Eph Redemption

Text- Ephesians 1:7-14

Theme- Redemption in Christ

Purpose- To show how much God loves us

Proposition- God demonstrated His love to you in many ways

Introduction- Martin and Gracia Burnham were two godly people that were sold out to serving God as missionaries.  They both received their bush training through New Tribe’s Missions and passed the grueling outdoor tests with ease.  One night when they were on a special trip during their anniversary in Brazil.  They were sleeping contently in their little hut until their rest was interrupted by men that demanded them to get up and follow them.  They followed the men not knowing exactly what to expect, though they figured they must have been some terrorist group.  They were terrorists and kidnapped many others as well, just so they could get some ransom money.  To make a long story short, while the Burnhams were about to be rescued within minutes, Martin was shot and killed in a crossfire between the terrorists and the Brazilian soldiers.  Not every kidnapping has a happy ending.  In fact many have lost their lives even after the ransom has been paid to the captor(s).  However, in many situations as well, people have been released due to a ransom having been paid.

In the Christian life we have been released or delivered from our former captors the devil and our sins.  There are three particular gifts that God has given to us that we will find in this passage.

I.  God graciously redeemed you from your sins (7-8)

                A. The avenue of redemption is through Christ’s blood (7)

It is only by the shed blood  of  Christ that we could ever have redemption from our sins. 

What does the word redemption mean?  It means the release of someone when a ransom is paid.

Some verses on redemption and particularly the way it is used in verse 7

 ἀπολύτρωσις ἀπολύτρωσις : deliverance

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

The Blood of Christ washes our sins away (Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 10:4, 1 Peter 1:19)

                B. The result of redemption is forgiveness of sins (7b-8)

Forgiveness is the result of redemption whereby the offender is released and all charges have been dropped against him never to be brought up again.  And folks God promises to never bring up your sins again (Psalm 103:12)

I also think that the ultimate picture of forgiveness is what Jesus said when He was on the cross to the people who crucified Him (Luke 23:34)

Folks, do you realize what true forgiveness is? 

 Trampled Fragrance

 A little boy, being asked what forgiveness is, gave the beautiful answer: “It is the odor that flowers breathe when they are trampled”.

Each of us were responsible for crucifying the Lord that day.

I Did It

 Dr. Alexander Whyte tells the story of a man who dreamed that he saw Jesus tied to a whipping-post, and a soldier was scourging Him. He saw the whip in the soldier’s hand, with its thick lashes studded here and there with bits of lead, which were intended to cut into the flesh.

 And as the soldier brought the whip down on the bare shoulders of Jesus, the dreamer shuddered when he saw the marks and bloodstains it left behind. And when the soldier raised his hand to strike again the dreamer rushed forward intending to stop him. As he did so the soldier turned around and the dreamer recognized himself.

—E. E. Lark

Thank God that He took the sins that were against us away. (Colossians 2:14)

II. God willingly revealed to you His mystery (9-10)

A.      The mystery was the will of God (9)

Now when we refer to mystery we do not mean something that was mysterious, but rather something that had been hidden or not known.

B.      The mystery is all inclusive (10)

Most commentators believe that this fullness of the times is referring to the end of the world around the time of the Millennium where Christ will reign for a thousand years.  At this point He will rule and all people and all His creation  will be united together in harmony and peace.  The Bible is very clear that this peace will come (Isaiah 11:1-9).

III. God lovingly gave you an inheritance (11-14)

A.      This inheritance was already planned (11-12) Predestined

God once again already knew that you would have an inheritance with Him.  He planned it before the foundation of the world.

B.      This inheritance is eternally protected (13-14) Sealed by the Holy Spirit

When you heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believed, then the Holy Spirit came into your life as a down payment or proof that you would one day receive your inheritance in Christ. 

Romans 8:9-17