Jesus the Evangelist

III. Redemption

The third part of Jesus’ evangelistic sermon involves redemption. This compound word means “to depart from and be released to.” When one repents of his sins, he departs from the enslavement of sin and is released to freedom in Christ. Paul used “in Christ” 144 times in his writings. On the road to Damascus, he departed from his enslavement of sin and was released to a new freedom found only in Christ. He stated it this way in his Letter to the Ephesians (NKJV), “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

When I was a little boy, the grocery stores gave stamps with the purchase of groceries. Our particular stamps were called S&H Green Stamps. They also gave you a catalogue filled with all kinds of merchandise. When you saved up enough stamps for whatever you wanted, you would take the books of stamps to a redemption store, lay them on the counter and exchange them for your gift. One day the Son of God stretched Himself out on the counter of humanity on an old rugged cross and offered redemption to any who would confess Him as Lord and Savior. No stamps required. Redemption is free, but it is not cheap. That which frees you also enslaves you. Redemption involves the choice to make Jesus the Lord and Master of your life. Therefore, you become His slave. No one is free. We are all slaves to that which governs and controls our lives.

IV. Response

Every sermon should include a well-thought-out, targeted invitation. Jesus simply said, “Repent.” His listeners knew they were faced with a decision. They were free to choose. They were not free not to choose. And they were not free to choose the consequences of their choice. The same is true today. When confronted with the claims of Christ, listeners must make a choice. They will either repent and be regenerated through the redemption of Jesus, or they will walk away. Your responsibility and mine is to be as faithful in our proclamation as was Jesus. He preached His first sermon not as a teacher but as an evangelist. We must be willing to do the same.