Because He Loves Us

Ephesians 2:4-5,  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)            

Theme: God’s Motivation for Saving Us is Love. He loves us so that we might love others with a genuine servant’s heart and thus bring glory to Him! 

Introduction:

Have you thought much on the reason God saves us? Some might suggest God saves us primarily to take us to Heaven. Another might offer the idea that God saves us to keep us out of Hell. Many have concluded that God is concerned about humanity and therefore, He devised a plan to save us. Yet, others may have concluded that God saves us because He saw something special in us and deemed salvation a fitting reward.

Actually the Word of God addresses this great question with brilliant clarity. As usual it would be wise to look there before drawing any conclusions about God’s actions and motives. As we discover God’s motivations for saving us, we will also be challenged to adopt those same motives for our treatment of others. As a result, we will not only treat people as God does, but we will do so for the same reasons.

So, Why did God Save Us?

God luxuriously exhibits undeserved kindness to sinners because of “His great love wherewith he loved us.” This type of love seeks our highest good. Since we sinners are spiritually dead toward God, we have no means of proving ourselves worthy to Him. This is what makes God’s love so “great.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Beloved, this is the reason He had compassion upon us. It is not that we had any claims on His favor; the reason God saves is found in Him and not in us! Eternal love led to the gift of our Savior.

Lesson:

God Saves Us Because He Loves Us

1 John 3:16, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

  

One primary reason that God sent His Son, Jesus, to this world to die for our sins was because He loves us. God forgives us, grants us eternal life, and gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit out of His immeasurable love and grace. This is one of His primary reasons.

1 John 4:9-11, In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Indeed Christ can to die for our sins. This was a deep and profound expression of giant size love for us. God is motivated by an out-of-this-world kind of love to save sinners like us. There is no room at all for us to brag about our performance to earn salvation; we owe it all to the love and grace of God.

A.     GOD DOES NOT SAVE BY HIS LOVE FOR US.

 Dr. J. Vernon McGee related this following account:

One young fellow who had been attending came up to me. He had on a funny hat with “Love, love, love” written all over it. He had on a funny coat with “Love, love, love” written all over it. He had “Love, love” on his trousers and even on his shoes. I asked, “Why in the world do you have “love” written all over you?” “Man,” he said, “God is love.” “Well,” I said, “I agree with you. Nothing could be truer than that.”
Then he added, “God saves us by His love.” I answered. “I don’t agree with that. God doesn’t save us by His love. Can you give me a verse that says He does?” He scratched his head and thought a while and then admitted he couldn’t think of one. “Well,” he said, “if God doesn’t save us by love, then how does He save us?” I answered, “Very frankly, I’m glad you asked me that question because the Bible says, ‘By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.’ God saves us by His grace.”
Then the boy wanted to know the difference. This is how I explained it to him: “God does love you. Don’t lose sight of that. God loves all of us. But God cannot, on the basis of His love, open the back door of heaven and slip us in under cover of darkness. He can’t let down the bars of heaven at the front door and bring us in because of His love. God is also light. God is the moral ruler of this universe. God is righteousness. He is holy and He is good. That adds up to one thing: God cannot do things that are wrong—that is, wrong according to His own standard. So God couldn’t save us by love. Love had God strapped—we could say it put Him in a bind. He could love without being able to save.
I thought you would quote John 3:16 to me. Let’s look at what that verse says: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Does it say God so loved the world that He saved the world? No, that’s exactly what it doesn’t say. God so loved this world that He gave His only begotten Son. You see, God couldn’t save the world by love because He goes on to say, ‘that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.’ You and I are going to perish. We’re lost sinners, and God still loves us, but the love of God can’t bring us into heaven. God had to provide a salvation, and He paid the penalty for our sins. Now a God of love can reach out His hands to a lost world and say, ‘If you will believe in My Son, because He died for you—if you will come on that basis—I can save you.’ God doesn’t save us by His love. God saves us by His grace.” –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

B.     GOD DOES NOT SAVE BECAUSE OF OUR EFFORTS. (Ephes. 2:8-9)  

Eph 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9, Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rom. 3:20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Many believe they can earn salvation by their efforts; they fail to understand that “grace” is God’s free favor towards ill deserving people. Grace involves God reconciling repentant sinners to Him even though we clearly do not deserve such treatment!

   1.  Countless People Seem to Believe That God Saves a Man or Woman Because of the Person’s Good Works, Performance or Service.  There are many serving God so that they will not have to go to Hell.  They are attempting earn an eternal home with God by being religious, attending church, obeying the commandments, or treating others kindly. The truth is nothing could be farther from what God actually said.

         a. There Is No Amount or Any Type of Service That Can Earn Salvation.  Ephes. 2:8-9

         b. How Many Good Works Will Help Us Earn Salvation? The Answer is NONE! We could not even do a “good work” until after we are saved and God begin to work through us!  (See Eph. 2:1 & 10)

  2.  The Gospel is the Message of the Undeserved Goodness and Grace of God.

Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross of Calvary to purchase salvation for you and for me. He did so voluntarily and willingly in obedience to His heavenly Father, who was completely and totally motivated by love when He sought our redemption (See John 3:16; 1Cor. 15:1-4).

C.     GOD DOES NOT SAVE BECAUSE OF OUR POTENTIAL.

Just as a person is not saved because of his past good works, neither is a person saved because he has potential for future good works. Some feel they were saved because of their potential.

      1. God Does Not Save Selectively Based On Our Capacity For Christian Service.

God does not look at one person and say, “You have the potential to be a preacher, so I am going to save you” and then look at another and say, “You aren't worth much, so I won't save you.” No, God is not especially attracted to a certain lady because she has a beautiful singing voice or to a gentleman because he has great mental recall or management skills. 

             a. God’s Gift of Salvation Is Offered Freely to All Who Will Receive It.

Isaiah 55:1, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  

Rev. 22:17, And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Beloved, receive that Gift today! Take it, it is FREE to you, but it cost God the blood of His only Son. Receive the Gift of eternal life! Again Romans 6:23, says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This awesome gift becomes yours when you receive it by faith.

             b. God Created Each One of Us with a Unique Set of Talents and Traits That Can Be Employed for His Service as He Wills. But, no person is so good, incredibly special, or talented that God will favor them in salvation over another. 

     2.  Every Person Has Equal Merit in God’s Eyes—NONE; We All Are Unworthy of Salvation.   There is no inherent “goodness” in any person that warrants his or her salvation. No person has the prerogative to stand before God Almighty and say, “I deserve to be saved.”

Rather, we each must confess, “I need to be saved.” Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” All means all. Romans 3:12, They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.   (Also see Matt.  19:17; Mk. 10:18)

Dr. McGee shared the following account,

 A poor woman from the slums of London was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at the ocean. She had never seen the ocean before, and when she saw it, she burst into tears. Those around her thought it was strange that she should cry when such a lovely holiday had been given her. They asked her, “Why in the world are you crying?” Pointing to the ocean she answered, “This is the only thing I have ever seen that there was enough of.” My friend, God has oceans of love, mercy, and grace. There is enough for you. He saves us by His grace because of His love. –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

Beloved, God has enough grace to save you and me! This is precisely what Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”. This gift becomes yours when you receive it by faith. Note what Paul says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation is offered by God as a gift…a gracious gift. You do not pay for your own salvation no more than you pay for your own gift. A gift is given out of love, and it must be received through trust. Beloved, Jesus is not a gag gift!

The same is true with God. He is motivated by His “great love wherewith He loved us” to make available salvation as a free gift to us. In order to receive this gift you simply accept it. The gift is not ours automatically…God does not force this gift on us. You must exercise your faith to accept it. That is you accept the fact that you personally are a sinner, that your sin places you in danger of God’s eternal wrath in hell, and that you can do nothing to rescue yourself. You accept that Jesus Christ is God who became a man to die for our sins as our Deliverer. He was indeed buried and He arose the third day triumphant over death, hell, sin, and the grave. You must accept this risen Savior as your own by faith. Once you do, “the gift of God”—eternal life, forgiveness of sins, a relationship to God, and a home in heaven—becomes yours. Why not receive God’s incredible gift right now?

What Do You Mean, "I'm Lost?"

Luke 19:9, 10

Theme:  man is lost because human history, our own conscious, the absence of real satisfaction, the Cross of Christ, and the Bible all consistently declare this message in concert.

Relevance: much of the world has erroneously concluded that, mankind is not lost and therefore has no need of salvation.  The following information will help us understand how God views humanity and what arguments we can use to convince people or help them realize their woefully lost condition.

And Jesus said unto him [Zacchaeus], This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:9–10, KJV)

Introduction:

Undeniably, Zacchaeus has been converted to faith in Christ and this passage records this glorious development! In fact “salvation” came for him that very day even though he was a Jewish tax collector. Furthermore his conversion underscores the reason—the primary mission—Jesus Christ entered this earthly existence. Our Lord came to seek and to save the lost! Zacchaeus was lost, but Jesus saved him. Ring the bells and celebrate because all of heaven rejoices at the salvation of the lost.

I think it is important to begin with asking the question, what do the terms “lost” and “save” actually mean? There may even be some who would resent such a classification or characterization. Defining these terms will not only establish concrete communication throughout this article, but it will also help us grasp God’s intentional statement when He employs the terms. I think it is important to recognize the terms came from God.

Now then, the word “lost” literally means to destroy; to destroy utterly; cause to perish eternally; deprived of eternal life; to lose a possession.  When applied to salvation, “lost” means our relationship with God is broken by our sin, and when we die, we will go to hell—eternal destruction. Lost denote the fact that we do not possess a relationship with God that is redemptive in nature, and as a result we will perish forever.

Well that characterization does not sound too good at all. Thankfully there is a wonderful alternative available to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ and His work at Calvary. That alternative is conveyed in the words “save” and “salvation” Jesus uses in Luke 19:10, 11. By “saved,” Jesus means to cause someone to experience divine salvation; God delivers those who decide to believe on Jesus. Those who are fit for utter destruction and perishing forever are here rescued from that future. The term presents the idea that our relationship with God has been restored through faith in Jesus Christ and we will go to heaven instead of hell. Many passages use these terms and the ‘lost sheep’ analogy to describe sinners doomed to perish unless they are rescued by the God of all grace (Matt 10:6; 15:24; 18:11; Luke 15:4, 6, 9, 24; 19:10). Beloved, Jesus did this for Zacchaeus and he came to do the same for us when we trust him with our sin problem.

Of course, all of this assumes that there is a God. If there is not a God, then we cannot be lost and we cannot be saved. We just live and die, and then we cease to exist. But if there is a God, then mankind is lost and needs to be saved. For the last two thousand years, one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith is that there is a God, humanity is lost, and everyone needs to be saved. Jesus revealed all of these principle realities and theological concepts when he made the statement,

And Jesus said unto him [Zacchaeus], This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:9–10, KJV)

This brings us to the heart of the problem. This is precisely why some are deeply offended when we use the term lost to describe them. “What do you mean I am lost?!” Thy might protect. You see, the problem with humanity is most people do not believe that they will die and go to hell. They think that something will save them. They think that either there is no hell, or there is no God, or that a loving God would not send them to hell, or that their good works will outweigh their bad. But these are all lies, deceptions of the devil. And in reality, we are doomed the moment we believe the lie.  

But since most people believe the lie that they are not in danger of going to hell, we have to start by asking the question, “Are we truly lost and don’t know it?” The majority of people do not believe they are. But what we believe means absolutely nothing unless God believes the same thing. So, to try to gain God’s perspective on the issue, we will ask several questions to see if the answers will give us insight on whether or not we are really lost and in need of “salvation.” Did Jesus actually come to seek and to save me because I am lost? 

Lesson:

What Does the Bible Say about Humanity’s Lost Condition?

The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that the wages of that sin is eternal separation from God in Hell.

Having looked at the words of the Lord Jesus suggesting humanity’s lost condition, we now turn to other statements of Scripture. If we take the Bible at face value, we simply cannot avoid the fact that humanity is lost and in need of personal salvation. In Romans, two verses combine with particular force: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

But the Bible by no means stops there:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16–18)

The words of the Lord Jesus clearly portray humanity as unbelieving, perishing, and condemned. He is careful to state with unmistakable clarity that all humanity is hopelessly lost without His direct intervention. The Lord Jesus insists that people are "condemned already because" they have not placed their faith in Him, the absolutely unique Son of God. In light of humanities woeful predicament God sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Still each individual must recognize they are lost and believe on Jesus Christ to be saved.

As Jesus was contrasting the actions of the redeemed with the unredeemed in Matthew 25:41, He was unambiguous in His description of the fate of those who reject Him: “Then shall He say unto them on His left hand, ‘Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

Jesus saw "everlasting fire" in the future of those who were not saved God's way. Many may claim to know the Lord as Savior, but in reality they never actually trusted Him for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. They were never delivered by God though they were religious, church goers, were baptized, and observed certain Bible requirements tenaciously. They were depending on their performance, obedience, adherence, and commitment to save them instead of the grace of God expressed in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. This method can only end in eternal destruction in "everlasting fire."

In Acts 4:12 we read, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the absolute and ONLY WAY to be saved. Religion of any kind is utterly incapable of providing any form of salvation. Deliverance from our lost condition and eternal perishing is exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of all who will repent believing the Gospel.

In Romans 5:8–10, we read: 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. ¹⁰ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

We sinners can be reconciled to God through the death of Jesus Christ, we are also justified before God through Christ’s cross, and we are delivered from wrath through him. Jesus alone is THE Savior; He is the ONLY Rescuer! 

Then in Romans 10:9-13, we are told “what we are to believe” in order to be saved by God:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:9-13, KJV)

The Apostle Paul details the need to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord God, the supreme authority sent by God the Father to provide the solution for humanity's sin problem. By believing that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again as the all sufficient payment for our sins, we are saved. God begins for the first time ever to view us as righteous when we believe on Christ with all our heart and we naturally now confess Him as the Lord and savior of our lives. Furthermore, we are assured of a growing confidence that such an outright confession of faith in the Lord Jesus will not in any way fall short of God's saving grace, be disappointed, proved foolish, or become the source of shame. Paul further guarantees that anyone, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, who calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ will be indeed rescued from eternal perishing and the ultimate consequences of our sins. We must call upon the Lord for mercy today and the Lord is generous to save anyone and everyone who truly calls upon Him for deliverance from the ultimate condemnation of sin.

And finally, we read in Ephesians 2:1–10: 

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Beloved, salvation is by God showing undeserved favor on repentant sinners who place their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  When we examine our past, we can only discover that we do not measure up to God's or our own expectations. We are guilty of significant and small failures before a perfect and holy God. When Christians look at our present situation, we understand that it is because of God's saving grace and redemptive work on our behalf. When we consider our future, it can only be summed up as the outcomes and provisions of Almighty God dealing with us most graciously. He has an incredible plan for our present and our future. We deserve hell for our failures, idolatry, and sin, but because of Jesus Christ we will enjoy forever with God. What God has done for us He is willing to do for all who will repent believing the gospel of grace.

Beloved, salvation cannot be earned, deserved, merited, bought, worked up, or worked for. It is not for sale; it is already paid for and based on the work of Jesus Christ alone. Like myself, you must come to God acknowledging your sinfulness, confessing Jesus Christ, the Son of God as Lord and Savior, and believing the Gospel—Christ died, was buried, and arose again the third day as the Scriptures said He would. This Jesus died to pay the price for my and your sins. When we trust Him, He will forgive, cleanse, and reconcile us to God forever. Beloved, today is your day to come to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

Romans 5:10 says, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” From this we learn that to be lost is to be in a state un-reconciled to God, and to be saved means to be reconciled to God by believing in Jesus and receiving the forgiveness of our sins which He offers us by grace through faith.

We see, then, lessons from history and the testimony of our own conscience show that humanity is un-reconciled to God. We are not sinners because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners. David said in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceived me.” This does not mean that his mother committed sin in the act of conceiving David. Rather, it means that from the moment of conception, the flaw, the corruption of sin was in him. We are all born with it. And if we die with it, we are eternally lost. But if we repent and believe on Christ from the heart, our sins are forgiven and we are saved—we live with God and His children in peace, love, and joy in heaven forever.

We are truly lost. Jesus and the Bible clearly says so! It cannot be denied without overlooking incredible and substantial Bible evidence. The good news is; however, we really can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel.

What if we still reject this idea or Bible teachings? If we ignore the clear statements of the Lord Jesus and the testimony of Scripture we are giving abundant evidence of still being lost. Actually the warnings of the Bible, the testimony of history, and the conclusion of our own consciences agree with what has been presented here. Humanity is lost without faith in Jesus Christ. We are going through life without ever receiving Jesus as our personal Savior.

Beloved, if we believe the lies of the devil and step out into eternity unsaved, we will be eternally lost perishing ceaselessly. The truth is it is not too late for you if you are concerned about this matter. If we believe God and trust Him, He will save us as He promised. I also hasten to warn you, God’s Spirit will not always strive with mankind. He is dealing with us most graciously and patiently; do not reject His generous offer of salvation. But if we don’t trust Him, we are indeed in the wrong, and we will have lost everything.

I Am Free At Last!

There is freedom from sin’s control and condemnation through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is Christ who died in our stead and for our sins; He was buried demonstrating He truly died and that sin was actually fully paid for! He also rose again from the dead on the third day proving the Father accepted His complete payment for sin. The resurrection of Christ also demonstrated that Christ has no more obligations to sin’s debt. He is free and so is everyone who has repented and placed their faith in Christ. Yes, Beloved, we are free in the Lord Jesus. Not free to sin, but free from its control, condemnation, and eternal consequences. We are free to live up to God’s design and expectations for each of us as His children.

Our freedom in Christ is directly related to two main concepts in the Bible:

·        Redemption —we have been redeemed by Christ Jesus with His precious blood.

·        Service —we, as believers, are to serve our new Master.

The choice to receive Christ and God’s forgiveness avails to us spiritual redemption; becoming a child of God also places us into the service of God. Not service for our salvation, but service because we are saved and have a new purpose in Christ. After all, God’s people no longer serve sin (Rom. 6)!

Make no mistake about this, a failure to receive Christ and His payment for our sins keeps a person from experiencing redemption. Such rejection of Christ effectively enslaves an individual in servitude to the “law of sin and death.” My friend, there is NO hope in this scenario….

Perhaps we will appreciate this more if we understand something about the basis and foundation of our spiritual freedom in Christ.

Consider the Truth that Redemption is the Foundation of Spiritual Freedom

Paul makes the following incredible statements in Colossians 1:13-14, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

A wonderful and notable truth is expressed in this passage. God the Father has rescued believers from the power of darkness and has placed us in the grand kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ! We have a new master and authority in our lives that is superior to any and all others. His name is King Jesus! As believers we also presently possess “redemption” through the blood of our Lord. As a result this great passage informs us that we currently have been forgiven for our sins. We are no longer guilty before God, but are now forgiven by Him! As God intervened for Israel to rescue her from Egyptian bondage, He has likewise intervened for us to deliver us from the bondage of the Devil into the freedom of Christ Jesus and the blessings He affords us.

All of this is entirely interesting, but let us consider further the thought of “redemption through his blood”. The Cross of Calvary laid the essential foundation for our salvation and redemption!

Redemption in New Testament Times and Culture Referred to Freedom.

This honestly recognizes what redemption means and how the term was used in the First Century.

Redemption Was for Freedom

Actually the word “redemption” in the Greek and Roman culture literally referred to the purchase of a slave from the marketplace, with the purpose of giving the slave his freedom.

Redemption Required a Price

This is basically true with any purchase. “Redemption” means “to buy back” or “to save from captivity by paying a ransom.” One way to buy back a slave was to offer an equivalent or superior slave in exchange. That is the way God chose to buy sinful people back—He offered his precious Son in exchange for us. Please allow this incredible reality to sink deeply into your consciousness, because it has life-transforming potential and power! The wonderful Lord Jesus Christ, the darling Son of God, was exchanged for you and me. God truly and deeply wanted our spiritual freedom!

Redemption in the New Testament Teaching Emphasizes the Price of Freedom.

Note the crystal clear words of the familiar First Peter 1:18-19, reminding us by saying, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

Beloved, it was not mere money, silver, or gold that could pay for our sins. Something grander, more glorious, and more significant was required. What? you ask.... Peter tells us it was the “precious blood of Christ” the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Again this was not mere "blood." Peter did not only say "precious blood." No, Beloved, he said the "precious blood of Christ"! God's very own Son died while profusely suffering  for our sin! Freedom was secured at a tremendous price! It is entirely true for Christ Jesus, that ‘freedom is NOT free!’ It is free to every believer, but it is far from cheap. Our freedom must be a valuable matter to our great God! Oh how we should value and treasure our salvation..... It should be prized more than money, silver, gold, or platinum.... Our redemption price was the blood of the Son of God!

Christ’s Blood Was the Redemption Price

In spiritual terms, redemption refers to the blood Jesus paid; the “ransom” that was required for each of us to be set free from enslavement to our sinful nature. It is the required cost for us to experience the fullness of God’s extravagant forgiveness. God provided a total means of redemption through the bloodshed and death of Jesus on the cross.

Redemption is not the product of human efforts, good deeds, noble gestures of kindness, or human inventions that actually help our fellow man. No! All of these things are good in and of themselves, but they cannot and do not secure our redemption and freedom from the penalty and power of sin. Consider the Song of Redemption the ransomed of the ages will sing around the throne of God in heaven one day in Revelation 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou [Jesus Christ] art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [both his death and bloodshed were essential for our salvation].” In that eternal day, we will correctly accredit the blood and death of Christ as the redemptive price for our spiritual freedom!

Redemption Was Christ’s Stated Goal and Purpose

The Lord Jesus explicitly stated his purpose for coming to live with humanity for the brief season of his earthly life. Redemption was his focus and stated goal. MacDonald observed,

Redemption describes the act whereby we were bought from the slave market of sin. The Lord Jesus, as it were, put a price tag on us. How highly did He value us? He said, in effect, “I value them so highly that I am willing to shed My blood to purchase them. (MacDonald, W. (1995); Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Jesus taught His disciples that His very purpose was to provide redemption for you, me, and even the entire world. He said in Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus understood a price must be paid to free us from our spiritual bondage, and He came with that very intent. Christ’s life was the ransom payment!  Notice the same truth echoed by Mark in Mark 10:45, asserting, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus clearly stated He came to lay the essential foundation for our redemption. If men could save themselves or if there were some other way, Christ never would have paid such an incredible price for our redemption. It is imperative that we understand that Christ laid the foundation for our redemption and not we for ourselves.

Paul also referred to the redemptive purpose of Jesus when he wrote, First Timothy 2:5-6, saying, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Once again God communicates to us that Christ willingly gave himself a ransom payment for all humanity at Calvary’s Cross! Calvary was God’s fascinating design, and not a miscalculation that went wrong somehow!

Redemption in the Whole Bible and Plan of God is the Exchange of Life for Freedom. Redemption is not a concept limited to the New Testament.

Remember When God Redeemed Israel from Egyptian Enslavement?

The word “redemption” has a rich Old Testament meaning and goes back, once again, to the analogy of Israel’s rescue and deliverance from Egypt. The last plague and disaster God sent upon the Egyptians was the death of the children (Ex 12:29-30). Every firstborn son of the Egyptians died, but the Israelite children were spared because the Israelites placed the blood of a lamb on their doorframes (Ex 12:22-23). This is just one place where the concept of “redemption” is vividly illustrated in the Bible. Notice again two common facets:

·        The Price of Bloodshed and Death

·        The Exchange of Life for Freedom

Actually, The Message of Redemption Can Be Seen from Cover to Cover in the Bible.  Note carefully the following observations:

·        God planned for our redemption (Gen. 1–3)

·        God required redemption (Gen. 3:21)

·        God prepared the way for redemption (Gen. 12–Mal.)

·        God instituted His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ (the Gospels)

·        News of God’s redemptive plan was spread (Acts)

·        God's redemptive plan was explained (the Epistles)

·        God's redemption of man will be consummated (Revelation)

The entire Bible is the story of God’s redeeming love. Obviously God desires for His people to be free! It is no stretch of the imagination to note that God sacrificed greatly to secure our freedom! We can also safely conclude that our spiritual obligations to God are colossal!

Your and my spiritual freedom has been purchased for us by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as no slave can redeem himself, so no person can redeem himself spiritually. Stop trying to make your own way to God and come to God by the means He has already provided. Come through the Cross of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Stop trying to earn your own way; this method is as old as sin, and it still does not work (Gen. 3). God laid the foundation for redemption Himself. We do not need to lay another foundation! Place your trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God who became a man for the purpose of dying for our sins. He literally died and made full payment for all sin two thousand years ago. We know that God the Father accepted Christ’s payment because God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. Since Christ is alive we can come to Him and trust Him for forgiveness and redemption. If you have never trusted Jesus Christ to save you then you need to do so today. In fact, now is as good an opportunity as ever. God went through the extremes to have you for Himself…He even gave His beloved Son in the process… Surely you do not want to reject His grand redemption believing you can make it on your own!  

As genuine Believers, we are indebted forever to the One who paid the price for our freedom, since there is no means by which we can pay Him back for what He has done for us. We have a great debt of gratitude; indeed, we “owe” our eternal lives to Christ Jesus, who purchased our freedom for us.

Once again note the insightful words of MacDonald,

Since we have been purchased at such a tremendous cost, it should be clear to us that we no longer belong to ourselves; we have been bought with a price. Therefore we should not live our lives the way we choose. Borden of Yale pointed out that if we take our lives and do what we want with them, we are taking something that does not belong to us, and therefore we are thieves! (MacDonald, W. (1995); Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Yes, God has given us freedom in Christ and we are to use that freedom to honor and glorify Him! I challenge you, by the grace that has been given me in Christ Jesus, to live free! Let freedom ring! Be free indeed! If the Son of God has made you free then live like it! We are NOT slaves to our will, but to His—that is freedom! We are NOT slaves to the Devil; we have a new Master in Jesus Christ—that is freedom! We are NOT enslaved by sinful habits and practices; we are free to reject all sinful indulgences by the power of Jesus Christ! Beloved, we are free! Yes, we are free from sin; we are not free to live in sin. We are free to live without its dominance and control. The period of enslavement is over. Christ Jesus is the great Emancipator! Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I am free at last!

What Jesus' Resurrection Means To YOU!

ROMANS 4:23-25

THEME: we can be delivered from eternal suffering in the lake of fire for our sin by accepting God’s provision of a substitute and sacrifice –Jesus Christ. For indeed Christ was delivered for our offenses and then raised again from the dead for our justification– salvation.  Because of faith in the resurrected Christ we are made acceptable to God.

INTRODUCTION:

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24, But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25, Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:23-25, KJV)

Christ died in our place, bore our sins, paid the penalty due our sins; and all this not by force, but willingly (Jn. 10:17, 18). The blessed truth is that something happened to Christ, and because it happened to Christ, it need not happen to us. Jesus Christ died for our sins; we need not die for them if we accept His sacrifice.

Christ was also raise again and we are identified with Him and represented by Him as Winners and Victors over Satan, sin, death, hell, and the grave. The Lord Jesus has a central place in God’s program of providing righteousness for sinful people by grace through faith. Both Christ’s death and His resurrection are essential to this grand work of justification (Rom. 4:23-25).

MESSAGE:

I. The Resurrection Of Christ Is Still A Relevant Matter.

It will continue to be as long as people are born sinners, as long as Hell burns hot, as long as death is a threat, and as long as the grave persists. But, not everyone who claims to be ‘Christian’ believes this….

SOME REJECT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION!

1.  Some So-Called Theologians and Scholars Believe that the Resurrection is Not Important to Modern Man in this Technologically Advanced and Hyper-Computerized Age.

   A)  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "theologian" Reginald Fuller makes the following statement in his book The Formation of the Resurrection Narratives.

Not only is the assertion of the resuscitation of a corpse incredible, as Bultmann pointed out, but still more pressing is the question, So what? Suppose a first-century Jewish prophet did in fact, incredible though it may seem, rise from the grave? What difference can that make to my existence or to the social, political, and environmental problems of contemporary man?

    B)  The first mistake of this poor misguided man was that he overlooked volumes of evidence from the Scriptures to dismiss the Lord’s resurrection as insignificant and irrelevant for contemporary man.  Then secondly, he is confused on what is the most ‘dangerous threat’ to mankind; it is not man’s social, political, and environmental problems that are his most pressing concerns. Intimidating as they may be, and as grim as the future on earth may appear to be in light of these ills, still mankind’s ‘greatest threat’ is Satan, Sin, Death, the Grave, and Hell.

2. Such Men Have Failed To Realize the Far Reaching Implications of our Lord’s Empty Tomb! Through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus all of these ‘real threats’ were rendered powerless for the Believer in Christ. Yes, the resurrection of Christ is extremely relevant for today!

SCRIPTURE DECLARES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION!

1.  The Scriptures Teach that the Resurrection of Christ Will Always Be a Current Significant Factor With Eternal Relevance.  Death and resurrection were the portion of the Savior (Rom. 4:25). One can hardly fail to notice the carefully balanced character of this statement, relating as it does the death of the Lord Jesus to our sins and His resurrection to our justification.

  A) Christ Was Raised for Our Justification. Rom. 4:24-25

     1) Condemnation—“Who was delivered”, to death; compare Acts 2:23.  Sin deserves death (Rom. 6:23).

     2) Substitution –“For our offences,” Christ died on account of our sin crimes. He was delivered over to death in order to make the payment required (satisfactory solution to remove sin’s penalty by punishment) for our sins.

     3) Resurrection –“And was raised again” from the dead. Christ Jesus lives forever more!

     4) Justification –“For our justification” in order that we may be justified.

The word “justification” means acceptance with God; including not only the formal act by which God forgives sins, and by which we become children of God, but also the completion of the work—the treatment of us as righteous, and raising us up to a state of glory. By the death of Christ the atonement for sin was made. His death and resurrection alone provides our acceptance with God.  The resurrection of Christ was essential for the exercise of our faith in Him as the Savior, since Christ’s continuance under the power of death would create serious doubts about the effectiveness of His sacrificial death on the cross. Furthermore, justification also involves a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4-7).

O’ Beloved, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own personal Savior, there is NO other means of being forgiven of sin, an eternity with God in Heaven, nor life after life without Him. Trust Christ today!

  B) His Resurrection Is the Main-spring (Origin) of All Our Hopes and Final Salvation.

2 Tim. 1:9-10, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ)

         1) Christ’s Resurrection Anticipates Our Personal Hope & Resurrections.

Life and immortality are brought to light by resurrection, 2 Tim 1:10. God “hath begotten us again to a lively hope (a living, active, real hope), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3. Thus, the fact that he was raised becomes the basis of hope that we shall be raised and accepted of God.

         2) Christ’s Resurrection Encourages Our Personal Salvations.

The fact that Christ was raised give real incentive to salvation! The reality that all who believe on Him shall be raised also is one of the most powerful motivators to seek God’s justification through Christ.

                a) Life After Life Through the Resurrection is an Outstanding Reason for Getting Saved!

There is no greater incentive to be shared to encourage someone to seek salvation than the fact that he maybe raised up from death and the grave, and made immortal to share eternity with God (1 Cor. 15:1-4, 48-57).

                b) Christ’s Resurrection Serves as a Powerful Guarantee That Believers Will be Raised Also!

There is no other viable proof that man can be raised from the dead, but through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In His resurrection we have a promise that all his people will rise. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him,” 1 Thess. 4:14. “Because I live,” said the Redeemer, “ye shall live also,” John 14:19; compare 1 Peter 1:21; Jn. 11:25-26.

2. Christ’s Cross and Resurrection Transcends the Concerns of This Life and World! Therefore, regardless of what the political pressures may be, and in spite of the ever growing environmental concerns, and regardless of the social frustrations of our day, we still have a hope in Christ that sustains us through the difficulties of this life and will deliver us safely into the next.

II. The Resurrection Of Christ Assures Us Of Our Justification!

Romans 4:24-25,  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1Cor. 15:4 . . . and that he rose again the third day. . .

Christ’s death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all people (Rom. 3:24) so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to this provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 1:4). Thus because He lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person who responds by faith to this offer. (Wiersbe)

TRUST THE RISEN CHRIST TO BE SAVED TODAY!

     1.  Without The Resurrection of Christ Salvation Would Be Impossible. 

1 Cor. 15:12-20,  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

      2.  Christ’s Resurrection Is Important Because the Same Savior Who Died for Our Sin Is Alive Today to Save Us. We can trust a Living Savior: a living Savior can call sinners unto himself. While a dead savior cannot save anyone, a living Savior can save all who receive His forgiveness and accept His life. We simply cannot receive Eternal Life from a dead man. We can only have assurance and hope beyond death because we have a relationship with the One who conquered death through His resurrection. Clearly Christ is the only one that can by His finished work bring sinful humanity back into a right relationship with a Holy God.

               A) Christ’s Work of Redemption Was Completed in His Resurrection. His death would have been unavailing; his work would have been imperfect, if he had not been raised up from the dead. He submitted to death as a sacrifice, and it was needful that he should rise, and thus conquer death and subdue our enemies, that the work which he had undertaken might be complete. (Wiersbe & MacDonald)

               B) The Resurrection of Christ Is God’s Endorsement of Christ’s Perfect Life, and Atoning Death! His resurrection was a proof that his work was accepted by the Father. What he had done, in order that sinners might be saved, was approved. Our justification, therefore, became sure; as it was for this reason He gave himself up to death.

ACCEPT THE TRUTH THAT JESUS LIVES TO SAVE.

     1.  Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for Saving and Justifying the Repentant Sinner who Believes. We are viewed by God as just as righteous as the Risen Christ is!

Romans 8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 When a sinner trusts Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, she or he will receive the credit of being righteous, alive, and assured of acceptance by God because they are identifying with the resurrected Christ.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remain no more obligations to sin and death.  We are freed from such obligations so that we can serve our Lord with our new lives (See Rom 6:4-13).     

      2.   Jesus Christ is Literally “the Resurrection and the Life;” You Need to Believe on Him.

John 11:25-27, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

All hope of eternal life and resurrection power point to faith in Jesus Christ. He died in our place, was buried and on the third day He arose from the dead. By doing so He demonstrated that sin had been paid for completely, and that salvation could be obtained through faith in Him and His monumental achievements! Like Martha, we need to confess that Jesus Christ is The Lord God of the Old Testament who became a man to die for our sins. This same Son of God arose again in the power of eternal resurrection life and is able to save anyone who will repent believing the good news. Truly Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and He conquered death, the grave, and Hell on our behalf. Turn to Him for salvation life, forgiveness of sin, and an eternity with God.

CONCLUSION:  

1. Today you too can experience the Life giving power of the Risen Christ by believing on Him as your personal Savior. He is the resurrection, both spiritually and physically. Trust Him; believe on Him today.

2. Christian, recognize that you are free from death and sin through the Risen Christ, therefore serve God with your new life in Christ. The same power that saved you is available to empower you to live out God’s plan for you. Choose life after life.

3.  Stand on the promises of God without staggering and doubting with full persuasion that God is able to do what He promised. Remember strong unwavering faith glorifies God! (Rom. 4:20-21)

4.  Do not be confused as to what the most pressing current threats are to mankind. It is not the environment; it is not our social troubles; it is not our political frustrations that are most pressing. No, it is our spiritual deadness, the threat of Hell, eternal separation from God, spiritual bankruptcy, and the need for the life of God through faith in Jesus Christ. 

5.  Exercise serious caution about who you read after and what you watch on television! This is especially needful when it comes to reading Christian books, periodicals, and watching major new network documentaries about Jesus. There are many false teachers in the world today. Beware of the fact that the fundamental teaching of the resurrection of the Savior is under sore attack by the wicked one and his crowd.

6.  Recognize the reason we have hope of eternal life, a heavenly inheritance, and the rapture or resurrection is all because of the resurrection of Christ. Beloved, great are the implications of Christ’s empty tomb!