Redemption, That Is Amazing Grace

For those not familiar with an Anglican service, there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's assigned readings are: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; and Mark 6:14-29

This story is reputedly true ... though true or a parable ... it speaks to the importance ... of the One ... of one who can save.

It was almost 1:00 in the morning... when the phone rang.

Dr. Leo Winters, ...a highly acclaimed surgeon... was abruptly awakened ...from his night's sleep.

There had been an accident... and his skilled hands ...were needed... for immediate surgery.

The quickest route ...to the hospital...happened to be through... a rather tough area of the city, ...but with time being a critical factor, ...... it was worth ...the risk.

At one of the stoplights... his door was yanked open... by a man with a gray hat... and a dirty flannel shirt.

"I got to have your car!" ... the man screamed, ...pulling the Doctor ... from his seat.

Winters tried to explain ...the gravity of the situation ...but the man ...would not listen.

When the doctor... was finally able to get a taxi to the hospital ...... over an hour had elapsed ......and it was too late ...as the patient... had passed away ...30 minutes earlier.

The nurse told him......... that the father of the victim ...had gone to the chapel ...wondering why ...the doctor never came.

Dr. Winters ...walked hurriedly to the chapel... to explain ...what had happened... to him.

When he entered ...he saw the father kneeling in the front row, ... he was wearing a gray hat ...and a dirty flannel shirt.

Tragically... he had pushed from his life...... the "one "... The One...who could have... saved his son. (Pause)

O' Beloved......Scores of people... push from their lives ...the very...... "One" ... who can save them.

Save them... from the penalty and the power ...of their sin.

Countless numbers ...are too busy ...for the One ... The One...who can deliver them ... The One who can save them.

They cannot seem to find time ...for the One ... who can redeem ......their lives.

It is so tragic ... For life could be so different ... for so many ... if they... would only find time ... for the One.

If they would only make time ... for the One.

If they would only make time ...For Jesus.

In announcing the Savior's birth... the angel of the Lord declared to Joseph:

BIBLE "She (Mary) ...will bear a son, ...and you shall call his name Jesus, ...for he will save his people ...from their sin." END (Matthew 1:21)

And Our text... from Ephesians uses another word to address salvation: ......Redeemed.

Paul declares that we have been ... redeemed.

Redeemed How?......through the blood of the Lamb ... through the Blood of Christ.

Paul begins his letter to the believes gathered in Ephesus... rejoicing in that blessing ... that blessing of redemption.

(Pause)

Now...The word redemption ...... was a commercial term... borrowed from the marketplace.

A term utilized ... from a market...where human beings ...were offered for sale... to the highest bidder.

Condemned to this state ... these slaves ...were powerless ......to escape.

Their only hope ...was redemption, ...... an uncommon process ...... whereby they were purchased ... in order ...to be set free.

Scripture uses this tragedy of slavery ...... to illustrate...... our human ...predicament.

Without God's intervention, ... we are all ...hopelessly enslaved... enslaved to self ... and enslaved to sin.

Without God's intervention ......We are condemned ...to live in bondage.

Enslaved by sin, ...... and unable ...to liberate ourselves.

Jesus said. "...... "Truly, ... I say to you... everyone who practices sin ...is a slave... to sin." (John 8:34)

Sin in traps us......Sin holds us ... rendering us ...powerless ... to escape... from Its clutches.

Consequently, ... try as we might, ... we in our own strength...are unable ...to overcome sin.

In our natural... unsaved state ...we are at the mercy ... of sin; ... powerless ...against it.

Our only hope... is in Christ Jesus... who can redeem us, ... setting us free... from sin's penalty ...and power.

Describing what God has done for us, Paul goes on to say, ... BIBLE "In Christ... we have redemption ...through his blood." END Ephesians 1:7

The writer of Hebrews is clear ... Without the shedding of blood...there is ... "No remission of sins." Hebrews 9:22 (REPEAT)

Through faith in Christ ...we are delivered ...from the consequences ...of sin.

But that is only part... of what it means... to be redeemed.

For both ... our present ...and our future ...are affected.

When Redeemed ... We are no longer held captive...We are delivered ...from our old lifestyle... and introduced ...to a new ... and better way.

Jesus said," If the Son sets you free...you ...are free... indeed." John 8:36