What is Redeemption?

Ø What is Repentance?

o Webster defines repentance as regret for any past wrong doing.

o Scriptures define repentance as turning from sin and self-destruction to God.

§ Repentance is recognizing that you have sinned (see the study on sin) and admitting you have sinned.

· Psalm 51:3 for I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

· 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

· 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

§ Repentance is having a change of heart

· 1 Kings 8:46-51 "When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; 47 and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; 48 and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; 49 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. 50 And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy; 51 for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace.

· 2 Kings 17:13 The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."

· Ezekiel 18:31-32 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! (NLT)

§ Repentance is turning AWAY from sin and TO God.

· Acts 3:18-20 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. (NLT)

· Jeremiah 3:12-14 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: " 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the LORD, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the LORD, 'I will not be angry forever. `3 Only acknowledge your guilt— you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' “declares the LORD. 14 "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion.

· 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 9Now I am happy, but not because I hurt your feelings. It is because God used your hurt feelings to make you turn back to him, and none of you were harmed by us. 10When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death. 11Just look what God has done by making you feel sorry! You sincerely want to prove that you are innocent. You are angry. You are shocked. You are eager to see that justice is done. You have proved that you were completely right in this matter. CEV)

Ø What is Forgiveness?

o Webster defines forgiveness as granting pardon, or canceling a debt.

o Scriptures define forgiveness as God pardoning sinners from the consequences of sin, which is death. (Romans 6:23)

§ A blood sacrifice is required

· Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (NIV)

· Matthew 26:27-29 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenantbetween God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” (NLT)

§ Our blood sacrifice is in Jesus Christ

· Ephesians 1:6-8 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (NLT)

· Acts 13:38 My friends, the message is that Jesus can forgive your sins! The Law of Moses could not set you free from all your sins. (CEV)

· Acts 5:31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. (NIV)

· Colossians 1:13-14 God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, 14who forgives our sins and sets us free. (CEV)

§ God has offered forgiveness freely to those who ask.

· 1 John 1:9 ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’

· 1 Chronicles 21:8 ‘Then David said to God, "I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."’

· Psalm 38:18 ‘I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.’

Ø What is Justification?

o Webster defines justified as being qualified or to defend

o Scriptures define justification as being declared innocent because the debt has been paid by Jesus’ death. (Psalm 32:2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! (NLT))

§ The debt was paid by Jesus’ death

· Romans 5:8-11 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. (NLT)

§ Not because of our deeds

· Romans 3:21-26 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Mosesand the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.(NLT)

· Titus 3:3-7 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (NLT)

§ Must believe in Jesus

· Romans 10:8-13 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."(NIV)

· Acts 13:38-39 “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do. (NLT)

Ø What is Redemption?

o Webster defines redeem as to pay off, buy back, or exchange for goods (i.e. redeem a coupon)

o Scriptures define redemption as a payment to buy deliverance or freedom

§ God redeemed His people from their enemies.

o   Deuteronomy 7:7-9 The LORD did not set his affection
                                    on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it
                                    was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and
                                    redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful
                                    God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (NIV)

o   Psalm 106:9-11 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;  he
                                    led them through the depths as through a desert. 10 He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he
                                    redeemed them. 11 The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. (NIV)

·        
                                    The price we
                                    had to pay for our sins was death. God wiped that debt away through his son’s death.

o   Isaiah 44:  22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered
                                    your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” (NLT)

o   Psalm 49:7-9 Yet they cannot redeem themselves
                                    from death by paying a ransom to God.  8 Redemption does not come so easily, for
                                    no one can ever pay enough 9 to live forever and never see the grave. (NLT)

o   Ephesians 1:7 In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood,
                                    the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (NIV)

·        
                                    Jesus redeemed
                                    us from death by dying and than rising to life.

o   Job 19:25
                                    I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth (NIV)

o   Hosea 13:14a 
                                    "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.(NIV)

o   Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing
                                    in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.(NIV)

·         Jesus defends us against our accuser, Satan.

o   Psalm 119:153-154 Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154 Defend my cause and
                                    redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.

o   Lamentations 3:58-59  O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed
                                    my life. 59 You have seen, O LORD, the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause! (NIV)

·        
                                    We could not
                                    pay the ransom ourselves because we are sinful. The Redeemer had to be perfect.

Romans 3:21-28 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (NLT)

Ø What is Reconciliation?

o Webster defines reconcile as to connect as in a close relationship

o Scripture defines reconciliation as establishing a relationship with God.

§ Jesus blood allows us to be reconciled to God.

· Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (NIV)

§ Jesus wants all people to come to God

· 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

§ We are to share the message of reconciliation with others

· 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (NLT)

Ø What is Sanctification?

o Webster defines sanctify as being made holy, to purify

o Scripture defines sanctification as set apart for God, to have a character like Jesus Christ

§         God makes us holy (set apart and acceptable to him) by His Spirit.

·    
                                    1 Thessalonians
                                    5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify
                                    you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

·     1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name
                                    of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours: (NIV)

·     Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of
                                    the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

§         When we commit ourselves to Christ Jesus, we are sanctified in Him,
                                    through the Holy Spirit, acceptable to God.

Romans 15:14-17 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. (NIV)