Introduction

Context:

The early church was born during Roman empire. It was formed of 3 major people groups. Slaves, Freed people and people who were born free. The law forced that a slave and his entire generation should continue in slavery unless his master sets him free. However there were 3 possibilities.

1. The slave paying a price to his master. (Almost impossible, as slaves hardly possessed money)
2. Manumission: The Master setting him free based on good conduct. (again, no master would like to loose his slave)
3. An outsider could set him free by paying the right amount of money to the slave’s master. This was called ‘The act of redeeming’. (which was the only option).

Let me show what it was like to be a slave,

No rights (payments etc).

1. Considered as a material possession, disposable at any time (worn out).
2. The law allowed killing a slave at any time.

Just like those slaves who were in slavery to their human masters, we have been and some of us are still slaves to Satan and sin. However I must announce that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from spiritual slavery, and is willing to redeem those who need to be redeemed.

1. How am I redeemed?

A. Blood (1 Peter 1:19)

i. We have been redeemed, and you will be redeemed but not by the futile practices of our ancestors. (neither in the future), 1 Peter 1:18

ii. What was the behavior of our ancestors?

a. Enslaved to sin. In search of redemption,

b. Consulted Sooth Sayers.

c. Went in search of divinators.

d. Went after fortune tellers.

iii. But by the life sacrifice of Jesus Christ and by His blood only. (Like some one redeeming the slave by paying the price)

B. Power (Nehemiah 1:10)

i. Jesus used the power of His death and resurrection to set us free.

2. What am I redeemed from?

A. Freedom from bondage (Exodus 6:6)

i. From the bondage of sin.

ii. From the bondage of curse.

iii. From the bondage of sickness.

iv. Much more… You name it.

B. Enemy (Psalms 106:10)

i. No one can stand against you. (Joshua 1:5)

ii. If God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:28-31)

C. Iniquity (Titus 2:14)

i. Gave us His life.

ii. To make us His own.

D. Curse of the law (Galatians 3:10)

Illustration: Whipping post, slaves were punished by tying to a post and whipping. Sometimes a slave with guilty conscious would walk to the post voluntarily and wait for his master to whip him.

i. No religion or philosophy preaches evil.

ii. All roads lead to heaven…?

iii. Christianity is not just a list of do’s and don’ts.

iv. You are saved by faith, not by deeds. (Manumission:  The prospect of possible freedom through manumission encouraged most slaves to be obedient and hard working. But any master hardly released a slave for good conduct.)

v. Law destroys but grace gives life: Illustration: In 1976 when Hon. William Gopallawa was the president, a criminal named ‘Sumanapala’ was given death sentence. However Sumanapala hacked his stomach the night before the day of execution and was admitted to the hospital by the officials. The president gave the order to postpone the execution till the convicted fully recovers and eventually ordered to release him.

vi. If a man shows so much of kindness towards a criminal how much more God will do for the sinner?

3. What has the Lord redeemed for me?

A. The soul (Psalms 49:8)

i. From going to hell.

ii. The body (Romans 8:23).

a. Still to be completed. (Romans 8:24)

b. Healing from sickness. (While on this earth.)

iii. The life. (Psalms 103:4)

4. The beauty of the redemption

A. Plenteous (Psalms 130:7)

i. Merciful to everyone who comes to him.

ii. Regardless of cast, race and positions.

iii. Loves everyone.

B. Precious (Psalms 49:8)

i. The act of redemption is beyond natural comprehension.

ii. You cannot pay back God for laying down His life to redeem you.

C. Eternal (Hebrews 9:12)

i. Animal sacrifices are futile.

ii. Must be repeated.

iii. Illustration, Explain: Hindus offer animal sacrifices to Kali to gain her favor. They even have huge organized annual mass sacrifices.

iv. But Christ sacrificed himself, which is eternal, therefore no need for repetitive sacrifices.

Alter call,

Leave your old ways and come unto God, by accepting our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.