Topics: Ephesians, redemption
I. What kind of redeemer is required?
A. Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer!
- The Levirate marriage (Dt. 25:5, 6) and Kinsman-Redeemer are seen in Boaz and Ruth!
- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Eph. 1:7, 8.
- For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).
B. Jesus Christ is our perfect gracious Redeemer!
- Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18, 19; see Isaiah 52:3).
- Through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
II. What kind of redemption is offered?
A. Redemption requires complete payment of the debt!
- In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Ephesians 1:8, 9).
- For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so 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 (Hebrews 9:15).
B. Redemption is by God's kind will for our transformation!
- For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day? (John 6:40).
- For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11 14).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, May 11th, 2025.
Life group flow and discussion questions
Are you redeemed?
An important Guideline of Life Groups: Understanding proper theology is the most important influence in our behavior! In other words, our view of God impacts everything in our lives. How does Ephesians 1:3-14 lay the foundation for your Life Group in truly knowing God and living for Him?
Getting Started:
- How would you explain the meaning and the blessings of biblical Redemption to someone?
- With an open Bible, find Scripture that answers: "What have you been redeemed from and what you have been redeemed to become?"
Discussing Truths:
- What is a Kinsman-Redeemer and why was it important for Jesus to become human (Hebrews 2:14-17; Philippians 2:7, 8; Romans 8:3, 4)?
- Try to imagine what it would be like to be a slave with shackles on your ankles and being owned by someone else: How does that horrific picture capture the spiritual reality of our slavery to sin (John 8:34-36, 44)?
- When our adversary tries to make you feel guilty, how does our emancipation from all our trespasses grant us victorious living (Romans 8:1)? What did David do to enjoy God's forgiveness of his guilt (Psalm 32:1-5)?
- How does it impact you to read Ephesians 1:3-14 and see the Father in eternity past choosing you (4-6), the Son in spiritual presence redeeming you (7-12) and the Holy Spirit sealing us for our glorious future (13-14)? {Justified, Sanctified & Glorified}
- Have you ever developed a mindset that said you were irredeemable? What truths can you meditate on to reverse those lies?
Now What? Application:
- How are you living out God's will in your life? What do you understand about the "mystery" of God's will for your specific calling?
- What practical activity of our redemption in Titus 2:11-14 is needed more in your life?