THOUGH PILGRIMS WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED BY A GREAT AND PRECIOUS PRICE

By Wayne Camp

PHBC April 20, 1997

Series: First Peter, Ser. #16

TEXT: I Pet. 1:18-20

INTRO: The Anabaptists sang a hymn that goes so very well with the message this morning. It goes:

Ah, God, thy children wander bare,

Though thou hast might beyond compare;

With raiment cheer their sadness,

That they may preach with gladness

To men in error's madness.

Ye people cleansed with precious blood,

Give thanks and praise alone to God;

He saves when we implore him,

And smites his foes before him,

Till worlds in awe adore him.

If we in trouble trust his name,

We need not fear a world in flame;

Our flesh, the dogs may tear it;

But he will guard the spirit

Through Christ's sufficient merit.

Lord Jesus Christ, strong Son of God,

Remember in these days of blood

Thy walls so breached and battered,

Thy church so sorely shattered,

Thy people peeled and scattered.

We thank and praise thee day by day,

And from our hearts devoutly pray

That thou woulds't now and ever

Thy prisoners' fetters sever,

And let them perish never.

Jesus is never called our Redeemer in the New Testament, even though he is called our Redeemer at least 18 times in the Old Testament. However, in the New our redemption is often attributed to him. In heaven the saints of all ages and all tribes, nations and races will sing, "Thou hast redeemed us to God." Redemption is a very important and prominent theme in the Scriptures. The need of redemption suggest a bondage.

The positive thinking modernists of this day would suggest that Isaiah needed to see a Christian counsellor and try to get a more positive image of himself. "Isaiah, my good man, you are not undone. You are not unclean. Don't condemn yourself. You are one of the finest people I know." Isaiah would answer with Job, "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall prove me perverse" (Job. 9:20). Or he might say with David, "Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me" (Psa. 38:4; 51:3).

In this message we will first consider The bondage which necessitates our redemption. Second, I will show from Scripture that Our redemption is in none other and in nothing but the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thirdly, we will look somewhat into The nature of the redemption which we have in the blood of Jesus Christ. Finally, we will note The reaction we ought to have to the blessed truth that we are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

I. THE BONDAGE WHICH NECESSITATES REDEMPTION

A. The bondage which necessitates redemption is spiritual bondage.

1. One may be born free in this United States of America but that does not, in any sense, mean that he is free spiritually.

2. One may be born in the lowest slavery but be born again by the Spirit of God and be truly free Spiritually.

3. Jesus taught us that men may have civil freedom but be in bondage spiritually. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

4. The bondage which necessitates redemption is a very real and enslaving bondage.

5. It is a bondage in sin. Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6. It is a slavery to sin. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

7. It is a very bitter bondage. Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

B. The bondage which necessitates redemption is a bondage that results first from our relation to Adam, the federal head of the human race. Romans 5:12 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 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

1. He sold us into sin. Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

2. Men compound their bondage by their own sins. 2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

C. The bondage which necessitates redemption is a bondage from which we cannot deliver ourselves.

1. We can no more lift ourselves up out of this bondage than a certain woman who was bent for 18 years could lift up herself. Luke 13:11-13 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

2. We can no more deliver ourselves from this bondage than a certain impotent man could get himself into the water at the pool of Bethesda. John 5:1-9 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

3. We can no more deliver ourselves from this bondage than dead, stinking Lazarus could deliver himself from his grave. John 11:43-44 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

4. Notice that in each instance we have cited, it is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Redemption, who set these people free.

D. This bondage which necessitates redemption is a bondage of fear. Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

II. OUR REDEMPTION IS IN NONE OTHER AND IN NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

A. Our redemption is in Jesus Christ and his blood and in none other than him and his blood. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

B. Our redemption is through the blood of Christ and not by corruptible things. 1 Peter 1:18-20 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; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

1. These Jewish Christians knew of redemption that was accomplished with silver and gold.

2. The silver that was used in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness spoke of redemption.

3. Peter assured them that mere silver and gold was not the price of their redemption.

C. Our redemption is by Christ and his blood and not by the blood of goats and calves. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

D. Our redemption is by Christ and no one else is evidenced by the fact that praise for redemption will be ascribed to no one and nothing else in heaven. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

A. As we have already seen it is a necessary redemption. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

B. This redemption is also distinguishing redemption.

1. It is for men and not at all for angels. Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

2. It is not for all men; it is for the seed of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

3. It is not for all men, it is for those who are his sheep. John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

4. It is not for all men, it is for those given to him by the Father. John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

5. Multitudes have lived and died without ever knowing of this blessed redemption.

6. Of those who have heard of it, the majority have rejected it.

C. This redemption is a manifold redemption.

1. It is redemption from the guilt of sin. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. It is redemption from the filth and power of sin. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 

3. It is redemption from all iniquity. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

D. This redemption is eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

E. This redemption includes the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

A. It should cause us to rejoice greatly now as we will most certainly do one day in glory. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

B. It should bring us great comfort if we know that Christ is our redeemer. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

C. It should cause us to live for Christ every day of our lives. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

D. It should deliver us from all fear of death. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

E. It should assure our hearts as we await the day of the redemption of our bodies. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

F. It should give us great assurance to know that our redemption is in the blood of the Lamb which God himself ordained before the foundation of the world.

CONC: Since God has ordained our redemption by the blood of Christ, and since he has ordained the blood of Christ for our redemption, we should never doubt the certainty of it. Though we are pilgrims in a world that despises us and what we preach and teach, let us not feel slighted in the least for we are redeemed with the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. How blessed we are that he would pay such a price to redeem us and make us whole again.

"Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it,

Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.

Redeemed and I cannot be silent,

His child and forever I am!

If you have never trusted him a your personal Savior, may I urge you to do so. There is no redemption from the bondage, guilt, penalty, and filthiness of sin outside the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Trust him as your Redemption, as your Redeemer. Trust anything or anyone else and you will surely perish in your sins and in hell forever.

Send E-Mail to rwcamp@gpp-5grace.com

Go to HomePage of Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church

Return to Index of Sermons on First Peter

Click here to see a complete listing of all messages on this site

This page posted on January 18, 1999 and last updated on March 04, 2011.