Redemption!

Pastor Bill Nichols - June 13, 2010

Today's Scripture reference is Colossians 1: 13


Introduction

Becky and I recently switched from Direct TV to Dish Network. One of the surprise benefits of having switched is they sent me via e-mail, redemption coupons for five free pay per view movies. And then, a couple weeks ago, they sent me a sixth coupon. We finally decided to redeem one of those coupons and so we looked through the pay per view movies that were showing and decided to watch the Clint Eastwood movie Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman.

For those of you who might not know, the movie tells the story about how Nelson Mandela, after being released from prison and then being elected president of his African nation, used the nation's soccer team to pull together a country which had suffered many years from the ill effects of apartheid, or racial segregation. It is a great movie and I highly recommend it. I love it when I can watch a free movie, and I have five more to redeem.

This morning I want to once again go back to the book of Colossians and share with you a message on the topic of Redemption.

Colossians 1: 13 says:

"For He (God) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

The Meaning of the Word Redemption

There are actually a couple of words that are translated "redemption" or "redeemed" in the Scriptures. The first one "denotes to buy out, (and was used) especially of purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom." If you were a slave, someone else could pay the redemption price, basically they could buy you from your owner, and then he could set you free. The second word, which is the root word to the one used here in Colossians; "Signifies to release by paying a ransom price."

Both words allude to the fact that the one being redeemed is in bondage to someone or something. And, in both cases, a price has to be paid to gain ones freedom. Another important point is that the price that is paid has to be of equal or greater value than the one being redeemed.

Have you ever noticed in the Sunday sale ads that in order to get something for free or at a reduced price, you must first purchase something that is of equal or greater value than the item you are trying to get at the free or reduced price? Buy one suit and get a second suit of equal or lesser value for free! Why can't I buy the $100.00 suit and get the $500.00 suit for free?

Buy one dinner entree and get a second meal of equal or less value for free? Why can't I buy the burger and fries and get the steak and lobster for free?

No, in order to get something for free, you must first pay a full price.

Let me ask you a question this morning: "What would you say is the value of a person's life?

In the Law of Moses it says that the penalty for taking a life is: "A life for a life." Exodus 21: 23 You can extrapolate from that, that in God's eyes, the only thing that is of equal value to your life is another life.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6: 23 that the "wages (or penalty) of sin is death."

The Scriptures teach that there are three kinds of death that a person can experience. They are: physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.

I think that we all understand that, unless the Lord returns during our lifetime, that we are all going to die a physical death. That's the way it has been since the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam's sin brought physical death into the world.

What we also need to understand is that Adam's sin caused man to be estranged or separated from God. This estrangement is what we call spiritual death.

Eternal death is what a person experiences when he dies a physical death while still estranged or separated from God. Physical death plus spiritual death = Eternal death.

God's law demands justice. God required a perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty of mankind's sin. The Passover Lamb mentioned in Exodus 12:5 had to be a male lamb "without blemish". When you read in Hebrews you come to understand that all those unblemished animal sacrifices of the Old Testament did not satisfy God's wrath toward man. However, Hebrews 9: 14 states concerning Jesus sacrificial offering of Himself as the Lamb of God;

"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

Jesus death on the cross was the ransom price that God required to paid for you and for me.

In John 19 we find Jesus on the cross. Verse 28 states, "knowing that all was now completed, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.'" Then is verse 30 it tells us that Jesus said, "It is finished." And then He died.

The word translated "completed" and the word translated "it is finished" are the same word. An interesting note about this word is that it was a common word translated in various ways. One reference states; "This was a common term in the Roman business world. It was used to indicate that a debt had been completely paid. Ancient receipts have been found with "Tetelestai" written across them, meaning: 'Paid in full.'"


The Results of Redemption

What does this mean for you and me? Quite simply, Jesus has already paid the price of your sin and mine. Jesus has accomplished what you can never do on your own. Let us face it, God's standard is perfection (Matthew 5: 48) and neither you nor I can attain to that standard on our own. Even if we could, the Scriptures teach that Adam's sin was imputed or applied to every person. (Romans 5: 12 - 15) We stand guilty before God because Adam sinned. Of course, the reality is that you and I sinned too. Romans 3: 23 states: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But the good news is that both Matthew 20: 28 & Mark 10: 45, tell us that: "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many, for everyone who is willing to accept Him as both Lord and Savior.

The ransom price has already been paid. The only thing that stands between you and redemption is acceptance of the gift that God offers you through faith in His Son Jesus.


Conclusion

There is a poem that was written by a very famous woman who, as a child of eight weeks old became ill and was treated by someone claiming to be a Dr. He was a fraud and his treatment left her blind. This woman went to a school for the blind and later was a teacher there. She is credited with writing over 9,000 hymns. Her poetry caused her to be befriended by Presidents. When asked if she could have one wish she responded that she wished she had been born blind so the first face she would have ever seen would have been that of her Savior. Her name was Fanny Crosby and she wrote a poem which we find in our Hymnbooks titled simply, Redeemed.

Redeemed: Fanny J. Crosby (1820 - 1915)

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thro' His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am. Redeemed and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell. I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long; I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song. I know I shall see in His beauty. The King in whose law I delight; Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps, and giveth me songs in the night. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever I am.

Prayer and Invitation

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