We chose the word ‘Redeemed’ as our theme for this Easter. In the church, we are very familiar with the concept that God gave His Son for us that we might be saved. We are also understanding that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose victoriously over the grave on the third day. But a word we may not have heard much is the word Redeemed. To be Redeemed means to be bought back. It carries with it the connotation that we were held in ransom and that Jesus paid our ransom with His life. Quite simply, redemption refers to the work of Christ on our behalf, where He purchases us and ransoms us at the price of His own life.

Sin and death held us captive and there was no way out of our spiritual state. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). The Bible also says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

So we see that God purchased or ransomed us from our lost spiritual state through the blood of Jesus. Jesus became the substitute sacrifice for the debt we owed.We have been Redeemed!

Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and again Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Ephesians 1:7 says:
"In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"

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

So this Easter, we celebrate a God who loved us so much that He would send His only Son to die for us that we might have forgiveness of sins...that we may have new life in His Son…that we might be Redeemed!

MARK 16:1-8
The Resurrection

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Regular Service Times
We invite you to come back next week. Our regular service times are Sundays at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m.