“WE REMEMBER OUR REDEEMER”
SELECTED SCRIPTURES

I. Introduction
It costs something to redeem something. For example, it’s not uncommon today to clip a coupon from a magazine or newspaper, or to receive a discount card in the mail, or to get an email from a retailer offering you some percentage off the regular price of specific goods or services. All you need to do is follow the printed instructions and you can redeem the coupon for whatever the product or service might be.

Regardless of their actual cash value, a little or a lot, we seldom think of the fact that they cost the manufacturer, or the retailer, or the service provider, or the restaurant that issues them something. They all cut into someone’s profit margin. Somewhere along the way, from the provider of the raw materials, to the manufacturer, to the distributor, to the retailer, it costs somebody something. Somewhere along the way someone is reminded that “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

However, when you and I are about to take advantage of such an offer, we really don’t care about what it costs somebody else. We care about the benefit we are about to derive by redeeming our coupon and receiving our benefit. Here are a few examples.

“I’d like to buy some camping gear. I have a Cabela’s gift card good for $25.00. Let me redeem it for that tent over there.”
“I need to get a present for a friend’s birthday next month. I have a coupon for 30% off anything here in the Penney’s catalog. Can I redeem it now?”
“We’re going out for dinner tonight. I have a certificate here from Popeye’s good for 50% off two regular priced dinners. I can redeem it this evening.”

Here’s another example. “I’m dying. I’m scared. Death is standing at my door. I can’t redeem a $25.00 Cabela’s gift card for this. A 30% off coupon at Penney’s is no good to me now. A 50% discount for two dinners at Popeye’s can’t do a thing for me. I’m in des-perate trouble and I know it. I don’t need a tent or a birthday present or a cheap dinner. I need my life. I need to be redeemed 100%. What am I going to redeem for my life?”

It isn’t what, it’s Who. We just sang about Him, didn’t we?
There is a Redeemer – Jesus, God’s own Son;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One.
Thank You, O my Father, for giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit till the (redeeming) work on earth is done.
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II. Text
There’s nothing else, and no One else; nothing you could redeem, no discount card, no coupon, no gift certificate… Wait a minute. There is a “gift certificate.”
You’ll find it right there in your hands. It’s the living Word of God. It’s Jesus Christ Himself.
*John 1:1-5, 10-14 (Stand with me as we read God’s Word.)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become child-ren of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus has already given His life in order that ours may be redeemed. That’s our “gift certificate.” It doesn’t provide 25 or 50 or even 99.9% of what we need to be redeemed. It provides 100%. It’s all been done for us.
Romans 3:24
24 (we are) justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…

He is the One to look to. There is no need to ever look to anyone or anything else.
Ephesians 1:7-8a
7 In (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
8a which He lavished upon us.

Colossians 1:13-14
13 For (God) delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Today we’ll see what Jesus has done for us. We’ll remember our redemption and we’ll celebrate it. Our redemption costs something. But we don’t have to pay for it. Why?
1 Corinthians 6:20
20 For you have been bought with a price…

The price of our redemption was Jesus’ own blood.
*1 Peter 1:18-19
18 (…know) that you are not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

This theme of Jesus’ blood purchasing us for God, His blood redeeming us for our salva-tion, is an essential part of true worship that takes place in the throne room of heaven.
*Revelation 5:8-9
8 …(falling) down before the Lamb…
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book, and break its seals; for You were slain, and did purchase for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

Those singing this song in heaven represent all the redeemed of God. Jesus’ blood accomplishes three things for us.
• His blood redeems us from something.
• His blood redeems us to something.
• His blood redeems us for something.

1. Christians have been redeemed from our sinful thoughts and deeds.
Jesus is coming back for His church. When He does we will be removed from the very presence of sin. And Titus tells us that we will be purified.
Titus 2:13-14
13 (We are) looking for that blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession…

Do you get the full weight of that statement? “…redeem us from every lawless deed…” That’s a part of what we celebrate this morning. Every foul and evil thing you have ever done, ever said, or ever thought, will be gone forever, virtually destroyed by Jesus’ shed blood. Frankly, I have a difficult time comprehending what will be like to live a life without evil thoughts, words, or deeds. I would imagine you do too.
So Communion reminds us that we are redeemed from sinful thoughts and deeds.

2. Christians have been redeemed from the curse of the Law.
When God gave Moses His Law (The Ten Commandments) it was not a new standard for men and women to achieve and then live perfect lives. No one could be saved by doing the Law, because no one could do the Law.

Rather, the Law showed men how far short of God’s holiness they really were.
The Ten Commandments reflect the nature and character of a holy and righteous God, and they make clear just how unholy and unrighteous sinful man really is. Human kind is cursed by and because of the absolute holiness of God. (repeat)
Romans 3:10-12, 23
10 “There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.”
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Can there be any question about that? God’s Law (The Ten Commandments) proves it.
Galatians 3:13
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us…

So Communion reminds us of the curse, the cross, and the blood that redeemed us.

3. Christians have been redeemed from the wrath of God.
Romans 1:18a
18a For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…

In this verse “ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” is directly related to God’s Law.
“Ungodliness” speaks of man’s failure to have a right relationship with God, which is described in the first four commandments, (Exodus 20:1-11) while “unrighteousness” speaks of man’s failure to have a right relationship with his fellow man, which is described in the final six commandments. (Exodus 20:12-17)

Paul tells us that it’s because of man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness that God’s wrath will come upon the earth. How can we celebrate that? We can celebrate that because Christians are already beyond the reach of God’s coming wrath.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:9
9 …having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

We can celebrate this morning because God’s righteous wrath has been poured out on our Redeemer as He hung on the cross. And so God’s grace has come to us.
Romans 3:24
24 (we are) justified as a gift by grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Jesus’ death is sufficient to satisfy His wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness.
So Communion reminds us that we are no longer under God’s wrath.

4. Christians have been redeemed from eternal condemnation.
If you are a Christian you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. You have been redeemed from eternal death to eternal life. One verse, one great verse, says it all.
Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

You and I need to take time to absorb all of that. We know what God’s holiness demands of us. Jesus said, “…you are to be perfect, (just) as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

How do you react to that? How can you respond to God’s demand for absolute purity and holiness if you are to spend eternity in His presence? You can’t. I can’t. No one can. No one could “fix it” but God Himself. And that’s why He sent His Son to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. Shouldn’t we fall down before Him and thank Him for His mercy?

So Communion reminds us that we are no longer condemned, but are redeemed from sinful thoughts and deeds, from the curse of the Law, and from the wrath of God that is to come.

We are redeemed from eternal death and destruction. We are recipients of God’s mercy because we will not spend eternity in hell. God would be merciful if He would simply annihilate us. It would be merciful to let us die and simply pass out of existence. But God goes beyond mercy; He goes beyond saving us from destruction. He not only redeems us from those things, but He also redeems to some things.

1. Christians have been redeemed to the forgiveness of sin.
Ephesians 1:7
1 In (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

We’re not forgiven because of some good thing we have done or through some kind of personal merit. We are forgiven by grace, pure and simple. Jesus’ blood paid the price. God redeemed us for Himself and forgave us by His grace.
“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.”

So Communion reminds us that, because of the undeserved and matchless grace of God, our sins are forgiven.

2. Christians have been redeemed to reconciliation with God.
Reconciliation is not something man does. It is something God has already done.
You might think of reconciliation as a man and a woman who were divorced and then later remarried. Isn’t that a picture of the whole biblical story? When Adam and Eve sinned they were separated from God. One might say God divorced Himself from them.

But He sent His Son to reconcile Adam’s race, to remarry us as it were. Is that a stretch? Well, doesn’t God repeatedly call those who turn their backs on Him adulterers? Isn’t the church repeatedly called the Bride of Christ? Christians are the ones being reconciled.
Ephesians 2:13
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

*2 Corinthians 5:17-19
17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these (new) things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them…

This reconciliation doesn’t take place when you stop rejecting God. It takes place when God stops rejecting you. That happens when God’s wrath is appeased. And God’s wrath is appeased when we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. It’s only then that you become a new creature and your war with God is over. It’s a war you could never win. We had no hope but God gave us faith and brought about peace through His Son.
Romans 5:1
1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

So Communion reminds us that the war is over, that we have peace with God, and that we have been reconciled to Him by Him.

3. Christians have been redeemed to adoption by God.
Are you suffering today? Are you fearful? Are you sorrowful? Are you a child of God? Then there will come a day when all suffering, all fear, and all sorrow will cease.

That’s suffering or fear or sorrow of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether it’s physical or psychological or even spiritual. If you are a child of God, it will end! How can I be so sure? Because true believers have been adopted by God, they are all His children.
*Romans 8:14-18
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
16 The (Holy) Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

This last verse speaks of the hope of the future. No matter what we face now it will pale in comparison to “the glory that is to be revealed to us.” God is our Father. And v. 17 calls us “fellow heirs with Christ.” Can you imagine that? We were like orphans of the storm, hoping the right family would eventually come along, have mercy on us, adopt us, and bring us into their home. The Right Family did!

We have been adopted. Now we are waiting to be taken to our heavenly home. Surely there is still suffering here on this earth, there is still fear, there is still sorrow.
*Romans 8:22-23
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of child-birth together until now.
23 And not only this, but we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Yes, there is suffering, fear, and sorrow here…but not there.
So Communion reminds us that we are adopted as sons and daughters and the day will come when we’ll be taken to our Father’s home.

4. Christians have been redeemed to an eternal inheritance.
It’s not like we’re going to be taking a vacation to get away from our troubles for a few weeks, to rent a cottage on the beach in some tropical paradise, but then have to return to the “old grind.” No, the home we’ll be going to is forever.
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The house made without hands is mentioned again by the writer of Hebrews. He speaks of it as the place where Jesus has gone and where He now intercedes for us.
*Hebrews 9:11-12
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Our redemption is eternal. Our forgiveness is eternal. Our reconciliation is eternal. Our adoption is eternal. Therefore our inheritance is also eternal.
*Hebrews 9:15
15 …(Christ) is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

How do you react to all of that? We’ve seen that God’s mercy keeps us from eternal hell, but we need to understand that His mercy doesn’t give us heaven. His grace does that. Mercy might somehow overlook our sin, but it is grace, unmerited and undeserved favor that forgives our sin. It is grace, unmerited and undeserved favor that reconciles us to God. It is grace, unmerited and undeserved favor that adopts us into His family. It is grace, unmerited and undeserved favor that gives us an eternal inheritance.

How can we not fall down before God, thank Him, praise Him, worship Him, exalt Him, and remember our Lord Jesus Christ when we consider what we deserve, and see what we will receive instead? How do you respond to God when you see the eternal future He has already given us through His Son? How can we do anything less than obey His holy Word? We have an eternal inheritance.

So Communion reminds us that we are His for all eternity.

But there’s more…we are redeemed from some things, we are redeemed to some things, and finally, we are redeemed for something in particular. Jesus’ blood has redeemed us for obedience; we are enabled and empowered to obey Him. John tells us that unless we obey the Lord Jesus Christ we will never see eternal life.
John 3:36
36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Conversely, the writer of Hebrews tells us that those who obey Christ are saved forever.
*Hebrews 5:9
9 …He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation…

So our redemption in Jesus’ blood enables us to obey Him. Partaking in Communion is an act of obedience. He told us to remember Him in just this way.
Luke 22:19-20
19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

III. Conclusion
What I am going to say next is fanciful to be sure. But it will make the point.

When the angels carry you away to heaven, should one of them ask the question, “What right do you have to enter into this place?” You can say, “I have a ‘gift certificate.’ The words ‘Paid in Full – 100%’ are written in blood, and it’s signed by the Son of God.” And the angel will say, “Welcome home.”

Now, as I said, that’s fanciful, but this isn’t.
Jesus redeemed us from…
• sinful thoughts and deeds
• the curse of the Law
• the wrath of God
• and eternal destruction
Jesus redeemed us to…
• forgiveness of sins
• reconciliation to God
• adoption as sons and daughters
• and an eternal inheritance in heaven

And Jesus redeemed us for obedience. Please join me as we obey Him and remember our Redeemer.