The Living Redeemer

Text: Psalm 49

 

I.         When we get ourselves into difficulties, most of us depend on our family to help us out

            A.        I Timothy 5:8 - A Christian is to provide for his own.

            B.        Proverbs 17:17 - A brother is born for adversity

II.        In the days of the Old Law a kinsman had the duty of rescuing family members from difficulties, such as paying off debts or making ransom payments or avenging a relative’s wrongful death.

            A.        Leviticus 25:23-25 - A relative is to buy back (redeem) land that was sold to cover debts.

            B.        If a man becomes so poor that he must sell himself, his relatives were to buy him back - Leviticus 25:47-49

            C.        When a man was killed, a relative was selected to be the avenger of the murdered man’s blood. The word translated “avenger” is the same one translated “redeemer” in other passages - Numbers 35:10-12, 15-19

            D.        Seen in throughout the story of Ruth - Ruth 4:1-15

III.       It is important to understand this concept because we have gotten ourselves into deep trouble.

            A.        We have all sinned - Romans 3:9-20, 23

            B.        Our sins have justly earned us the penalty of death - Romans 6:23

            C.        Who, then, can cover our debt? How can we extract ourselves from the bondage we have sold ourselves into? - Romans 6:16, 19-21

                        1.         The redemption of our souls is costly - Psalm 49:7-9

                        2.         You cannot buy redemption with money because wealth will not follow you into death - Psalm 49:16-17

                        3.         Think about it. We have already sold our souls to the devil. What else do we possess? What could we possibly offer?

                        4.         But where we are powerless, God is able to redeem - Psalm 49:15

IV.      God is our Father. Jesus, His Son, is our elder brother

            A.        God made us in His blessed image - Genesis 1:26-27

                        1.         God is a spirit - John 4:24

                        2.         We. too, are spiritual beings - Psalms 100:3, Isaiah 64:8

                        3.         God is righteous and we were made righteous, though we squandered our gift - Ecclesiastes 7:29

            B.        God wants us to claim our kinship

                        1.         We cannot be ashamed of our relationship - Mark 8:38

                        2.         We must confess our savior - Matthew 10:32-33

            C.        God sent His Son as our redeemer - Galatians 4:3-5

                        1.         Where even an angel could not redeem, God found a redeemer in His own Son - Job 33:19-30

                        2.         He was the only appropriate one - Hebrews 2:9-11

                        3.         Our own brother bought us back from the misery we sold ourselves into. What incredible love was shown for us!

            D.        But the price of that redemption was unimaginably high - I Peter 1:17-19

                        1.         It was through Christ’s blood that we have redemption - Ephesians 1:7-8

                        2.         He redeemed us from our sins - Titus 2:11-14

V.        Jesus paid the debt with His death, but he did not remain dead

            A.        Job foresaw this wonder - Job 19:23-27

                        1.         Job had a full and firm persuasion that his redeemer lives. I know he lives.

                        2.         Job knew that one day he would see his redeemer and the very thought made him feel faint.

            B.        Not only was Jesus given life, but He is able to give life to others - John 5:21-29

            C.        It is the core of our belief - I Corinthians 15:12-14, 20

                        1.         It is not just that a death paid for our sins, but that the one who died was given eternal life and will give us life with him one day.

            D.        I Corinthians 15:54-58 - Thanks be to God for our Redeemer and our redemption.