The Importance of Redemption
1 Peter 1:17-23
August 20, 2006 AM
Last week, we talked about being Holy – or the principle of Sanctification – being set apart for God’s service. This morning, we dive into the thought of how we can be sanctified and changed: the process of redemption.
Today’s passage shows why Jesus died on the Cross for our Sins. It shows why He suffered and bled – shedding His precious blood for our sins. It shows today – why being redeemed literally means life or death for an individual. Let’s read the text.
TEXT
Redemption is defined as: “being purchased” or “to be purchased”
If you’ve been saved – you’ve been sins have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. You’ve been redeemed
Why is this so important?
I. We are not redeemed by:
a. Corruptible Things
i. Perishable Things
1. Silver and Gold
a. All of the money in the world cannot save you
“Men strive for the wealth of this wild, wicked world – they seek after honor and fame. So lavishly sporting their diamonds and pearls they put the dear Savior to shame. What profit is found in earth’s silver and gold? How sad at the close of life’s day, if for the exchange one must lose his own soul, from heaven’s door be turned away”
“I’d rather be in heaven than to own all earth’s silver and gold, I’d rather have Jesus than the diamonds of a palace to hold; I’d rather be a beggar, Live in a little shack by the road, Than to own all earth’s treasures, with no title to a future abode.:
b. Conversation – “Vain Conversation”
i. Aimless Conduct
1. Money can’t get you to heaven
2. Works can’t get you to heaven
a. A works based faith and salvation may lead someone to being a good person – but the road to heaven goes through Jesus, not just being good all the time.
II. We are redeemed by:
a. Precious Blood of Christ
i. Hebrews 9:11-14
1. Own Blood = Eternal Redemption for us
2. Purged the sins of the World
ii. Hebrews 9:15;26;28
1. Redemption = opportunity for eternal life
b. Blood came from a Spotless Lamb
i. Isaiah 53:7
1. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
ii. 1 Corinthians 5:7
1. Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Israel’s redemption from bondage in Egypt required the sacrifice of a Pascal Lamb.
Our redemption from sin and its curse required the blood of Jesus Christ.
All of this happened because: God Loves You
1. Foreordained before the foundation of the world (20)
a. —“The redemption was in the plan of God before the world began” (Blum). The great things that God has done for us—planning Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and completing it in our time—place an additional incentive and obligation on us to keep on living a holy life. Redemption was no mere afterthought, no last-minute remedy God devised for an evil that he never dreamed would come up. In fact, God not only chose Christ before the foundation of the world, he chose us too.
b. Romans 3:24-25
i. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
1. Propitiation: acceptance of the blood of Christ for the sins of the world
a. 1 John 2:2
i. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2. It was made manifest (20b)
a. The last days began with Christ’s first coming and will last through His second coming. He existed the entire time, but was only revealed in His time on earth.
III. Through Jesus Christ, we must:
a. Believe (21)
i. Do you believe that Jesus: died on the cross?
ii. Do you believe that Jesus: rose from the dead?
iii. Do you believe that Jesus: Is preparing for you a place in Heaven?
IV. Through Jesus Christ, we are purified
a. Purification comes only through obedience
i. Acts 15:9
1. “Purifying their hearts through faith”
b. Truth through the Holy Spirit
c. Leads us to love one another.
V. Through Jesus Christ, we are born again of an in corruptible seed (23)
a. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
i. 13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
b. The Word of God is perfect, which leads us to the instructions and life story of the only perfect human ever to walk this earth and live according to the will of God.
i. John 1:14
1. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us
What is the importance of redemption?
Without the blood of Jesus Christ being shed for our sins – we have no hope. When Peter designed this chapter – He designed it in this fashion:
1. Tell about the hope he has in Christ
2. Tell about how we should live
3. Tell why we should follow Christ
4. Tell about God’s sacrifice of His Son
5. Tell about the perfection of God’s Word
Two weeks ago, we found Hope in Jesus. Last week, we found that once saved, we are set apart to go to work for Jesus and be holy. Today, we find that “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sins”.
Redemption is important.
Do you believe that Jesus Died for You?
Do you want a total life change in your life?
