22-3-15 Redemption Response

Redemption Response

Summary: How will you respond to the redemption Jesus secured at Calvary? 

Date: 22, March 2015

Series: The Resurrection and  The Redeemed 

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

Scripture Reading

Let us rise to our feet and read Matthew 26:47-56

⁴⁷ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

⁴⁸ Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

⁵¹ And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

⁵⁴ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

⁵⁵ In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

⁵⁶ But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

 

This is the word of God. Thanks be to the LORD. May the sweet Holy Spirit add His manifold blessings to our text this morning ....  Amen! You may be seated in God's Presence.

Introduction

I heard this story from a preacher from my Childhood. Ill. The Boy Who Lost His Boat - Tom carried his new boat to the edge of the river. He carefully placed it in the water and slowly let out the string. It sailed smoothly on the water! Tom sat in the warm sunshine, admiring the little boat that he had built. Suddenly a strong current caught the boat. Tom tried to pull it back to shore, but the string broke. The little boat raced downstream. Tom ran along the sandy shore as fast as he could. But his little boat soon slipped out of sight. All afternoon he searched for the boat. Finally, when it was too dark to look any longer, Tom sadly went home. A few days later, on the way home from school, Tom spotted a boat just like his in a store window. When he got closer, he could see -- sure enough -- it was his! Tom hurried to the store manager: "Sir, that's my boat in your window! I made it!" "Sorry, son, but someone else brought it in this morning. If you want it, you'll have to buy it for one dollar." Tom ran home and counted all his money. Exactly one dollar! When he reached the store, he rushed to the counter. "Here's the money for my boat." As he left the store, Tom hugged his boat and said, "Now you're twice mine. First, I made you and now I bought you."

I stand before you today as one who was made by Jesus and bought by Him!

Phil Cross penned a beautiful song about redemption, it says:

“I was a slave in a foreign land”

“So very far from the Father’s loving hand”
“He rescued me, one glorious day”
“He brought me out and paid a debt I could not pay”
“I am redeemed”
“Jesus loosed the chains of sin and set me free”
“I am redeemed”

Sermon

Redemption is defined as atonement for human sin. It is the deliverance from sin that was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 says we have redemption through {Jesus} blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; The Greek word for redemption is (apolutrōsis -ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis) which is literally translated “paid in full”. When Jesus cried on the cross, "It is finished"… He used a word that meant "paid in full." - “It is finished” - (teleō - tel-eh'-o) to end, complete, concluded, to pay fully. This speaks of discharging a debt. This is the same word that would be stamped across bills when they were paid. Jesus stamped “paid in full” on my sin debt at Calvary.

There are requirements for being a redeemer… Jesus alone was qualified to redeem us.

1) The redeemer must be a blood relative of the one who was to be redeemed. Jesus Christ is our blood relative; He is true humanity.

2) The redeemer must be willing to redeem. (Deuteronomy 25:7-10). Christ voluntarily left heaven to pay the price for our sins, (Philippians 2:5-8)

3) The redeemer must be able to redeem. He must be able to pay the redemption price. Only Jesus Christ could pay the price of our redemption; only He was perfect and without sin.

4) The redeemer must be free himself from the calamity from which he must free his kinsman. Jesus Christ, because He was free from sin, could pay the redemption price.

5) The redeemer must act to pay the redemption price. This is what Jesus did at Calvary.

1 John 2:2 says that {Jesus} is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ... According to that verse you have the opportunity to experience redemption first hand. My question is this “How will you respond to the redemption Jesus secured at Calvary?

In our selected text we see a tragic event. Jesus has been crying out to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. His disciples whom He had told to watch and pray were fast asleep. And now Judas comes with a band of soldiers to betray Him. Jesus was and is the Redeemer, I want to look at this event and preach on the subject “Redemption Response” I want to begin with the question:

I. WILL YOU REJECT THE REDEEMER? 

V. 47. 47 and while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

By this point Jesus was no stranger to rejection. He was rejected at birth and from that point forward. He was rejected by the Jews, (Pharisees, Sadducees), and the Gentiles. There are countless occasions in the Gospels that record people rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. Here Judas arrives with “a great multitude with swords and staves” This multitude was sent by the “chief priests and the elders of the people”. The world still rejects Jesus today. Many would tell you that there are “many ways to Heaven”. They believe that the story of Christ is a myth or a fairytale. Then there are some who actually do believe the Bible. They believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” They have had ample opportunity to respond positively to His redemption. Yet they continue to reject Him time and time again.

You may be one who has rejected Jesus, if so you are in danger of eternal condemnation. There is only one way for you to escape the eternal lake of fire and that is through Jesus’ redemption! Friend, don’t reject redemption today! There is another question that I would like to ask… “Will You Betray The Redeemer”?

I. WILL YOU REJECT THE REDEEMER?

II. WILL YOU BETRAY THE REDEEMER? 

 

This is actually intertwined with “Rejecting The Redeemer” because those that would betray the Redeemer are rejecting Him.

VV.48-50 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

This whole event is hard for me to comprehend. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss… how devious! And he did it for a mere 30 pieces of silver. (an estimated 4 months wage) 

Consider the life Judas had lived: 

Judas was numbered with the other disciples. He had traveled with them… talked with them… lived with them!

People recognized him as one of Christ’s followers.

When it came time to betray Christ, Judas knew exactly where to find Him!

Judas had been with Jesus and the others in this place several times before.

Judas had witnessed the character and compassion of Christ.

He heard Jesus’ words and saw His works.

Judas knew the plan of salvation!

Judas was present with the Messiah for over 3 years.

Judas could have been redeemed but he chose to focus on the present instead of the eternal.

There are many people in church today who, like Judas, live lives filled with contradictions. You appear to have honorable intentions You seem to care about the work of the ministry. You play the game, talk the talk and in many ways walk the walk. But eventually your true colors will be revealed - One day you will stand before the Christ you professed to know and you will hear the dreadful words “…Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”

Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are born again? Don’t live your life with a “hope so” mentality… you can have a “KNOW SO” REDEMPTION! Again I ask, How will you respond to redemption though Jesus Christ? Now I want to ask a question to those who are saved: WILL YOU DEFEND THE REDEEMER?

I. WILL YOU REJECT THE REDEEMER?

II. WILL YOU BETRAY THE REDEEMER?

III. WILL YOU DEFEND THE REDEEMER?

VV.51-52. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

There were some present who were surrendered followers of Jesus. I am sure they were furious at the thought that one of their own had betrayed their Master. They were devastated at the thought of Him being seized and arrested. And (as usual) Peter decided to take matters into his own hands. He grabs his sword and cuts off the “servant of the high priest’s ear” Many commentators speculate that Peter was actually aiming to cut of his head and missed. In Luke’s Gospel we read that Jesus reached down and put the man’s ear back on the man. (Someone asked “What if Peter had succeeded in cutting off his head?” I believe that Jesus would have put it back on as well!)

Jesus rebuked Peter for this act - v.52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Peter may not have done the right thing but I believe we can learn from his defense of Jesus. Like many times in the scriptures Peter had the best intentions but he went about things the wrong way. We should not sit back and allow our Savior to be attacked and not stand for Him. What we can take away from this event is that if we are going to stand for Jesus we must do it the right way.

Jesus is under attack in India (and rest of the world especially in USA) today. Obviously we should take a stand and defend Him. But many times we act in the flesh while defending spiritual things. We are to take a stand but we are to act in love - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.14 and do everything with love.

Too many Christians feel that they are justified in their hatred against sinners and those who would persecute Christ and His cause. (Ex. Graham Staines). We need to look no further than Jesus Himself for the proper way to respond when facing persecution: As they crucified Him He cried - “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34

Will you stand and defend the Redeemer? I hope you will! Today, more than ever we need Christians who will stand up for Jesus!

“Stand up, Stand up for Jesus”

“Ye Soldiers of the Cross”

“Lift high the royal banner”

“It must not suffer loss”

Jesus is under attack today… STAND but do so His way and not your own! Here is another question for the believer:WILL YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE REDEEMER?

 

I. WILL YOU REJECT THE REDEEMER?

II. WILL YOU BETRAY THE REDEEMER?

III. WILL YOU DEFEND THE REDEEMER?

 

IV. WILL YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE REDEEMER? 

VV. 53-54. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

After Jesus rebuke’s Peter for his actions He goes on to explain the great power at His disposal. He said “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for 12 legions of angels?” A legion consisted of 6,000. Jesus is saying that He could call more than 72,000 angels if He desired. Though He had this power, He refused to use it because His will was to glorify the Father Who sent Him. - John 12:27-28. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Notice what Jesus said in V.54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Jesus didn’t call the legions of angels because the scriptures must be fulfilled! Jesus didn’t call the legions of angels because of His love for you and me! Jesus didn’t call the legions of angels in order to save us from our sins! I think it is safe to say that Peter underestimated the power of his Master. Many times we do the same thing; we underestimate the power of our Redeemer.

We look at the condition of the world around us and wring our hands and say “Oh no, what are we going to do?” Things are on a rapid downward spiral and sometimes we feel that we have no hope. We have a tendency to look at the problem instead of looking at the POWER OF THE SAVIOR! here is an occasion in scripture where Jesus is speaking of the end times and He tells His listeners - ... {when these things come to pass} look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28... Folk’s things are BAD; they may get worse… LOOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR EYES TO THE REDEEMER!

People will ask “Why doesn’t the Lord just come and get His people and take us home?” Because HE has a plan that is greater than our plan! And because there are still people in this world who need a REDEEMER!! Don’t underestimate The Power of the Redeemer! There is one last question I would like to ask concerning the “Redemption Response” This is another question for the believer: WILL YOU ABANDON THE REDEEMER?

I. WILL YOU REJECT THE REDEEMER?

II. WILL YOU BETRAY THE REDEEMER?

III. WILL YOU DEFEND THE REDEEMER?

IV. WILL YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE REDEEMER?

V. WILL YOU ABANDON THE REDEEMER?

 

VV.55-56. 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Jesus asked His persecutors, “Am I some dangerous criminal, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. Look close to the last part of V.56 “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled”. Judas has betrayed Him and bow the rest flee in fear. They abandoned the Savior! Peter just cut a man’s ear off defending Jesus and now he is gone away and soon will deny Him 3 times. John, The devoted apostle of Love and the others have gone as well. These men had spent 3 years watching miracle after miracle. For 3 years they had heard the teachings of Jesus. They had seen him cast out demons, heal the sick and cleanse lepers. They had even seen Him raise people from the dead but now feared for their lives. Things got tough and they abandoned their Master!

This abandonment was the fulfillment of what Jesus had said in v.1 {Jesus said} All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Jesus experienced the most horrific agony that any man has ever faced. And those who were His closest friends abandoned Him! If you are here and you have been saved you have experienced the redemption that I speak of today.

• The betrayal of Judas
• The denial from Peter
• The rejection
• Te false trial
• The mocking
• The scourging
• The pain of the cross

Invitation And The Final Challenge

He did it all for you! He sacrificed His life to save you from your sins He has delivered you from Hell. He has promised you a home in Heaven He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. HE LOVES YOU! Will you abandon Him when things get rough? Better yet, have you already abandoned your Redeemer? So many people proclaim to be devoted followers of Christ and then when tragedy happens or persecution begins they walk away from Him.

Friend, Jesus didn’t walk away from God’s plan when we faced such great agony in the Garden. He didn’t call that legion of angels to deliver Him. Though all the disciples left Him, He persevered. He faced everything He faced in order to provide us with redemption!

Colossians 1:13-14. 13.{God has} delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Each person here today must now make a choice. You must choose how you will respond to redemption. 

For the saved person … 

How Will You Respond To The Redeemer? Will You Defend Him? Will You Underestimate Him? Will You Abandon Him? (Or have you already?) 

 

For The Lost Person… 

How Will You Respond To The Redeemer? Will You Reject Him?

Remember the story of the little boy who lost his boat. When He bought it back He said “Now you're twice mine. First, I made you and now I bought you." God made you and He has bought you… 

WILL YOU ACCEPT HIS OFFER OF REDEMPTION TODAY?

“He sought you”

“And He bought you”

“With His redeeming blood”

What will be your “Redemption Response"