Realizing Redemption
I Peter 1:18-20
Introduction: What are the priorities in your life? I’m sure each one of us can answer that question with varying detail. If you’re a Christian, the priorities of life should be based on sound Bible doctrine. That statement sounds good doesn’t it. There has been a lot of good preaching about this and justifiably so. But there hasn’t been a lot of preaching to the Church concerning how to apply it to daily life and live it in this twisted fast paced world we all have to face every day. Let’s just be honest about some things this morning. First of all, can we agree that emotional and inspirational preaching is great to listen to? It picks us up and we walk away with a warm fuzzy feeling, able to say boy the preacher really told them, I agree with every word. We all need this; it is necessary and important to our spiritual diet. But too much of a good thing leaves us wanting in other areas. Second, do you realize that many Christians do not know why they believe what they believe? That’s right and to prove it I want to give you some statistics. Did you know that 33% of professing Christians (those claiming to be born again) believe that if a person is good enough they can earn a place in heaven? Did you know that 28% of professing Christians believe that Jesus committed sin while on this earth? Or how about this one, 33% of professing Christians believe in moral absolutes? Just these three statistics prove that we don’t really know what we believe. Why? I personally feel that preachers have quit preaching Bible doctrine and moved into a preaching that is more socially appealing. A sermon that addresses the six o’clock news but leaves out the Biblical view. Beginning this morning, we are going to begin a series of messages on Bible doctrine, not Baptist doctrine, not Christian doctrine, not reformation doctrine or any other doctrine. We are going to visit what God’s word says about life and how to live it and prioritize it. Now I will go ahead and prepare you, these messages are going to preach Bible that will convict us, either in an encouraging way or a corrective way. Our responsibility is to apply to our lives what God wants in order for us to be the Christian He wants us to be. If we need to repent, let’s repent, if we need to rejoice lets rejoice. Let’s just leave these services being where God wants us to be. This morning let’s look at redemption and what God’s word has to say about it.
Redemption is a word translated from several Greek words and can vary in the detail of each meaning. However, every word that redemption translates share one common etymology; to purchase with a price. With that foundational thought on redemption, let’s look at.
I. The Character of redemption (V.v. 18-19a)
A. Redemption has no monetary value
1. it affects our financial security
2. it directs our financial future
B. Redemption has no social value
1. it reflects our history
2. it establishes our future
C. Redemption has only eternal value
1. it reveals our birthright
2. it introduces our adoption
II. The Cost of redemption (V 19b)
A. The guilt of rejecting redemption
1. it reminds us of our destination
2. it reminds of our opportunity
B. The guilt of reducing redemption
1. it limits the savior
2. it lowers the value
C. The glory of receiving redemption
1. it begins a new life
2. it establishes a new home
III. The Concern of redemption (V 20)
A. It was realized before creation
1. It wasn’t plan B
2. it wasn’t reactive
B. It was revealed in the last days
1. provided
first to
2. provided to the gentiles
Conclusion: Redemption is free but it is not cheap. God gave a great price for redemption, His son. You may say “I have heard it all before” and if that is all the enthusiasm you can develop over redemption, you need to continue hearing it until you realize what it really is. Over in Romans 8:19-23 the Bible tells us of creation eagerly looking forward to Gods redemption. That creation is the natural creation of the earth and the creation of mankind, those that have truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. This morning maybe you have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you have the opportunity. Maybe you have realized how dear your salvation is or maybe the Lord has dealt with you in some other manner. This alter is open and as our musicians provide a hymn of invitation would come if God is dealing with your heart.