Evangelist Dr. Michael Alimo Central Columbus Church of Christ (Minister) ccchurchofchrist.org
}Understanding the love of Christ gives us a deeper meaning that Christianity is all about love. }Sometimes most Christianity do not completely understand God s purpose.
}Most of us are never caught up on to the true meaning of His teaching }As a result, many Christians are living through the deception of sin, thinking they are save but not.
}Christ gave it all to save us }Christ died for our sins in order to Redeem us, 1 Cor 15:3-4.
Redemption is the only reason Christ died and we need to appreciate His sacrifice through obedience to His word.
}There are at least three words in the Bible which are translated redeem.
}In Luke 1:68 Luke records that John the Baptist s father, Zechariah said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.
}The Greek word used there for redeemed is (λύτρω) or (λύτρωσις) redemption and has a literal meaning of to ransom, to deliver, to pay a price or to rescue.
} That is exactly what Jesus has done by giving His own life over 2,000 years ago at Calvary. } 1. (ἀγοράζω) 1 Cor 6:20. One other meaning is to buy or purchase from the marketplace (ἀγορά). (ἠγοράσθητε, Aorist Indicative)
} Change of ownership } The concept is seen in the purchase of a slave. } A slave is bought to be owned as property. } Christ redeemed us in this sense so that we belong to Him.
} 2. ἀπολύτρωσις Luke 21:28;. Another word translated redeemed means to rebuy something from someone for another purpose } Buying back, re-purchasing, to release after paying a ransom. } In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, Col 1:14, Rom 3:24
We are re-purchased by Christ from the bondage of sin for the purpose of freedom in Him. } 3 (λύτρωσις) Luke 1:68.The third word which has already discussed carries the idea of a purchase that pays off a debt. } A price that is necessary to secure the freedom of someone or something. } Christ paid our sin debt Titus 2:14
GOD wages of sin is death Rom 6:23 Sin Separates us from God, Isaiah:59:2 Separated from the life of God, Eph 4:18
}Sin can only be paid by innocent blood, Heb 9:22 }To understand perfectly how Christ loves us, let s look back briefly how Sin had been dealt with during the Old Testament times.
}A day is appointed called the Day of Atonement (Reconciliation) to deal with sin }Male Animals without blemish were used, Lev 1:2-3
The High Priest s Garment of Righteousness Exod 28:8 "And the intricately woven band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold blue purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen." He wore special garments, had a crown, and a breastplate which contained the urim and the thummim before he entered the holy of holies
} Sprinkle the Ark seven times with the blood to symbolize full and perfect mercy and forgiveness
} The Tabernacle
}Blood of animals cannot deal with sin }Christ came to shed his blood to deal with sin permanently. }The blood of Jesus is better, superior, etc
}Jesus gave himself for us an offering }In order to redeem us, reconcile us to God }Jesus gave himself for our sins so that He might deliver us from this present world
}Sin can only be cleanse by innocent blood }Jesus did just that with his blood
Eph 2:13 & 16 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ....16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Col 1:20 NIV and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Rom 6:3 NIV Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 1 John 5:6 & 8 NIV This is the one who came by water and blood-- Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth....8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. The contact with the blood, water and the Holy Spirit takes away the power of SIN
}Christ replaced the two goats in Leviticus 16:15-22 }Jesus was killed and his blood used for sin offering }Jesus was the scapegoat that was sent into the wilderness
He carry our heavy sins on the Cross The sin was too heavy God could not look down it. God caused darkness over the earth for three hours.
God turned His face from the heavy sins on His Son Jesus then said, Father why has thou forsaken me God has forsaken His son at that moment because of you and me.
Significance of Christ s Death We have access to the Mercy s seat of God We know longer need bulls and goats to remove our sins. Christ s death brought us salvation and we have been redeemed.
Significance of Christ s Death It gives us the access to the presence of God and that is why we are here today in His presence It made us righteous because he remembers our sins no more. We have grace for a second chance so that when we sin and repent our sins are forgiven.
} He bears all our sins } He does not condemn those who do evil but He wishes that they all come to repentance } Evil doers condemn themselves if they refuse to repent, Mark 16:15-16 } When we were sinners He did not condemn us
}True Christianity is about portraying God s love }Love is not compromising with sin or evil because he is my friend or brother }It is about honesty and truthfulness
}It is about showing God s love to others, 1 John 4:20 }We don t say love, we show it }It was love that set the early Christians apart in the world, Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32-34
}Love just as Christ loves you }When you were a sinner Christ loved you. }Give all out by loving others in order to bring them to Christ.
} A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another John 13:34 } YOU HAVE BEEN REDEEMED TO LOVE!!! } Ἡ φιλαδελφία µενέτω, Heb 13:1