We Have Redemption

Ephesians 1:7–8 NASB95

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

Thesis: To affirm for all who are in Christ, that we are spiritually blessed because We Have Redemption.

Repeat: We are Blessed, because of what we possess! We are spiritually blessed, because We Have Redemption!

The Support for our Redemption

Definition: Redemption is freeing or liberating someone for ransom.

The apostle Paul no doubt had a thorough knowledge of scripture. Thus when he speaks of redemption, connecting to the other concepts he mentions such as election or being chosen by GOD, it leans back on past experiences with Israel. So the concept of redemption Paul speaks has roots in the history of God’s people. An early and significant redemption or liberating experience is when GOD brought Israel out of Egypt.

He tells Moses in Ex 6:6 “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.”

Then Moses reminds the second generation, in Deut 7:8 “8 but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

So we see from the background of the concept that there was something binding the people that they couldn’t get out of themselves. But it took the mighty hand and outstretched arm of GOD to liberate or free them.

Application: Understand then, that the redemption Paul speaks of has roots in God’s historical redeeming of Israel. Furthermore, we see Israel and Judah taken captive in punishment, and GOD declaring that they would be set free in Is 45:13. GOD constantly reminds Israel “I am the Lord GOD who brought you out of Egypt”. Trust in the redeeming power of the Lord. His ability to liberate is nothing new.

SAY: GOD has brought me out!

The Scope of our Redemption

When we reflect on God’s might hand to redeem, there were physical circumstances that had them bound. But when we hear Paul in this passage speak of redemption, what is it that had us bound? What were we liberated from? The scope for Israel was bondage in Egypt. For us? Paul restates or further explains the redemption in saying “the forgiveness of our trespasses”. Thus, for this context, the scope of redemption is forgiveness of trespasses.

To appreciate the scope, you must see the need: The root of trespass means to fall, hence the fall of humanity. The sense here are the errors or faults that disrupt human relation with GOD (not trespasses against the law). Forgiveness means to release or pardon from debt. Connecting these thoughts, we were imprisoned away from GOD because of the error of our ways. Can you hear Isaiah 59:1-2 “1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. 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.”

Liberated from the POWER, BONDAGE, GUILT, and DESTRUCTION of sin!

Application: Every single one of us have had errors, slips, and faults. Without this redemption, we were still estranged from GOD. But now in him, we have received our pardon from guilt!

The Sacrifice for our Redemption

But how GOD? Paul you’re telling us we have redemption, we know GOD has redeemed before, and you’ve freed me from my sin guilt that separated us. But by what means?

Significance of blood: Sadly, I must inform us all that the only way to address sin is with blood. From the beginning, GOD said the day that Adam transgressed, he would die. The root word lyo or lytrosin, also gives the sense of cover or atone. We see early that life must be given to expiate or atone, or make one at one with GOD for sin.

After GOD redeemed Israel from Egypt and established his covenant relation with them, GOD knew they would sin and therefore set up what’s called the sacrificial system in order for the entire people to remain with him. Hear Lev 17:11 “11 ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’”

Hebrews 9 exposes this further and tells us that everything in the tabernacle or meeting place with GOD had to be cleansed by blood, and there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood.

Significance of His blood: Well when it comes to securing this level of redemption, full pardon for our sins, the blood of bulls and goats is unsatisfactory. The only blood that worked, is HIS BLOOD, more specifically the shedding of his blood. Not taken, but given. Mark 10:45 life given a ransom for many, 1 Peter 1:19 Precious blood, unblemished blood, Matt 26:28 establishes new covenant relationship with GOD, 1 John 1:7 Cleans us from all sins, Rev 1:5 Releases from our sins, Heb 9:14 Cleans our conscience from sin in order to serve GOD!!

Application: Every fault and error you and I have made, you need to see that it demanded blood!! Thank GOD that the sacrifice of his son’s precious blood secured our forgiveness!! As Paul says in 1 Co 6:20, we were bought with a price!!

The Stock of our Redemption

Jesus blood was the payment. It was the great wealth God’s grace that funded this entire redemption package!! But watch, we saw last week that his grace was bestowed on us in verse 6, but considering that GOD is rich in grace, Paul now says he lavished it on us. That meaning he provided an wealthy amount of grace on us. In other words, our redemption comes with a large stock of grace. The sense of the word lavished is “left over”.

Application: You were sure about your forgiveness yesterday, but today not so sure… there’s some left over. You slipped, want to come back to GOD, realize… there’s still some left. That fault, feels bigger than that fault… still some left.

Conclusion: Emphasize the present nature of the blessing. Sure, Heb 9:12 confirms our eternal redemption. Paul says we have it now and ongoing! In him, not something you lose or are looking for. You always possess it. We are blessed because of what we possess. We possess redemption.