Back Where We Belong

Introduction

The Fall (The sin of Adam and Eve), was devastating to humanity

It took us from God’s original plan. It robbed us of some things

In SALVATION Jesus wins it back!!!

We can get BACK TO WHERE WE BELONG, through Him.

This is captured in the word redemption.

Our Text

Col 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,”

Salvation is Tri-fold

Rescue

Renewal

Restoration = REDEMPTION

Col 1:14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

The term redemption warrants a consideration because it introduces the concept of “buying back”

From what? is the question

REDEMPTION

The term (Greek lutron) refers (Heb. gaal) - The release of people, animals, or property from bondage through the payment of a price

Legally, it was a requirement for the deliverance of a person or animal “buying back” to get someone released

To effect the release, a payment must first be made

Ultimately, it means to remove from a bad situation Ex 6:6 ““Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”

What makes REDEMPTION POWERFUL, is understanding that there must first be some value in the thing/person being redeemed.

“What is man that thou art mindful of him?”

You have value in the eyes of God

Sin was our Slave Master

Redemption is God’s way to get us back

Sin took us from where we were

Redemption is God’s way to get us back

It is God’s great reversal, to regain what was lost

Sin messed up God’s good world, redemption is what makes us fit to enter the new one

Sin means we lost, redemption means we get back what was lost

Sin means we are trapped, redemption means we can escape

Sin means we’re undone, redemption means we will be renewed

DEMONSTRATION

What did we have but lost???

Paradise (the Garden) - Gen 3:23-24 “therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Life - Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Man began the process of dying, and we’ve been dying ever since

Fellowship - Isa 59:2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

How does Christ get it back??? (highlight His suffering)

Redemption is effected by Jesus [The Redeemer]

“In whom [JESUS] we have redemption vs. 14

We can’t talk REDEMPTION, WITHOUT BRINGING UP JESUS

Rom 3:23-24 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”

Tit 2:13-14 “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

Jesus is the ransomer [redeemer] - He makes it possible/He is the only one able

HE paid the ultimate price

“He paid a debt He did not owe, we owed a debt we could not pay”.

He is the only one willing

While He agonised in the garden He was willing

When He was being wrongly accused He was willing

When He was being arrested He was willing

When He was being scoruged He was willing

When they mocked Him He was willing

He was willing when no one else was

Jesus is the ransom price

Heb 9:15 “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Mk 10:45 ““For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

The payment involves a sacrifice. A ransom [money paid to release someone from the control of another] for many.””

1 Pet 1:18-19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

Nothing else can redeem you: Good works/Money/Fame/Assets

Jesus Accomplished the Redemption

#1. He brought us back to fellowship - Col 1:20 “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

2 Cor 5:18-19 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” [For pagans and Christians alike, reconciliation is the action of reestablishing friendship between two persons who are on bad terms, to replace hostility with peaceful relations]

Eph 2:16 “and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”

1 Jn 1:3 “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

#2. He brought back the life - Col 3:3-4 “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Jn 10:10 ““The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Jn 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Jn 6:54 ““He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Jn 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””

Redemption is not Over

#3. He opens the door for a new home - Col 1:3-5 “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel”

Jn 14:1-3 ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” ,

Rev 21:4 “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.””

We look forward to that time when we don’t have to worry about the things of this life

Jesus accomplished redemption. . .but it’s not over

To The Saved

Eph 1:14 “who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” [this too, has a “then” and “now” aspect of it]

Rom 8:23 “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

To The Unsaved