Hello Redeemer family! 

I am praying that everyone is healthy and in good spirits! Last week we left off with Abraham, the man who God chose to bless with a people for Himself. God made very specific promises to Abraham. He promised to bless him and make him the Father of a great nation. He promised him and his offspring the land of Canaan. He also promised to be this nation’s God! God’s chosen family began to grow through Abraham and his descendants. Some prominent family members who have their own stories in the Bible are Isaac, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph and his 12 brothers. 500 to 600 years after God made those promises to Abraham, we find the nation of Israel in Egypt. They are not a “great nation.” In fact, they are slaves and are looked down upon and mistreated.

How does God fulfill the promises He made to Abraham so long ago?  This week we'll learn about Moses and how the Israelites were rescued and lead on to a new promised Land.


I. The Story

Chapter 4 of the “The biggest Story” is a great resource for these Stories. The book of Exodus accounts from Moses’ birth to the exodus of the people of Israel to the wilderness of Sinai. 
In the Jesus StoryBook Bible, “God to the rescue”, and “God makes a way” also describe how God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt and led them to the Land God had promised
Zondervan put out a pretty cool video of the story of Moses, Egypt, the Israelites and the rescue. You can find it here.
​

II. Interacting with the Story

Some questions we may ask after reading the story: 

• Why did God protect the Isrealites? 
• Here is a first instance of “bad” things happening to God’s people. How do we make sense of it?
• What does this story tell us about who God is? Does he keep his promises?

The Jesus Story Book bible also has some great coloring sheets:

• Download: Joseph's Coat coloring sheet
• Download: Abraham and Sarah coloring sheet
• Download: Moses coloring sheet

Here's a helpful article that discusses parenting when anxieties are high:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/anxious-kids-anxious-time/

"Then the Lord said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out the land of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, flowing with milk and honey" Exodus 3:7a

• ONLINE GIVING: As we’re unable to gather in person on Sunday mornings, this is a great time to set up online giving in place of traditional giving forms. Visit www.redeemerbf.com/give to set up a one-time or recurring offering. 
• EAST MEMPHIS FOOD PANTRY: Our church’s food pantry has been active and assisting families in our neighborhood with prepackaged boxes of food since the beginning of the current pandemic. You can be involved through donating to our food pantry fund at www.redeemerbf.com/give or by delivering boxes of food. Contact Jeremy Wright if you can help with deliveries! 
• REDEEMER BENEVOLENCE FUND: Our church benevolence fund is contributed to by Redeemer members for the sake of assisting other church members in times of need. If you have been affected financially by the Covid-19 health crisis and are in need of financial assistance, please contact one of our pastors.
• MAY CHURCH SCHEDULE: We will continue monitoring the developing public health crisis and plan to reconvene worship gatherings and Missional Communities as soon as possible. Until then, regularly check GroupMe and church newsletters for information and updates. ​
• WELCOME & SECURITY TEAM: We're making an effort to improve both our welcome and the security at our entrance during our Sunday gatherings. If you're available to serve on a monthly rotation for this team, contact Chris Pence at (901) 626-8755.
• ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING: During the month of April, we will be participating in a special season of prayer and giving towards North American church planting through the North American Mission Board. You can learn more about www.anniearmstrong.com. 

GIVING UPDATE

• April 2020 budget: $24,166
• April 2020 actual: $17,649.02

CONTACT

• Jeremy Wright, Senior Pastor: (901) 800-7889, jeremy@redeemerbf.com 
• Chris Pence, Pastor: (901) 626-8755, chris@redeemerbf.com
• Matt Alford, Pastor: (901) 299-2789
• Stephen Johnson, Pastor: (901) 488-5442

​Since it’s unwise for us to gather as a church at the moment, we’ve compiled a worship guide for you to use at home. Set aside time on Sunday morning to worship through the readings, songs, prayer, and sermon below. ​
​​

Read: Psalm 113

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!
The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
​

​"Build My Life" 

Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Oh, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Oh, we live for You

And holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken

And holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me


"Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me"

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

"Enjoying Jesus In John: He Met Our Death," John 8:39-59

• John 7:37: “If anyone thirst, let him come to me & drink. Whoever believes will have living water”
• John 8:12 “Whoever follows me will have the light of life”
• John8:31 “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
• And now vv. 8:47, 51: “whoever is of God hears the words of God...if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

A. All other hopes fall short.

Romans 4:1–5: "What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, & it was counted to him as righteousness.' 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."

B. There is hope in God to be *of God

Ephesians 2:1–3: "And you were dead in the trespasses & sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body & the mind, & were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

C. Our true hope is life through Jesus’ death.
John 1:11–13: "He came to his own, & his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

D. Jesus is the superior and lasting hope.

1. The Father seeks Christ's glory  (vv. 50, 54)
2. He’s superior fulfillment of all that came before (v. 56)
3. He is one with God (vv. 57-59)
​
Romans 5:1–5: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace w/ God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 & endurance produces character, & character produces hope, 5 & hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

​"Jesus My Glory," from The Valley Of Vision, ​pgs. 42-43. 

O LORD GOD,
Thou hast commanded me to believe in Jesus;
      and I would flee to no other refuge,
  wash in no other fountain,
  build on no other foundation,
  receive from no other fullness,
  rest in no other relief.
His water and blood were not severed
  in their flow at the cross,
  may they never be separated in my creed
    and experiences;
May I be equally convinced of the guilt
    and pollution of sin,
  feel my need of a prince and saviour,
  implore of him repentance as well as forgiveness,
  love holiness, and be pure in heart,
  have the mind of Jesus, and tread in his steps.
Let me not be at my own disposal,
  but rejoice that I am under the care of one
  who is too wise to err,
    too kind to injure,
    too tender to crush.
May I scandalize none by my temper and conduct,
    but recommend and endear Christ to all around,
    bestow good on every one as circumstances
      permit,
    and decline no opportunity of usefulness.
Grant that I may value my substance,
    not as the medium of pride and luxury,
    but as the means of my support and stewardship.
Help me to guide my affections with discretion,
    to owe no man anything,
    to be able to give to him that needeth,
    to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful
      and forgiving,
    to show to the world the likeness of Jesus.

• ONLINE GIVING: As we’re unable to gather in person on Sunday mornings, this is a great time to set up online giving in place of traditional giving forms. Visit www.redeemerbf.com/give to set up a one-time or recurring offering. 
• EAST MEMPHIS FOOD PANTRY: Our church’s food pantry has been active and assisting families in our neighborhood with prepackaged boxes of food since the beginning of the current pandemic. You can be involved through donating to our food pantry fund at www.redeemerbf.com/give or by delivering boxes of food. Contact Jeremy Wright if you can help with deliveries! 
• REDEEMER BENEVOLENCE FUND: Our church benevolence fund is contributed to by Redeemer members for the sake of assisting other church members in times of need. If you have been affected financially by the Covid-19 health crisis and are in need of financial assistance, please contact one of our pastors.
• MAY CHURCH SCHEDULE: We will continue monitoring the developing public health crisis and plan to reconvene worship gatherings and Missional Communities as soon as possible. Until then, regularly check GroupMe and church newsletters for information and updates. ​
• WELCOME & SECURITY TEAM: We're making an effort to improve both our welcome and the security at our entrance during our Sunday gatherings. If you're available to serve on a monthly rotation for this team, contact Chris Pence at (901) 626-8755.
• ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING: During the month of April, we will be participating in a special season of prayer and giving towards North American church planting through the North American Mission Board. You can learn more about www.anniearmstrong.com. 

GIVING UPDATE

• April 2020 budget: $24,166
• April 2020 actual: $10,944.96

CONTACT

• Jeremy Wright, Senior Pastor: (901) 800-7889, jeremy@redeemerbf.com 
• Chris Pence, Pastor: (901) 626-8755, chris@redeemerbf.com
• Matt Alford, Pastor: (901) 299-2789
• Stephen Johnson, Pastor: (901) 488-5442