to no longer live in sin, but to live in a way that honors God.

Pray that as you live a life that is free from sin, this will inspire others around you to respond to the gospel.

© 2018 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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