Redemption

Redemption

Introduction
Redemption is God’s saving work to buy back and restore His people through Christ’s blood. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Tonight we will consider its source, price, blessings, and our response.

The Meaning of Redemption
Scripture speaks of redeeming as paying a costly ransom to deliver and restore. The word carries the sense of release and return to an original standing. Israel heard this hope from the beginning of the gospel story: God “visited and redeemed His people” (Luke 1:68–69). Redemption is not a vague comfort; it is a concrete purchase that sets captives free and restores them to God.

The Divine Source of Redemption
Redemption is God’s work carried out in the person of His Son. Jesus declared His mission plainly: the Son of Man came “to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The apostles testified that the church was “purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). God planned it, Christ accomplished it, and the Spirit bears witness to it in the gospel.

The Price Paid
The ransom for our souls was the precious blood of Christ, the spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:18–19). The covenant teaches that remission rests on shed blood (Hebrews 9:22). Paul reminds us, “You were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Consider the value God placed on you: the life of His Son. Such a price summons a holy, grateful life.

What We Are Redeemed From
God redeems from death’s power: “I will redeem them from death” (Hosea 13:14; see also Psalm 49:15; Psalm 103:4). In Christ we are released from sin’s bondage and guilt; through obedience to the gospel we are “set free from sin” and become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17–18, 22). Redemption breaks death’s tyranny and cancels sin’s debt.

How Redemption Is Received
Redemption’s grace is in Christ; we come into Christ in the way the apostles preached. We are baptized into His death, buried with Him, and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). This is the new birth “of water and the Spirit” (John 3:3–5). In that union with Christ, His redeeming blood cleanses, and we rise as a people who belong to Him.

What Redemption Provides
Redemption brings forgiveness: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Redemption brings justification: God declares His people righteous “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Redemption brings purification and purpose: Christ “redeem[s] us from every lawless deed and purif[ies] for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). In Christ we are cleansed, claimed, and commissioned.

What Redemption Reveals About God
Redemption displays the heart of God—His love, compassion, and steadfast mercy. “In all their affliction He was afflicted… in His love and in His pity He redeemed them” (Isaiah 63:8–9). Through redemption He blots out transgressions and calls for joyful praise (Isaiah 44:22–23). He says to His people, “You are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). The cross reveals a Father who pays the highest price to make us His own.

The Song of the Redeemed
The church is a singing people because the redeemed have a story to proclaim. We lift our voices because Christ has ransomed us, forgiven us, and gathered us into one body. Our praise rises each Lord’s Day as a living testimony that the Redeemer lives and reigns.

Redemption Sermon Outline:

• Definition and Theme

  • Redemption as ransom, release, and restoration; God visits and redeems (Luke 1:68–69).

• Source of Redemption

  • God’s purpose fulfilled in Christ’s self-giving (Matthew 20:28).

  • The church purchased with Christ’s blood (Acts 20:28).

• Price of Redemption

  • Precious blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18–19).

  • Ransom demanded by covenant justice (Hebrews 9:22).

  • We are bought at a price; live to God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

• From What We Are Redeemed

  • Death’s grip and the grave’s claim (Hosea 13:14; Psalm 49:15; Psalm 103:4).

  • Sin’s bondage and guilt (Romans 6:17–18, 22).

• How Redemption Is Received

  • Union with Christ through baptism into His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).

  • New birth of water and Spirit (John 3:3–5).

• Gifts of Redemption

  • Forgiveness in Christ (Ephesians 1:7).

  • Justification by grace (Romans 3:24).

  • Purification and a people zealous for good works (Titus 2:14).

• What Redemption Shows About God

  • Love and compassion toward His people (Isaiah 63:8–9).

  • Blotted-out sins and a call to joyful praise (Isaiah 44:22–23).

  • God’s claim: “You are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

• Response of the Redeemed

  • Faith, repentance, baptism, and a life of holy gratitude and service (Romans 6:3–4; Titus 2:14).

Call to Action
Honor the price Christ paid. Turn from sin, confess His name, and be baptized into His death and resurrection. If you are in Christ, live as His treasured possession—pure, zealous for good works, and joyful in worship. Let the Redeemer’s love shape your daily walk, your service, and your hope.

Key Takeaways

• Redemption is God’s purchase and restoration through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7).

• The ransom was the precious blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18–19; Acts 20:28).

• In Christ we are freed from sin and death’s power (Romans 6:17–18, 22; Hosea 13:14).

• We enter redemption’s grace by union with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3–4; John 3:3–5).

• Redemption grants forgiveness, justification, and purification for good works (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24; Titus 2:14).

• Redemption displays God’s love and calls us to praise and holy living (Isaiah 63:8–9; Isaiah 44:22–23).

Scripture Reference List

• Luke 1:68–69 – God has visited and redeemed His people; messianic hope announced.

• Matthew 20:28 – Jesus gives His life as a ransom for many.

• Acts 20:28 – The church purchased with Christ’s own blood.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 – You were bought at a price; glorify God with your body.

• 1 Peter 1:18–19 – Redemption by the precious blood of Christ, the spotless Lamb.

• Hebrews 9:22 – Remission is grounded in shed blood.

• Hosea 13:14 – God promises redemption from death.

• Psalm 103:4 – God redeems life from the pit and crowns with steadfast love.

• Psalm 49:15 – God ransoms the soul from Sheol.

• Romans 6:3–4 – Baptized into Christ’s death; raised to new life.

• Romans 6:17–18, 22 – Freed from sin; enslaved to righteousness with the fruit of holiness.

• Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption through Christ’s blood; forgiveness of sins.

• Romans 3:24 – Justified freely by grace through the redemption in Christ.

• Titus 2:14 – Christ redeems and purifies a people zealous for good works.

• Isaiah 43:1 – “I have redeemed you… you are Mine.”

• Isaiah 63:8–9 – In love and pity God redeemed His people.

• Isaiah 44:22–23 – Sins blotted out; the redeemed called to sing.

• John 3:3–5 – New birth of water and Spirit.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO