Christ Our Redeemer (Sermon)

Introduction

Thank you, worship team. This Sunday, we are in the third week of our Advent Series on the names of Jesus. We have tackled the Messiah and Son of Man; now we will look at Jesus as the Redeemer.

Redeemer

What is a Redeemer? We don’t use that word often, if at all, in our day. How might you explain it to children? Webster defines it as: “A person who redeems.” Well, that begs the question, “What does redeem mean?” Words have a semantic range. Webster offers six, all of which we see in the Bible to some degree:

BUY BACK

First,

1a: to buy back …

In the past year, I considered making extra money by hawking things I didn’t need. Facebook marketplace has been a relatively easy place to make some money. But I went to a pawn shop in Michigan City to check that out. They have incredible things like collectible coins, musical instruments, tools, and other treasures. They give you part of the value and sell it for more. It turned out that it was not as valuable as I thought when I inquired about it. So, I left. But had I sold something, I could return to the store and repurchase it if it was still there. All that to say, in the Old Testament, when people ran out of money and things to sell, they could sell themselves to be indentured servants or slaves. The Egyptians did that in Egypt when famine struck the land. Israelites did that, too. The Bible tells us that God made provisions for people in a bind but with parameters. After a certain amount of time, a person would have an opportunity for freedom. During the years of bondage, he or she could be repurchased or, in other words, redeemed. So, one definition of redemption is to buy back.

MORE DEFINITIONS

Here are a few more:

2: to free from what distresses or harms…

3: to change for the better…

4: repair, restore

5a: to free from a lien by payment …

Those all make sense and can be biblical. Jesus frees us from the perils of Hell; he changes us for the better, restores us to a right relationship with God, and frees us from the debt of sin.

ATONEMENT

The last definition I read in the dictionary is more complicated. Redeem can mean:

6a: to atone …

Atonement has two sides. There is the satisfaction of God’s anger. We call that propitiation. And the other side is expiation, the removal of guilt. On the Jewish holiday named the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, the Israelites would take two goats for the sins of the people. One represented propitiation and the other expiation. They sacrificed one go at to satiate God’s wrath; that was propitiation. On the other goat, the priest would place his hand on its head and confess the sins of the people. Then, that goat was driven into the wilderness, symbolizing expiation, the removal of shame.

JESUS IS OUR ATONEMENT

Jesus does all this: repurchasing, freeing, reforming, restoring, atoning. That is how we use the English word. The authors of the Bible wrote in Hebrew and Greek, and the word for redemption carries the more meaning: avenging, claiming, releasing, delivering, and liberating.

VERSES

Let’s move from Webster to God’s Word. Turn to Exodus chapter 6, the second book in the Bible, if you have one. Look at verse 6, Exodus 6:6. I will give you a second to look it up. God said to Moses:

Say therefore to the people of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.” (Exodus 6:6–8, ESV)

God promised to redeem Israel, and he did. How? He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. They cried out to God for rescue from oppression. God heard their pleas. He sent an eighty-year-old murdering, stuttering exile named Moses to their rescue. God can use anyone and anything. His power is made perfect in weakness. God sent Moses, his brother, and ten miraculous plagues to get Pharaoh’s attention. God’s plan worked. Pharaoh had had enough at the last plague, the plague of death. He agreed to let all of God’s people go. This deliverance was their redemption. God redeemed his people.

LEVITICUS AND RUTH

The next book in the Bible, Leviticus, and later book, Ruth, make up 40% of the Old Testament use the word. Let’s look at Ruth before Leviticus. We will get to Leviticus.

RUTH

The book begins with suffering. Famine struck the land of milk and honey. God’s people were starving in Israel. A man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and two sons to a country in the east: Moab. His two sons married local gals. They lived in Moab for a decade. Then, tragedy struck. The husband and two sons passed away, leaving behind Naomi and her daughter-in-laws. Naomi encouraged them to return to their families while she headed back to her homeland. One of the daughter-in-laws, Orpah, took Naomi’s advice. But Ruth, the namesake of the book, and the other daughter-in-law renounced her citizenship and said to Naomi:

“Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. (Ruth 1:16b–18, ESV)

Together, they traveled back to Israel and found the famine was over. They clung to the Levitical laws protecting widows, orphans, and the impoverished, commanding harvesters to leave grains and fruit on the ground that accidentally fell and the edges of the fields. These leftovers were for the poor to glean, and Ruth went gleaning. The owner noticed Ruth. He inquired who she was and made sure his workers treated her kindly. On return, Ruth told Naomi of this turn of events. The owner happened to be what Leviticus calls a kinsman, a relative who could redeem.

KINSMAN REDEEMER

If you read Leviticus 25, verse 35, it talks about this redemption. It states:

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you” (Leviticus 25:35, ESV).

God wants families to care for each other if they can. The relative’s name was Boaz. He could redeem further. But this redemption involved marriage. And subsequently, any inheritance from that relationship would go to Ruth’s children, preserving Elimelech’s honor. But there was a wrinkle in this kinsman redemption; Boaz was not the closest relative to get the first chance at redemption. This rival, realizing he would have to marry Ruth, didn’t want to jeopardize his children’s inheritance. So, he forfeited his rights. Boaz took it. He married Ruth and provided for his new wife, Naomi. The story concluded with a baby. Ruth became pregnant with a bundle of joy named Obed. Who was Obed? Well, he was the father of Jesse. Who was Jesse? He grew up, got married, and had eight sons. Why does that matter? Well, you probably don’t know seven of them. But likely you know one of them. The runt of the liter was David. That is important because David went from being a songwriting shepherd to a giant slaying soldier to a commander of the army and the greatest king of Israel. God can use anything and anyone. From David came a descendant we celebrate this time of year, Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Without a kinsman redeemer, we wouldn’t have Christmas. Boaz foreshadowed Jesus because of his DNA, and he was our kinsman redeemed.

HOPELESS AND HELPLESS

We need a kinsman redeemer like Ruth. Really? It may not seem like it when we look around. As hard as it might be to imagine, we are born morally bankrupt, apart from Jesus, indebted to God. The Bible teaches that we possess a viral infection called sin. Contrary to some, we are not morally good or neutral. The world is not to blame, nor are our parents. Although it is true we are not as bad as we could be, and the world can provoke us to sin, we are not innocent enough to merit heaven or avoid needing redemption. We need Jesus’s redemption. In fact, the Bible teaches that apart from him, no one can come to God the Father. We were enemies with God, entangled in sin, and enslaved by the devil.

JOB

This concept of redemption is not just in the story of the Exodus, Leviticus, and Ruth. It is in Job. You may recall Job’s horrible circumstances. Satan went about the earth and came to God and approached him with a wager. He was convinced that if a person took Job’s family and wealth, Job would curse God. God permitted Satan to take those things away. Job lost his children and all his money. Yet, unbelievably, Job still praised God. The Devil then said if he were allowed to take Job’s health, Job would curse God. God assented to this trial. Job’s health deteriorated. He went into depression. His friends came around to comfort him. They sat silently for seven days and then felt they had to help him. They tried to get him to see he must have done something wrong for God to be so hard on him. Job disagreed and maintained his innocence. He believed God was being cruel and unfair. In Job 19, we can listen to his prayer. Look at Job 19, starting at verse 23. The words will be projected behind me.

Oh that my words were written!

Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

Oh that with an iron pen and lead

they were engraved in the rock forever! (Job 19:23–24, ESV)

This is ironic because God preserved his words forever in a book: the Bible. We are reading them right this minute!

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

yet in my flesh I shall see God. (Job 19:25–26, ESV)

And Job did have a redeemer: Jesus. You see, Jesus always existed. He wasn’t created. He is eternal. He never had a beginning and never will have an ending. He is God in the flesh, the God-man. And although Job struggled with God’s sovereign plan, he believed there was a way in which one would stand up for him in the end. Vindication would be his. This is a different way the Bible uses the word Redeemer. This type of redeemer is like a defense attorney.

MATTHEW HENRY

The old English minister from the 1600s and 1700s, Matthew Henry, wrote:

Here we find him [Job] no stranger to revealed religion; though the revelation of the promised Seed, and the promised inheritance, was then discerned only like the dawning of the day, yet Job was taught of God to believe in a living Redeemer, and to look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, for of these, doubtless, he must be understood to speak. (Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 694.)

Job looked at his Old Testament and knew God’s mercy, eternity, and final justice ending of history. He knew that a Messiah was coming, the child of Eve, the second Adam. He looked forward to this redeemer.

HEBREWS 7:24

As we look at the New Testament, we see Jesus is he. Turn to Hebrews chapter 7, starting at verse 24.

He [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives [present tense] to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. (Hebrews 7:24–27, ESV)

Jesus offered up his life to pay the sacrifice necessary for our rebellion against the LORD. He lives to make intercession. He will be our advocate on judgment and Monday morning.

ROMANS 8:34

Paul agreed, writing:

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is [present tense] interceding for us” (Romans 8:34, ESV).

1 JOHN 2

The apostle John used the term advocate.

“If anyone does sin, we have [present tense] an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is [present tense] the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1b–2, ESV).

You see,

Jesus goes to bat for his people.
He cares for his children.
He intercedes for the brothers and sisters in the LORD.
He advocates for the followers.

John, Paul, the author of Hebrews, and Job were correct.

PRAYER WARRIORS

At church, we have prayer warriors that pray each week for you.

We have a men’s prayer meeting on Tuesdays that prays for the church.
On Wednesday, some seniors pray for the church.
On Fridays, we have a group of men praying for the church.
The pastors and elders regularly pray for the church.

We intercede for you. But things slip through the cracks. We forget. Not all our prayer requests are public.

PERFECT JESUS

Yet, Jesus is the perfect intercessor. He sees all, knows all, and is all-powerful. He lives to intercede. He is our defense attorney in the court of perfect justice. We are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but by faith in his grace, Jesus speaks up on our behalf. Nothing can stop him. The grave couldn’t hold him. Death couldn’t destroy him. He won’t shut up or give up. This is the good news about this baby Jesus we celebrate on Christmas day. Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever get. He is our Redeemer.

PSALMIST

The psalmists saw this as well. They knew God’s character and promises. My favorite reference to a redeemer in the Psalms is in chapter 19. Joe had the youth memorize it for the summer trip. Verse 14 states,

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, ESV).

What a prayer and song. God is our Redeemer, friends. He has repurchased us from death. I think of the slave being taken from one degree of degradation to another. I think of the animal going to the harvest. I think of Israel being enslaved for 400 years. Jesus frees us as our Redeemer. Nothing can exhaust, tire, or deplete God’s riches, power, time, and energy dedicated to his people. His arm is not too short to save. He can reach us wherever we are. God the Father and God the Son advocate for their people.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCE

Redemption is all throughout the New Testament. In Galatians chapter 3, verse 13, for example, it states:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ ” (Galatians 3:13 ESV).

Jesus redeemed us from the curse. What curse? The curse of the Law. What Law?

LAW

Do you recall any of the Old Testament’s ten commandments?

You shall have no other Gods before him.
Don’t make idols.
Don’t take God’s name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath.
Honor your father and mother.
Don’t murder.
Don’t commit adultery.
Don’t lie.
Don’t steal.
Don’t covet.

As I look over the list, obedience doesn’t seem that difficult. How many of us have murdered? Have we stolen anything lately or made a figurine to bow? I haven’t.

DEEPER LAW

However, the Ten Commandments are not like that.

A closer examination of self can show an unhealthy attachment to things and people. For example, we may not be tempted to worship the little Buddha statue from TJ Max, but we may have an unhealthy attachment to buying things with a click of a button or swipe of a card. We can make gods of what we love, think about, and live for. We can make idols of food, vacations, video games, relationships, cars, pleasure, safety, reputation, and wealth. Anything can become a god.
When it comes to the Sabbath rules, do we rest? Do we set aside time to stop what we are doing and rest? Do we find space to seek the LORD during the week? Are we resting in Jesus’s work, or do we constantly strive to fix things ourselves? God wants us to rest in him.
When it comes to murder, are we calling people names? Jesus said if we call a person something like an idiot, we have murdered them in our hearts.
When it comes to adultery, we may not have slept with someone other than our spouse, but Jesus says if we imagine it, it is like doing it. Have you looked at pornography or tried to? Have you undressed someone in your heart? Have you longed to be married to someone other than your spouse?
When it comes to stealing and coveting, have you been jealous, envious, or even discontent? Have you complained recently? Do you mope around because you aren’t getting what you think you deserve?

If you think you are squeaky clean after this simple extrapolation of God’s Law, consider the two great commands in the Old and New Testament: love God and love people. God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Have you? To be honest, I struggle. God wants us to love others as ourselves. He wants us to think of other’s interests and not be selfish and self-centered. Have you? I struggle. God’s Law is a standard we fail daily, unconsciously, and all of a sudden, we can feel a load of guilt. We see our need for God’s redemption.

NO ONE IS RIGHT

None of us are right with God on our own. We need Jesus’s redemptive work to save us from the curse we deserve. But again, that is why having a Redeemer is so incredible and what is so wonderful about Christmas.

COLOSSAE

Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae says:

“The Father… has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV).

God has delivered us from this dark, wicked world. We are under new ownership. We are no longer destined to live sinful ways. The burden and slavery of sin are gone. This enormous weight we carry is cut free. How? How does Jesus do that? The verse goes on.

“The Father…has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12–14, ESV).

Our redemption in this passage equates to forgiveness. God forgives our sins. How?

HEBREWS 9

If we look at the book of Hebrews, it tells us:

“[Jesus] entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12, ESV).

What is Hebrews talking about? God loved us so much that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). He purified us so that our consciences are clean. Thus, when we think of baby Jesus, the story doesn’t end in an ancient barn with a Christmas tree, sorted cookies, hot cocoa, and a massive credit card bill. The story of Jesus is one where Jesus grows up, lives, dies, and rises for our sins. He did that to give us the greatest gift we could ever unwrap: redemption. This redemption won’t go away. Won’t wear out or be forgotten. It lasts forever. It is eternal. He purchased forgiveness with his precious blood on the cross. Our guilt and shame are taken care of.

HYMN

I have been studying hymns and the stories behind them. A man named Philipp Bliss scored the music to the hymn, It Is Well. Here is a picture of him with great hair.

https://www.hymndex.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Philip-Paul-Bliss.jpg

He was an accomplished musician and composer. Tragically, on a snowy December 29th, 1876, on the way to sing at the D. L. Moody’s Tabernacle in Chicago, he (38) and his wife (35) passed away. They were traveling by train through Ashtabula, Ohio (Ash-too-bu-lah), when a seventy-foot high bridge collapsed under the train, killing around 90 of the 160 passengers, becoming one of the most tragic train accidents in American history. Remarkably, Philip Bliss survived. But he could not locate his wife. Seeing the train on fire and determining she was somewhere in it, he ventured into the train to save her. People tried to stop him, but he said he would rather die rescuing her and go to heaven than let her burn. They never located their bodies. However, they did find his trunk. And in it was an unpublished hymn he had written about redemption. Here it is:

1 I will sing of my Redeemer

and his wondrous love to me;

on the cruel cross he suffered,

from the curse to set me free.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!

With his blood he purchased me;

on the cross he sealed my pardon,

paid the debt, and made me free.

2 I will tell the wondrous story,

how my lost estate to save,

in his boundless love and mercy,

he the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,

his triumphant power I’ll tell:

how the victory he gives me

over sin and death and hell.

3 I will sing of my Redeemer

and his heavenly love for me;

he from death to life has brought me,

Son of God, with him to be.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!

With his blood he purchased me;

on the cross he sealed my pardon,

paid the debt, and made me free.

APPLICATION

ACCEPT THE GIFT

Philip Bliss was right about his redeemer. He lives now in heaven, singing to Jesus with his wife. The price of salvation has been paid. It is finished. Jesus bought his freedom. And Jesus is not done. He continues to redeem all who put their faith in him. Will you? Like Christmas gifts, we need to accept them. Some here haven’t. Will you accept Jesus’s redemption? Will you believe he died for you? Will you find freedom today from guilt and shame? Receive this gift of redemption in your heart, my friends. If you can, it is the Holy Spirit empowering you.

SHARE THE GIFT

Many of you have accepted this. It is easy to forget how great it is. We get caught up in life. What do we do? God wants us to share this with others. That is why we had the Mycircle workshop. You might ask, “But what if we missed it?” Come early to church and learn more about sharing this gift.

POST-CARD / FUN EVENTS

What if we can’t? That is also why these postcards are in your bulletin and outside the worship area. We want to invite people to opportunities to worship, have fun, and eat together. We want to be in the world with those who need this gift. May these invites help us pray for those in our spheres of influence, care for them, and share with them.

PRAYER

Let’s pray.