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Sermon #2086[i] Miscellaneous Sermons
Title: “Redemption Through His Blood”
Text: Ephesians 1:7 Subject: Redemption by the Blood of Christ Reading: Psalm 32:1-11 and Ephesians 1:1-14 Introduction:
Two weeks ago I preached to you on the subject of Limited Atonement. Today I want to go back to the sweet, soul-cheering subject of redemption. Open your Bibles to the first chapter of the book of Ephesians. Ephesians 1 is, perhaps, my favorite portion of Holy Scripture. Redemption is my favorite subject. The title of my message is “Redemption Through His Blood.” What a glorious subject this is! Nothing is more needful and nothing is more delightful than “redemption through his blood.” You will find my text in Ephesians 1:7.
(Ephesians 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
In verses 3-6 the Holy Spirit has, by the pen of his servant, the Apostle Paul, shown us the gracious works performed for us by God the Father, before the world was made, works by which he saved us from everlasting. Here he begins to declare the works of God the Son, which were accomplished in time. In Hebrews 4:3, the Spirit of God tells us that “the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” But here he speaks of redemption as a work performed and accomplished in time. That is not a contradiction. That which was done by the purpose and decree of God in eternity is and must be executed and accomplished by the power of God in time. And both the Father’s eternal work and the accomplishments of the Son in time are “according to the riches of his grace.”
Redemption presupposes a very grave situation. It presupposes captivity, bondage, and slavery. Were we not a fallen, captive, enslaved race, there would be no need for redemption. But God’s elect, like all other people, “were by nature children of wrath, even as others.” We were born…
Redemption also implies a prior ownership. — A Pawned Item.
Redemption is the complete deliverance of chosen sinners from that captivity, bondage, and curse into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, by the purchase of His blood and the power of His grace.
Redemption is the theme of the Bible. It is promised, prophesied, portrayed, and proclaimed throughout the pages of Inspiration. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to it. Everything in the New Testament explains and declares it. Everything in heaven has reference to it.
Redemption is the dominant theme of my thoughts in prayer, meditation, and worship. Redemption is the dominant theme of my praise and thanksgiving. Redemption is the dominant theme of my conversations with men. And redemption is the dominant theme of my preaching.
“E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme And shall be till I die!”
If I did not preach “redemption through his blood,” I would not preach at all. I mean, if I did not preach redemption through his blood every time I stood to preach I would not pretend to be God’s preacher (1 Corinthians 2:2).
(1 Corinthians 2:2) “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
Illustration: “Stay right here!”
“Redemption through his blood” is the one thing you must have. Without redemption you must perish. Someone must suffer for your sins. Someone must pay for your crimes — Either you or a Substitute. But someone must pay. Your very conscience tells you that!
Proposition: I am here to tell you that redemption has been accomplished, purchased, and obtained for chosen sinners through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all who trust him have it.
Divisions: I want to show you six things plainly declared in this one verse of Holy Scripture about “Redemption Through His Blood.”
Let’s look at this rich, rich verse word by word.
(Ephesians 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
“In Whom”
First, the Purchaser of redemption is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Notice those first words of our text, — “In Whom.” All the blessings of God’s free grace for time and eternity are in Christ, — “In Whom we have redemption through his blood!” · Christ is the Author of our redemption. · He was called and appointed to be our Redeemer in eternity in the Covenant of Grace, and freely agreed to it as our Substitute (Psalm 40). · In the fullness of time he was sent to accomplish the redemption of a chosen multitude (Galatians 4:4-6).
(Galatians 4:4-6) “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Jesus Christ, as our near Kinsman, had the right and the ability to redeem us (Hebrews 2:9-16).
(Hebrews 2:9-16) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (11) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (12) Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (13) And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (16) For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”
And “with his own blood he entered once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us!” (Hebrews 9:12). · Redemption is His. — He did it! He obtained it! He owns it! · It resides in Him. · He is made of God unto us redemption by Divine imputation (1 Corinthians 1:30).
(1 Corinthians 1:30-31) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
We will never appreciate the greatness of redemption, until we appreciate the greatness of our Redeemer. What a vast, immense work that must be that required the God of Glory become a man that He might die! How immense that work must be that could be accomplished by nothing less than the sacrifice of God’s darling Son! — “For thy Maker is thine Husband; the Lord of hosts is his Name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel, The God of the whole earth shall he be called” (Isaiah 54:5).
(Isaiah 43:1-7) “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (5) Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; (6) I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; (7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
“We”
Second, the objects of redemption are God’s elect, “we” who are actually redeemed! Paul says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood.” Everywhere the Bible speaks about redemption, it speaks of it as an effectual work of Christ accomplished for a specific people (Revelation 5:9; Isaiah 53:10-12; Galatians 3:13-14).
(Isaiah 53:10-12) “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
(Galatians 3:13-14) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
(Revelation 5:9) “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou 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.”
Who are the “we” in this text? Who are those people redeemed by the blood of Christ? We are not left to guess and speculate about this. Just read the chapter. It tells us exactly who the “we” are who have “redemption through his blood.” · All who were blessed in verse 3. · All who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world in verse 4. · All who were “predestinated unto the adoption of children” in verse 5. · All who are “accepted in the Beloved” in verse 6. · All who are forgiven of all sin in verse 7. · All who have obtained the inheritance of grace in verse 11. · All who have faith in Christ in verse 13. · All who are sealed in grace by the Spirit of God and have the earnest of the inheritance in verse 14.
Universal redemption is universal nonsense! We preach an effectual Savior who has obtained and in whom we have an effectual redemption.
“We Have”
Third, Paul shows us the fact of redemption. — “In whom we have redemption through his blood!” This vast work of redemption is here spoken of as a thing possessed. We have redemption. Yes, our Lord Jesus declared it to be finished when he died as our Substitute (John 19:30). Yes, because he is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), the work was “finished from the foundation of the world” (Hebrews 4:3). Yet, it was accomplished in time; and it is something God’s elect come to possess in time.
Redemption is a work of God with vast, infinite dimensions. It reaches through all time and through all eternity. And it is as vital in the experience of it as it is in the accomplishment of it. Though we were chosen in Christ, predestinated to the adoption of children in Christ, and accepted in Christ from eternity, yet, having forfeited all right to these blessings by the sin and fall of our father Adam, and our whole nature being thereby degraded and ruined, were it not for redemption through his blood, we must have remained in the captivity of sin, under the heavy penalty of the law’s curse, and unfit to enjoy the privileges of adoption forever. What unspeakable blessings are included in that word, — “redemption!”
Redemption is the present, everlasting possession of every believer. It is not something we hope to have. It is something we have right now! Being redeemed, I am right now and forever…
· Freed from Sin (1 John 3:5; Rom. 6:18).
(Romans 6:18) “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
(1 John 3:5) “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
· Freed from Satan (Romans 6).
· Freed from the Law (Romans 7:1-4; 8:1; 10:4).
(Romans 7:1-4) “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (2) For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. (3) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
(Romans 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
(Romans 10:4) “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
· And a Possessor of Everlasting Life!
“His Blood”
The fourth thing revealed in our test is the price of our redemption — “His blood!” — “In whom we have redemption through his blood!” Let’s talk about his blood for a minute. 1. His blood represents his life sacrificed for us. — “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” 2. His blood is a man’s blood. — Man sinned. Man must suffer! 3. His blood is God’s blood (Acts 20:28).
(Acts 20:28) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
· Infinite in Merit! · Omnipotent in Power! · Omnipresent in Efficacy!
4. His blood is enough!
Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine.
5. His blood is covenant blood (Hebrews 13:20).
(Hebrews 13:20) “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
6. His blood is eternal blood (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
(1 Peter 1:18-20) “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: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”
(Revelation 13:8) “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
7. His blood is sprinkled blood (Hebrews 9:12-14).
(Hebrews 9:12-14) “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
· In Heaven! · In Your Conscience!
8. His blood is assuring blood (Hebrews 10:19-22).
(Hebrews 10:19-22) “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The price of our redemption was his blood! “Ye are bought with a price…!”
“The Forgiveness of Sins”
Fifth, the result of redemption is “the forgiveness of sins.” Wherever there is redemption through his blood there is the forgiveness of sins. You cannot have one without the other.
Forgiveness was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. — Forgiveness is given to us upon the merit of his blood. — Forgiveness is ours in exactly the same sense that it is Christ’s. He was released from the load and from the charge of sin when he had fully paid the debt of sin, and so are we (1 Peter 4:1; 1 John 4:17).
(1 Peter 4:1-2) “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 1 Peter That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”
(1 John 4:17) “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
· God has forgiven us of all past sins. · He has forgiven us of all present sins. · He has forgiven us of all future sins. · He has removed them from us (Psalm 103:12).
(Psalms 103:12) “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
· He casts them into the depths of the sea. · He blotted them out (Isaiah 43:25).
(Isaiah 43:25) “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
· He will not impute them to us (Romans 4:8).
(Romans 4:8) “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
· He has purged them away! · He will not remember them against us forever! · He will never deal with us any the less graciously because of our sins.
Robert Hawker wrote, “So infinitely extensive in its efficacy is redemption from sin in all its consequences, that it reacheth through all time, and through all eternity. And so infinitely great in its power, that ‘it cleanseth from all sin’ (1 John 1:7).”
“The Riches of His Grace”
Sixth, the cause of redemption is “the riches of his grace.” — “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” · Grace planned it. · Grace provided it. · Grace performed it. · Grace applies it. · Grace will complete it – Resurrection! · Grace will have the praise of it.
I call upon you to trust the Lord Jesus Christ our great Redeemer. Oh, may God the Holy Spirit graciously cause you to trust our Savior!
Not Your Own
Now, I press upon you and myself, my brothers and sisters, the claims of his blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
In the light of this great and blessed gift and possession of grace, “redemption through his blood,” I cannot avoid saying to you who have this great gift, “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Since God chose you, redeemed you, and saved you, you belong to Him. It is true that all people belong to God, as creatures belong to their Creator, as property to its Owner, as subjects to their Ruler. All things and all people were made by God and for God, and all are ruled by God’s sovereign will. This is God’s right as the absolute Sovereign of all his creatures (Romans 9:15-26). But we who believe belong to God as a child belongs to its Father, as a wife to her Husband, as a willing bondslave to his Master. Ours is an intimate, loving, family relationship with the eternal God.
We belong to God by the sovereign purpose of his grace. In old eternity God said, “I will be their God; and they shall be my people.” Were it not for God’s electing grace, no one would ever be saved. Indeed, were it not for God’s election and determination to save some, the world would never have been created. We belong to God because He chose us as His own (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
We are the Lord’s by the special purchase of his Son. — “Ye are bought with a price,” Paul said. It is not expected that the ungodly and unbelieving should seek the honor of Christ. They were not redeemed by him. But it is most reasonable that we should willingly give ourselves to the service of our Savior’s will and glory. He bought us out from under the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13).
We belong to our God by the saving power and grace of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1-4; Psalm 110:3). We were lost, helpless, depraved, and spiritually dead. But the Spirit of God came to us, and called us to life. He created faith in our hearts, and brought us to Christ by his sovereign, irresistible power and grace. He made us willing, voluntary bond slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And we belong to God by the solemn profession of our faith. Following our Lord in baptism, we have publicly declared to all the world our faith in and heart allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4-6). Baptism is the believer’s obedient, public confession of faith. It identifies us as those who belong to God. Since we belong to God, it is only reasonable that we should glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits, which are God’s.
If Christ has redeemed you, you belong to him. By your own profession of faith, you have willingly, voluntarily given yourself up to the claims of Christ. You belong to him. Because you belong to Christ,… · You have nothing to fear and everything to give you comfort. You are a child of God, an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:17). · You are not your own provider. It is a father’s responsibility to provide for his children; and our heavenly Father provides for His own (Matthew 6:31-34). · You are not your own guide. It is the responsibility of the shepherd to guide his sheep; and the Lord who is our Shepherd guides his sheep through this world (Psalms 23:1-6; 37: 23-24). · You are not your own protector. It is the King’s responsibility to protect his people, the husband’s responsibility to protect his wife; and Christ who is our Husband and King protects His own with sovereign power (Isaiah 43:1-5).
Because we have willingly given ourselves to Christ as voluntary bond slaves, we are to live under his dominion willingly and completely (Luke 14:25-33). Being the bond slaves of Christ, we must not follow our own will, serve our own interests, or lend our service to another. A bond slave has no property, no rights and no time of his own. He should have no will of his own. He has voluntarily resigned himself and all that he has to his Master. — “Ye are not your own.”
Because we belong to God, we have no legitimate concern in this world but to glorify him. Our heart’s only desire should be, “Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:28). We have no right to serve any cause in this world, except the glory of God our Savior. Everything we are, everything we own, everything we control, every relationship of our lives must be made subservient to the glory of God. Our flesh rebels against this complete subjection to God. We can never give the kind of allegiance to God that we desire in this world. But we must strive after commitment to Christ, the complete consecration of our beings to the glory of our God. May God the Holy Spirit give us grace to relentlessly pursue total commitment to Christ, “in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
Amen.
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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[i] Danville — Sunday Evening – August 1, 2004
Danville — Sunday Morning — June 18, 2006
Danville — Sunday Morning — June 30, 2013
Buck Mountain Baptist Church, Roan Mountain, TN — Wednesday (PM 08/03/04)
Rescue Baptist Church, Rescue, CA — Friday PM (06/30/06)
New Covenant Baptist Church, Great Falls, MT — (SUN AM – 07/23/06)
Sovereign Grace Fellowship, Wasilla, AK — (THUR – 03/15/12)
Recording: BB-34