CHRIST’S PRICELESS GIFT OF REDEMPTION
ROMANS 6:23
INTRODUCTION: What is it that determines price? There are several things that come into play when determining the price, or value of something. Some of those are the workmanship, materials used, satisfaction of the person buying, availability of the product or materials used, and the need of the product. If salvation or redemption were a commodity it would rate high in each of these categories, with the exception of the last one – the need of the product. See, redemption, apart from most other things, is not seen as a need. Well, at least not until it is often too late!
So this Christmas season we have looked at God’s wonderful gift of creation, man’s woeful gift of rejection, and now this morning, Christ’s priceless gift of redemption. Let’s look at some of the qualities that have made and continue to make redemption priceless.
I REDEMPTION IS PRICELESS BECAUSE IT IS UNIQUE
A Redemption involves the Work of God
1 The work of redemption is an expression of the love of God
2 The work of redemption cannot be quantified with words
3 The work of redemption can only be measured by what it is able to relieve
a Eternal suffering
b Eternal separation from God
B The Work of God cannot ever be duplicated
1 Redemption was meant to deal with man’s sin
2 Redemption is something that can only be accomplished by God. Only God can satisfy God
3 Redemption demands an unblemished sacrifice in order to satisfy God
ILLUSTRATION: Charley Griffith told me a joke a few weeks ago about a scientist who claimed that science could now do EVERTHING God can do, thus science can replace God. God, always up to a challenge, came down to confront this man. As the two met, the scientist once again made his claim that science could do anything God could do. God then picked up some dirt in his hand, closed the fingers around the soil, and immediately nuts fell from His hand. The scientist, undaunted smirked, and picked up some of the same dirt, intent on doing the same thing. Before he could even begin, God stopped Him by saying, Hey, get your own dirt!
II REDEMPTION IS PRICELESS BECAUSE OF ITS EXTENT
A The event of the crucifixion is the focal point in redemptive history
B Redemption is credited backward from the cross
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God’s friend.
Romans 4:3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Galatians 3:6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
C Redemption is credited forward from the cross
Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
III REDEMPTION IS PRICELESS BECAUSE IT IS UNEXPECTED
A We were still in our sins
Romans 5:6-8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Redemption came at the right time
2 Redemption came while we were powerless – the word means feeble. We did not have the strength to deal with our sins
3 Redemption was done in place of us, not just on behalf of us
a Dying instead of me
b Dying for me
4 Redemption was the highest expression of human love one can give another!
B We had rejected Christ
1 Peter 2:7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"
Acts 13:38-41
"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. [39] Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. [40] Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
[41] " ’Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’"
IV REDEMPTION IS PRICELESS BECAUSE OF ITS DURATION
A Redemption has no expiration date
2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
B Man has an expiration date
Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Cor. 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
SO – IN REALITY THE REAL QUESTION OF CHRISTMAS IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH GOD’S REDEMPTION – GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE?
