Redeemed

A young boy once carved a toy boat out of a chunk of wood and painted it.  He loved the boat and played with it in the brook behind his house.  One day as he was playing with his boat, the current took the boat quickly downstream.  The boy lost sight of the boat and lost his precious hand-made toy.  He felt sad for many months.  But one day when walking downtown, he recognized his boat in the window of a second-hand shop with a For Sale sign on it.  He joyfully bought the boat back even as it was really his all along!

Truth is:  Like that little boat, you and I have been created and crafted wonderfully by God.  We are His prize possessions, the work of His hands.  But we too got carried off by the mighty currents of society and sin.  We quickly become lost and separated from our Maker.  Then, Jesus comes along and “buys us back.”  He pays the price with his blood shed on the cross.  God purchased us and redeemed us to be brought back into His family and to be used and enjoyed by God once again.  We have been redeemed!

Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).  That means Jesus came to redeem and ransom us!  He finds us and buys us back from the clutches and condition of sin.  He ransoms us and sets us free to live the life for which we were created.  Sunday’s message, “Ransom Me!” will highlight three things that Jesus sets us free from.  If you ever feel trapped in the tedious “rat-race” of life or stuck in your sins, this message is for you!  Come, be encouraged!

Traditional worship begins at 9:00 AM.  Contemporary worship begins at 10:45 AM.  Both services feature a solidly biblical message, heart-felt worship, warm friends, and the healing presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst.  A nursery space and Busy Bags are available for children.  Refreshments will be served between the services in the Fellowship Hall.  It’s going to be another Spirit-filled Sunday at Grace Church.  Won’t you please come and be renewed and refreshed?  And why not bring your family and friends as well?!