The Redeemer

I. People Need a Redeemer

A. People need redemption from their sins. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

B. The problem extends to all who descend naturally from Adam. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”(Romans 5:12)

C. The problem is universal. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

D. The abiding hope of God’s people is placed in this Redeemer. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27)

II. The Lord Jesus Christ Is the Redeemer

A. Scripture states that Jesus is the deliverer from sins or the Redeemer. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

B. Only Jesus could meet the demands of redemption. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19) “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

C. Jesus Christ is the atoning substitute for sinners. “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:6) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

D. As a man, Jesus could endure the punishment due for sin and make it possible for believers to become the children of God. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians4:4-6)

E. The Redeemer had to be God to endure the punishment. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews9:22) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

F. As both God and man, the Redeemer could mediate between God and man. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertainingto God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:16-17) “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews12:24)

III. Trust in Jesus the Redeemer

A. Changed lives experientially attest to the Biblical doctrine. “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:42)

B. Jesus fulfills what the prophets saw and promised in the Redeemer. “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43) “Havingtherefore obtained help of God, I [Paul] continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:” (Acts 26:22)

C. The life and work of Jesus testify that He is the unique Redeemer. “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” (John 5:36) “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John5:9-12)

D. God the Father personally confirmed the Redeemer. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew17:5)

E. In Jesus believers find all that Scripture promised and that they know they need. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5:11)