I. Illustration: Action Movie Hero (girl is captured, tied up, point of death and in comes the hero to rescue her and save her life!)
II. Scripture passage: Job 19:25--I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
A. This was said by Job during the worst moments of his life. He had lost everything, was physically near death and had friends criticizing him. Yet…he was able to say, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
B. He used the Hebrew word, “ga-al”—means to rescue, to deliver, to claim, to avenge.” He didn’t say I know my God lives or I know my Master lives. No he specifically said I know my Redeemer lives. He had faith and hope that his rescuer would come to deliver, claim and avenge him.
C. Read scriptures using “redeem”. In the NT the Greek word for redeem is “lytroo” whose root word is “lyo”- means to free, to loose, to untie.
D. Job, David, Isaiah, Titus, and Peter all experienced the redeeming power of our Lord Jesus Christ. They had been freed from sin, loosed from the bondage of the enemy and untied from the ropes that held them captive!
III. Definition: (MW dictionary) 1 : to buy back : REPURCHASE
2 : to free from what distresses or harms
3 : to change for the better
4 : REPAIR, RESTORE
A. What do we try to redeem? A coupon; A voucher; A gift card; ourselves???
B. The coal miners’ stories—Penn. Miners trapped
C. We cannot redeem ourselves-we need a Savior, a living one!
D. Just as the miners needed an outside source to save them, we need The Source to save us. His name is Jesus Christ. Without Him there is no redemption available.
IV. Alfred Ackley knew the Redeemer.
A. “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”
This challenging question was posed by a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic meetings conducted by the author and composer of this hymn, Alfred H. Ackley.
Mr. Ackley’s answer to this searching question, ultimately prompted the writing of this popular gospel hymn, He Lives.
The composer answered his inquirer: He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.
He Lives (1933)
(1) I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that he is living,
whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
(2) He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
he walks with me and talks with me
along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
(3) In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing
will come at last.
(4) Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
so good and kind.
V. I Know the Redeemer! I once was lost but now I’m found. You can be too!
VI. I want to close by reading this statement believed to be found in the hut of an African preacher:
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
"I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me, and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear."
VI. Do you want to be a member of the fellowship of the unashamed? Are you tired of living in bondage? Has your life gotten you so tied up you can’t seem to get free? Hear the cry of the saints today—There is a Redeemer! Let Jesus Christ be yours today!
