Sunday school lesson (#22) on the Spirit’s work in redemption, 2004-02-29.
Memory verse for March 7: John 3:3.
Record memory verse from last week; have them keep pencils and a sheet of paper for “God’s dragnet” exercise.
Take attendance, hand out “Focus”.
What are some ways Scripture describes those who are not saved, redeemed?
Lost; Jesus is the shepherd who seeks the lost.
Dead; The spirit gives us life (e.g., Eph 2:1,5; Rom 8:11), regenerates us.
Blind; The spirit opens our eyes (e.g., John 9:39).
In darkness; God has given us light (e.g. 2 Cor 4:6).
Helpless; Christ died to save us (e.g., Rom 5:6).
Without hope; Jesus brought us peace by his blood (Eph 2:12-13,17).
Far from God; Jesus brought us near by his blood (Eph 2:12-13).
Sick; Jesus is the great physician who heals us (Mark 2:17).
Unrighteous; we are made righteous by Jesus’s blood (e.g., Rom 5:9).
Condemned, under God’s wrath; we are saved from God’s wrath by the one who bore God’s wrath (e.g., Rom 5:9, 16).
What do you notice about all of these?
We cannot save ourselves. It is God working in our hearts who produces life where there was death, faith where there was unbelief, hope where there was none. God makes the unrighteous righteous, and causes the unholy to grow in holiness.
We are unwilling and unable to save ourselves (dead, without hope, helpless, blind). C.f. Focus cover, “What choices can a dead man make?”
God is the one who saves. Through Jesus’s work, and by the power of his Spirit, God brings us to life. Glory to God for being a God who saves!
Read Q 29
God’s dragnet
John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Have students write answers to questions
Discuss
See lesson plan for points to emphasize, encouragement to draw.
Focus on question 4, the triune God’s work in redemption.
Read Q 30, Eph. 2:8-9, John 3:1-8.
The gift of salvation
Read “God’s personal gift”
Read associated scriptures, discuss questions
Why is this so important? Romans 8:29, Eph. 2:8-9.
Why is this sobering? We have no power to save ourselves.
Why is this encouraging? God is faithful to give life and salvation to sinners.
Read “Blowing in the wind”, John 3:8, and discuss.
Is it important that one have a dramatic or instantaneous conversion “experience”?
What is important? Trust in Christ, not in an event or experience.
How can you know you are trusting in Christ? There is evidence of God’s grace through the spirit’s work, producing love, obedience, faith, joy, humility, and other gracious fruit.
Do “Summing Up” if time permits.
Q 29 How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q 30 How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
The spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Westminster 58 How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?
We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us,[1] which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.[2]
[1] John 1:11-12. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
[2] Titus 3:5-6. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Piper
Question 33: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effective application of it to us, by his Holy Spirit.
John 3:5, 6. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Titus 3:5, 6. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Question 34: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
1 John 5:1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
Philippians 1:29. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Ephesians 2:8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Acts 16:14; 18:27. A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. . . . And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,
John 3:8; 6:64f. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” . . . “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.