Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption

I. Redemption is not something we can do for ourselves, therefore we owe our lives to Christ

Ps 49:7  None can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him 8  For the redemption of their souls is costly...

Mark 10:45  "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

1 Cor 6:20  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

II. Redemption has past present and future aspects

1 Cor 1:30 of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption

A. Past Justification Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...26...that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Eph 1:7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Cf Col 1:14)

B. Future Adoption/Inheritance/Glorification Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Eph 1:14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Gal 4:5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

C. Present Sanctification  1 Pt 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and set your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 17  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things...from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Ephesians 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Titus 2:14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.  [Eph 2:10 saved to do good works...2Tim 3:16-17 truth equips us to do every good work]

Rm 6:22  having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

III. Redemption includes Glorious freedom from Bondage

Rom 8:21  the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Jn 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32  "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33  They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, `You will be made free'?" 34  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35  "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

A. Those in bondage frequently don’t even know it (chained by sin habits, character flaws, powerlessness, lack of hope)

B. Believers can be bound by lies, incorrect thinking about God, self (purpose, identity, worth) and others

C. Incorrect thinking manifests itself in Pride, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, self-absorption (our “rights” at center of universe)

D. We gain freedom by renewing our minds with God’s transforming Truth, and walk in light of that Truth by the power of the HS

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. Do most believers live in freedom? If not, why not? What keeps them bound? How does Christ make one free?

2.  What’s the correct response to someone who has saved your life? How can we show that response to God?

3. If God doubly owns us, by virtue of creation and redemption, what would cause us to act independently of Him? Corrective?

4. Is our future redemption something we should look forward to? Why? What is your expectation of the future?

5. Where are you on the path outlined in Rom 6:22? What do you have to do to take the next  step?

If C was a marathon, most bel would still be in sight of the start line