In Whom We Have Redemption

Driving home: One of the fruits of the theological indifference of our generation is carelessness with biblical words.

An analogy of a man in prison, under sentence of death, blind, poor, diseased, ignorant, and illiterate, to illustrate the multifaceted nature of man's sinfulness and the distinct works of God (judge, physician, educator, philanthropist) required for his restoration. This highlights why different biblical words for salvation are precise and not interchangeable.

Let me illustrate. Picture a poor chap, guilty, under the sentence of death, awaiting execution. Upon investigation, we find the fellow is not only in a prison awaiting execution, but he is blind. Upon further investigation, we find he doesn't have a penny to his name, he is a pauper.

12:53 - 13:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Become painfully, personally, inwardly conscious of your bondage to truly be thrilled by the biblical concept of release and deliverance.

An analogy of people in a free country not getting excited about freedom because they've never known captivity, contrasted with those who have experienced state surveillance. This illustrates why people who haven't felt their spiritual bondage won't be thrilled by the concept of redemption.

Now, secondly, what are the conditions which necessitate redemption? If Paul praises God for securing release by the payment of a price, it is clear that he is presupposing that he and the Ephesians are in such a condition by nature that they need to be released. See, I can't get you excited today about freedom who live in this country. For the most part, all of us have never known anything other than personal, civil and domestic liberty.

28:48 - 29:23 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not live in spiritual ignorance and self-deception, thinking God is a 'good guy' who will overlook partial obedience.

The analogy of a leopard trying to change its spots to illustrate humanity's inability to change its sinful nature and escape the power of sin on its own.

to the devil all the horror of the unconverted state captive to the law its demands for life its curse unto death captive to sin its guilt its power captives of the devil and what makes it triply worse the scripture says in that condition Romans 5 we are without strength what can we do to release ourselves from the captivating power of the law can we tell God we don't like it that he's placed us under its demands and we'd like to be released can we change the conditions of life no can we somehow sweep away the curses no no sin can we blot out the record that is against us and in the place wher...

38:51 - 40:20 Read in full sermon

The point: Pause, meditate, and drink in the biblical concept of what it means to be redeemed until you cry out with praise and are filled with confidence in God's complete deliverance.

An analogy of totalitarian countries convincing their populace they have freedom, thereby preventing them from seeking true freedom. This illustrates how the devil keeps people in spiritual bondage by convincing them he doesn't exist or that they are already free.

even though man's wickedness is manifest from his youth up if it weren't for his forbearance God would have blotted you and me and the whole bunch of us out a long time ago you are in bondage to your sin it's guilt and you are a dupe of the devil not me I don't believe in the devil no that's right you don't in that very confession is evidence that you are a dupe of the devil the best way to keep you in his clutches is to convince you he doesn't exist the best way to keep a people in political slavery is to try to convince them they have freedom that's what goes on in totalitarian countries the...

56:27 - 57:56 Read in full sermon