240417 BITES: Q25 How does the Holy Spirit apply Christ's redemption to us?

Q25 How does the Holy Spirit apply Christ's redemption to us? A25 God’s Holy Spirit applies Christ’s redemption to us by creating faith in us and unifying us with Him (Eph 2:8)

Attention grabbing introduction: (LET THEM THINK AND RESPOND)

What does the phrase, “Money can’t buy everything” mean? WAIT ON RESPONSES

Did you know that there are some things you simply cannot buy. Money cannot buy healing for a terminally ill family member. Money cannot buy someone’s love or affection or forgiveness. Money cannot buy everything.

Can you think of some things that money cannot buy? LIMIT TO TWO OR THREE EXAMPLES

What about salvation? Can we buy salvation? No?!? Some people think that they can - did you know that?

What do people do to buy salvation? LIMIT TO TWO OR THREE EXAMPLES

Did you know what the Mayor of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg, once said, he said: "I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I'm not stopping to be interviewed," he said. "I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It's not even close." - He said this because of his giving - he thought he bought his salvation. What do you think about that?

Can we buy salvation? No, it can only be received as a gift. This gift is given by God through His Holy Spirit. It can only be purchased by One who can afford it and the only One that can afford salvation is Jesus Christ the Son of God. He gives it as a gift to whomever He wishes (John 5:21). He wishes to give it to those who believe in Him - but how does that work, let’s talk about it...

Question/Answer

So here is tonight’s question: Q25 How does the Holy Spirit apply Christ's redemption to us? A25 God’s Holy Spirit applies Christ’s redemption to us by creating faith in us and unifying us with Him

Ephesians 2:8“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

THEY SHOULD BE WONDERING HOW THEY CAN AFFORD THIS GIFT THEN AND BEGIN TO REALIZE THAT THIS GIFT CANNOT BE BOUGHT IT MUST BE RECEIVED.

Breakdown of Terms from Catechism Question:

Apply - to put to use or effect. Example: Apply pressure to a wound to stop bleeding

Redemption - The act of buying back or rescuing something or someone that was lost or enslaved.

Ask if anyone has questions

Broader Context:

Death is a former state: Ephesians 2:1–3“And you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

Redemption is initiated by God: Ephesians 2:4–7“But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Redemption applied by God: Ephesians 2:8–9“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.”

The Why: Ephesians 2:10“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Ask if anyone has questions

Questions:

So why does this matter at all?

The Holy Spirit is like the wind which cannot be seen but its effects on the trees and clouds can. When the Holy Spirit acts on us we know it.

When He changes someone to believe Him there is visible evidence in the form of changed actions and motives - we begin to live for Christ

John 3:7–8 ““Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.””

1 Corinthians 10:31“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

What does it look like when the Holy Spirit creates faith in us?

It looks like acting on what God’s Word says

Luke 8:21“But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”” - so do it

Luke 11:28 “But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” - so hear it and keep it

John 6:29“Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.””

What does it look like when the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ.

It looks like being a partaker with God and sharers with Him in all things

2 Peter 1:4“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

1 Corinthians 3:23“and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”

Colossians 3:1–2“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Good works that are pleasing to God are a result not a condition of salvation.

Good works as a condition: If we could buy our own redemption from slavery with good works then God would never have needed to send His Son to pay for our sin.

Good works as a result: The result of our salvation is living for God and acting on what He commands.

Ephesians 2:10“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

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WSC Question 30 How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, () and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

(Ephesians 1:13–14 “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” John 6:37–39 ““All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” Ephesians 2:8“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

Ephesians 3:17“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly rooted and grounded in love,” 1 Corinthians 1:9“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

SPG 29. Q. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and by it uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

Ephesians 2:8“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

Ephesians 3:17“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly rooted and grounded in love,”

WLC Question 59 Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; () who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel. ()

Ephesians 1:13–14 “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” , John 6:37 ““All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.” , John 6:39 ““Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” John 10:15–16 “even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. “And I have other sheep, which are not from this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.”

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;” , 2 Corinthians 4:13 “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,”

Mark Draft: Q25: How does the Holy Spirit apply Christ’s redemption to us?

A25 God’s Holy Spirit applies Christ’s redemption to us by creating faith in us and unifying us with Him

Ephesians 2:8“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

Have you ever wanted something so bad, maybe it is something that you could never afford, that you actually dreamed about it and in your dream you got it? What was that like? ASK FOR 2 OR 3 EXAMPLES

But what happened when you woke up? Did you have that thing you dreamed about? No! When you woke up you didn’t have it - and all that joy that you had popped like a balloon. Wasn’t that frustrating, saddening! Didn’t it make you angry? You probably understood that unless you worked really hard for this thing or were given it you would never get it. But some things you cannot work hard enough for… they can only be given.

Some things can only be given as a gift - suppose we were really sick, only God could heal us.