Lent 2008- Salvation History

Greetings in the Lord!

Lent Sermon Series

During Lent 2008 I am stepping away from the Series on Acts and following the revised Common Lectionary readings for lent to look at something called Salvation History.

What is Salvation History? It is looking at the story of how God acted in History from Creation, through the fall into sin, the calling of Abraham, the covenant with Israel, The Exodus, The rise of the Nation of Israel, the babylonian captivity, the reestablishment of the nation, and the coming of Christ; in order to bring salvation to you and I through the deatrh and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The last few weeks I've not posted commentaries so if you've had questions I apologize that there have been no relevant articles for you to attach your comments.

This week we'll be looking at the following Scriptures:

Ex 17:1-7

Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water that we may drink." And Moses said to them, " Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, "Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me." 5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us, or not?"

NASU

Rom 5:1-11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

NASU

We'll be looking at the Subjects of “Grace and Provision” and see how in this ongoing Salvation history God in His grace has called, saved and provided for his people to bring about His ultimate plan of Salvation, even when the people who benefited didn't necessarily deserve it. May you and I, and all of us, see how God's grace preserves us to fulfill His plan, for our salvation as well as for the purpose God has given each of us life.

In Christ and on the Shepherd's Path,

Mark