The Grace of Redeemed

The Grace provided in Redemption

What is Redemption? Biblicaly it is the “buying” back of what was once yours.

When Jesus was to be the means of redeeming “that what was lost”, he had to do the entire process of the sacrificial system. One part of this system that is often overlooked is the “Scape Goat”. We find the concept of the scape-goat in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, chapter 16;

20“And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. 22 The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

In the same manner, so Jesus took upon himself the iniquities of humanity, he too was sent away into the Wilderness, to the “bowels of the earth, to Hades, for 3 days he have testimony to the captives, releasing those of faith… The 3 days of “in the tomb” were significant. It was in these 3 days that a body was accepted as dead, and beginning to corrupt. IN Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole beinge rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

The Triumphant Appearance-

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

The Appearance to Individuals— Mary & the Gals

The Appearance to the Disciples--

The Appearance to those who left the party early- (Road to Emmaus)

The Grace of Freedom--

What this means for us:

Free to live with death & sin conquered

Freedom to live in “newness of life”, in Thanksgiving not Bargaining

NO LONGER UNDER LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE… FOR LIFE

Freedom to be a witness of Life in a New Kingdom....

Paul reasons that if we no longer live, but Christ lives in us, then there must be a survival of the old nature to warrant such a teaching. His point is that there is such a change that I now reckon that I no longer live. Paul will go on to explain in Galatians that there is a struggle between the flesh (our nature) and the Spirit. It will take lifetime of growth to develop habits of victory over our inclinations.

Free to Follow a Spiritual Nature, NOT THE corrupt Nature

We are given the Spirit of God to dwell/live in us. Jesus brought competition to the sacrificial system by being the Perfect Sacrifice. The Perfect Redeemer, The Perfect Offering, The Perfect Scapegoat.

It is Finished!

Is it FINISHED FOR YOU? IF SO, LIVE IT! IF YOU ARE NOT IN FREEDOM, TODAY IS YOUR BLESSED DAY! DO NOT BE AS THE 2 ON THE ROAD TO EMMAEUS, DON'T LEAVE THE PARTY EARLY WITHOUT KNOWING PERSONALLY THE RISEN JESUS....

How to be “born again”

agree with God that you are a sinner, destined for eternity without God or Hope

agree with God that you are in need of a Perfect Savior and that his savior is His Son, Jesus

Agree with God, that by faith & believing, Jesus has taken your sin & penalty upon himself

Agree with God that it is your opportunity to live in His New Kingdom, by the Holy Spirit living in you.

Express gratitude/thanksgiving for this gift of salvation & freedom

Tell someone what you have expressed (parent, pastor, church leader) so they are a witness of you faith and freedom.