| Memorization Catechism #21 - What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God? One who is truly human and also truly God.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

| Devotional Miracle of BelongingDid you know that belonging is a gift? Sometimes it’s easy to take the gift of close friendships or relationships for granted. (For instance, when was the last time you thanked God for your mom, dad, brother, or sister? It can be really easy to forget how special those people are, right?) But this week’s catechism reminds us that being super close to God is nothing short of a miracle - it’s a work of God that nobody else could accomplish.

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| Activity Send a card with some kind words to someone who needs encouragement.

| Song of the Week "To Us a Child is Born” Spotify Apple Music| Playlist Also check out our Family Worship PlaylistSpotify Apple Music

GOSPEL GRACE CHURCH SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

Family Worship “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your

house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:7

Here’s the thing: not just anyone could rescue sinners. God didn’t say “Jo Shmo, you’re going to pay for the sins of the world.” Oh no, there are very specific requirements! That’s because God made humans very special, but we rebelled against an infinitely perfect God. Let’s be real, though. You probably know all about requirements. Whenever you have to pick up your toys, mom tells you when it’s good enough. (Hint: stuffing everything under the bed isn’t normally good enough.)

Or whenever you get homework, your teacher sets standards for what it looks like to get an A+. First of all, you have to turn in your homework. Secondly, you have to have the right answers. And maybe if they’re REALLY picky, you even have to spell everything perfectly. Requirements. They really matter. In the same way, there’s only one kind of Redeemer who can rescue sinners like you and me. These are the requirements: he has to be fully human and completely God.

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what God has to say about it: “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Let’s read that verse again. What do you notice about the one who comes to rescue sinners? Can you name a few things that the Redeemer has to be? For starters, he has to be born. In other words, he needs to be human. But he’s also called “Eternal Father.” You could say it this way: the

Rescuer of humans has existed eternally… forever. Think about this: Who’s the only one who’s existed forever? Even more obvious, he’s called “Mighty God.” In other words, it’ll be perfectly right and good for us to worship him because he’s fully God.

Only ONE kind of Redeemer can rescue sinners.

God did something truly amazing when he carried out his rescue plan for you and me. In fact, it stumped almost all the religious people Jesus met. (Can you think of any people who DID understand what God was doing? Hint: John 3:1-18, Luke 2:25-38). In essence, God said, “I love you so much, I’ll point my wrath directly at myself. I’ll leave heaven. I’ll become a man. And when it’s all said and done, you can belong to me, and I can belong to you.”

This is a miracle of belonging - eternal God became a human to rescue you. In the next few weeks, we’ll look at WHY the Redeemer must be truly God and truly human. But for now, take a minute to thank God for his selfless love - the kind of love that says, “I care about your problem more than I care about protecting myself.”

Written by Shannon Allen

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GOSPEL GRACE CHURCH SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

| Prayer In P.R.A.Y., R stands for Repent. This week, stop and repent to God that you don’t have what it takes to save yourself. Be real with God about your sin, and ask him to forgive your sins.

Then see the list to the right for prayer highlights of the week

Missions focus: Plant 4 the Gospel. Pray for churches to be planted and people to be saved!

Praying for our church: • Pastor: Will Galkin • Deacon: Josh Clum • Home Groups: Allen (Jordan & Shannon);

Allen (Len & Bev); Almeida