The Gift of Redemption

Sermon Discussion Questions: November 30, 2025 The Five Gifts of Christmas: The Gift of Redemption Questions marked with a P are primary to the sermon. If you are not planning on answering all the questions, answer these first. Advent Candle Lighting: Isaiah 9:2-7 – Hope Sunday 1. P How did Jesus fulfill the titles in Isaiah 9:6? Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Sermon: Romans 3:21-26, 5:1-2 I. The Necessity of the Gift: Our Universal Bankruptcy – Romans 3:21-23 2. Most would agree that a wealthy person has a different experience with a criminal justice system than does a poor person. How do verses 21 through 23 make it clear the God's administration of justice is not "two-tiered"? 3. Both Pauls (Pastor and the Apostle) are adamant that the law does not save us. Why then inflict upon ourselves all the distress that obedience entails? 4. P If we break only one of the 10 commandments, (say tell a lie), we are still at 90% -- should be good for at least an A minus. Also, telling the truth is the ninth command in a list of 10. Surely that's God's way of telling us it's not too big of a deal. State whether you agree or disagree with the above reasoning, and support your stand scripturally. 5. P List three ways that Christmas can be more than a "Hallmark holiday" (A sentimental exercise bereft authentic spirituality.) 6. What is the benefit of someone understanding that she/he is apart from Christ? II. The Cost of the Gift: Christ’s Precious Blood – Romans 3:24-25 7. Christ's sacrificial death is sometimes described as a "ransom" -- A payment made to recover someone who was kidnapped. How does an unsaved person's situation differ from a kidnapped person’s? 8. P Define "propitiation" as it applies to a Christian's salvation. 9. If you agree with Pastor Paul that the Old Testament (bulls, birds, lambs, grain) sacrifices did not atone for sin, what was their value? 10. P "Redeem" is usually meant one of two ways: 1. Paying a price to purchase someone out of slavery. 2. Bringing value or good out of something that was wasted, or had been evil. Eg. "He redeemed himself by returning the stolen money." Explain how both definitions of "redeem" apply to our salvation. 11. P Per 1 Peter 1:18-19, What is the difference between Christ's redeeming death and worldly acts of redemption? III. The Method of the Gift: God’s Justice Vindicated – Romans 3:26 1. Pastor Paul said that salvation is “Not fair, but it is glorious.” In what sense is salvation unfair, and in what sense is it glorious? IV. The Result of the Gift: Peace, Access, and Hope – Romans 5:1-2 1. P After World War I ended, it is estimated that around half a million civilians died due to the continuation of fighting and the resulting humanitarian crisis. Additionally, a quarter of a million excess deaths occurred in the eight-month period following the conflict's conclusion, primarily due to starvation and disease. (Wikipedia). State two ways that the peace that Christians enjoy with God differs from the peace negotiated between warring nations. 2. Per this verse, what is the benefit of justification by faith and what is the ground of this benefit? Prayer Points: • Confess your need for redemption, acknowledging that you “fall short of the glory of God” and can’t save yourself. • Thank God for this gift—that He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. • Pray for a deep sense of “peace with God” during this busy holiday season. • Ask God for opportunities to share this “Gift of Redemption” with others.