## Redemption: What reason?

## Ephesians 1:9-12

Christianity must be very confusing to those who don’t know it well. Listening to TV is enough to boggle the mind as all sorts of contradictory teaching is given. It would be interesting to see why one would think it good to be saved. But that thought raises an interesting question: what is the purpose of redemption? Why did Christ die for us? Why are we saved? If we can answer that question, we can answer a lot of other questions.

I. The Perversions of Redemption:

A. Escape from hell.

B. Make life better.

C. Praying a prayer.

D. Find a personal peace.

E. Health, wealth, and prosperity.

F. Healing in the atonement.

G. Finding the God we want rather than the God who is there.

H. Doing God a favor.

II. The Provision of Redemption:

A. Redemption was determined in eternity past.

1. By the counsels of triune God.

2. God determined that all who would trust in Christ would be saved.

B. Redemption was accomplished on Calvary’s cross.

1. When Christ died, He died for our sins.

2. When He died, all our sins were in the future.

3. When a sinner trusts Christ, all sins are forgiven: past, present, future.

4. He died to save us not to make salvation available.

C. Redemption is finished, and eternal.

III. God’s Purpose in Redemption:

A. Christ sought glory. cf Jn. 17:1,5

1. He sought the return of what was rightfully His and had been laid aside.

2. His glorification required and resulted from the completed work of redemption.

B. The purpose of redemption is the glorification of God. cf Jn. 17:4-7

C. We are saved to glorify Him.

1. In our salvation itself. cf Ep. 2:8-10

2. In our lives once saved. cf Ep. 2:10

3. In our eternal praise. cf Ep. 2:7

D. The ultimate purpose of salvation: to glorify God.

IV. The Practicalities of Redemption.

A. Note: Ep. 1:7

1. There is the process of our salvation.

a. Redemption means that we have been bought and paid for. cf 1Co. 6:19-20

b. It sets forth the idea that we have been set free or loosed from condemnation and judgment.

c. God chose to redeem us from sin and its punishment.

2. Next, there is in this verse the price of our salvation, the blood of Jesus Christ.

a. Our redemption is through His blood.

b. No other price could do, no other payment could be offered, save only the blood of God’s Holy Lamb.

c. Note: 1 Peter 1:18-19

3. Then I want you to see the product of our salvation, the forgiveness of sins.

a. This forgiveness is eternal forgiveness.

b. Every sinner, the moment he comes to Christ is forever justified and set free from the eternal payment and punishment of sin.

B. There are many by-products of redemption:

l. Transformed lives.

2. Restoration of homes and families.

C. Since the purpose redemption is to glorify God, then it:

1. Explains circumstances:

2. Explains suffering:

3. It is simply a matter of how God chooses to allow each of us to glorify Him...some through various experiences and at other times through suffering.

D. At times we lose sight of God’s purpose and begin to believe that the purpose of redemption is somehow tied in to our pleasure, etc.

E. This should have a profound effect on our life-style.

1. We are saved to glorify Him not to better our lot in life.

2. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever).

Salvation is an incredible blessing to us, but blessing us is not the primary purpose of God. God’s glory is most prominent. We must reject anything that does not contribute to the glory of God. We must reject all man-centered purposes for redemption.

Are you redeemed? Have you been bought back from the slavery of sin? Has the precious blood of Christ been applied? If not, then you need to come this morning and accept God’s wonderful gift of salvation. If you have been redeemed, then we need to live like it...bringing God glory in and through our lives.