You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse UConn. Here's this week's message. Here is the moment. Jesus is hanging on the cross, beaten, bleeding, moments away from death. On one side, a man mocks him. On the other, another man, a criminal, guilty, condemned, and whispers, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
That man had nothing to offer, no chance to fix his past, no good deeds to balance the scales, just a desperate plea for mercy. And what does Jesus say? Today you will be with me in paradise. That is redemption. Right there, in the final moments of his life, Jesus pays the price and sets a sinner free.
The cross becomes the place where death meets forgiveness, where guilt meets grace. Welcome to Mountain View Church. My name is Herbert. I'm the children's pastor. The message for today is part of our series, Identity, and it's called Redeemed in Him. And to be redeemed in Him means that our identity, our value, our freedom, everything that defines us is now found in Jesus Christ.
We are no longer defined by our past, but by his payment. No longer bound by sin, but embraced by grace. So when Paul says, in him we have redemption, he is not talking about a distant theological idea. He is describing the same miracle that happened on that cross. Sinners set free by the blood of Jesus.
Let's unpack what that redemption really means for us today. My name is Cornelia. Our scripture reading is from Ephesians 1, 1-8. If you have a physical Bible, you can use the table of contents in the front to locate the book of Ephesians. If you have a mobile device, you can download a Bible app or use the search function at Bible.com. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight. Beginning in verse 3, we see the apostle offers a prayer in which he proposes God's eternal plan of salvation, presenting the work of redemption from a Trinitarian perspective. Therefore, we have in verses 3 to 6 that we are chosen by the Father, verses 7 to 12 that we are saved by the Son, and in verses 13 to 14 that we are sealed by the Spirit.
So, let's read again Ephesians 1, verses 7 to 8. Verse 7. Now, Ephesians chapter 1 verses 7 to 8 is one of the key sections where Paul explains how the benefits of being elected and adopted by God, described in verses 4 and 6 that Jeremy talked last week, are applied through the redemptive work of Christ. The concept of redemption that we find in these two verses includes the following elements. Rescue from the slavery of sin.
forgiveness of sins, God's grace, and unity in Christ. So let's begin to unfold these two verses. Number one, rescue from the slavery of sin. And verse seven starts with this. In him, we have redemption through his blood. Originally, redeem meant to purchase the freedom of a slave or to free a prisoner through the payment of a price. In the first century, slaves and prisoners were important for economical, social, political, and diplomatic reasons, especially during the first century that the Roman Empire ruled most of the known world.
And as we can imagine, finding redemption was as important then as it is now. And to understand this concept of redemption mentioned in the Bible, we must look at the meaning of the word in the Koine Greek used by Paul when he wrote this. The word redemption in Greek is translated as apolitrosis. whose meaning comes from a root, that is litro, which means to free through the payment of a price, in this case, the blood shed by Jesus on the cross, and the prefix eipo that intensifies the meaning, indicating a complete or definitive liberation. According to this definition, the price of our liberation from the slavery of sin and death was paid once and for all through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Only Christ could make this payment with his blood. And this is not a symbolic act. It is real and substitutionary sacrifice. The price paid for our sins. Redemption is not just a possibility. It is a present reality for those who are in Christ. Then we have forgiveness of sin. And verse 7 keeps going and says, the forgiveness of our trespasses.
Forgiveness is the complete cancellation of the moral debt and is inseparably linked to redemption. One implies the other, or in other words, we need to be redeemed in order to be forgiven. And there are three key elements that make up the idea of the concept of forgiveness. The exoneration of wrongdoing, the non-imputation of sin, and forgiveness per se. So, the exoneration of wrongdoing, indicating the release or cancellation of moral and spiritual death before God. If guilt has been holding you back from receiving God's forgiveness, know this. In His presence, that guilt has already been lifted. You are invited to step into the freedom He offers. Because there is non-imputation of sin.
And it's expressed in Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 19, portion B, where he says, not counting their trespasses against them. And this means God, in his grace, decided not to hold our sins against us. God chooses not to attribute guilt to humanity. and forgiveness, the full and unconditional pardon of every offense. Declared in Colossians 2, verse 13, portion B, where it says, Having forgiven you, all trespasses. And this verse underscores the totality and completion work of God's redemptive grace in Christ, where no sin remains unforgiven and no guilt remains unaddressed.
Forgiveness, according to Scripture, is not superficial or conditional, but a profound work of grace that completely erases guilt and restores communion with God. It is intimately linked to redemption. For in Christ, we are granted the remission of our faults, the non-imputation of sins, and a new life marked by total forgiveness. Keep this in mind. Forgiveness not only liberates, but transforms. And then we have grace of God. And at the end of verse 7 and verse 8, we found this. According to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight. We do not receive redemption by our own righteousness, but by abundant grace. And the Greek word grace, haris, literally means unmerited favor.
free benevolence, or an earned gift. In the biblical context, it refers to God's goodness and favor toward human beings, especially expressed in salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul frequently uses it to speak of God's sovereign act in saving the undeserving sinner. So according to the definition of grace, we can understand that the riches of His grace do not indicate something limited, but rather something full, abundant, and overflowing. But it's important to understand that God not only gives grace, but distributes it with wisdom and intelligence or prudence, and His plan is intentional, not improvised.
Grace is not arbitrary. It is intentional, wise, and perfectly applied by God to our lives. Everything is integrated into the divine plan of salvation. And finally, we have unity in Christ. The expression in Him, in verse 7, is another way used by Paul to say in Christ on more than 25 occasions in his letters as part of his theology.
It is not just a rhetorical formula, but a profound declaration of identity and spiritual position. Unity in Christ implies the following. Spiritual union in Christ. Louis Berkhoff put it this way. This union is spiritual, intimate, and vital, by which Christ becomes the source of life, strength, salvation, and blessedness for the believer.
In Him, we also have redemption and justification. Paul affirms that in Him, we have redemption through His blood. Therefore, all the benefits of salvation, forgiveness, adoption, sanctification are received by being united to Christ. In Him, we have a new identity. In Galatians 2, verse 20, Paul says, It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And this shows that the believer's life is completely transformed by this union and eternal election. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 teaches that we were chosen in him before the foundation of the world, implying that this union is rooted in God's eternal will.
The expression in him, used by Paul, is not a simple theological phrase, but a powerful statement that reveals the essence of Christian life, a spiritual and inseparable union with Christ. This relationship radically transforms the believer's identity, being the source of redemption, justification, new life, and eternal purpose. From divine election, before creation, to believers' daily experience, since the very beginning, everything in salvation revolves around being in Him or in Christ. This series is called Identity. Many people think about what they do, where they come from, or what others say about them. But as followers of Christ, our true identity is not defined by our past, our failures, or even our achievements.
It is defined by what Jesus has done for us through his redemption. Understanding who we are in Christ changes everything. It changes how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live each day. Through redemption, God has given us a new name, a new position, and a new purpose. To truly grasp our identity through the redemption we have in Christ, it is helpful to reflect on three central truths that tell us who we are in Him. Number one, we are redeemed. We are no longer slaves, but free in Christ. Before, we were enslaved to sin under condemnation.
Now we have been bought with a price, the blood of Christ. We are free, not by our own merits, but by the work of Christ. This means we are not defined by our past, our addictions, or our failures, but by the freedom Christ purchased for us. Number two, we are forgiven. We are no longer guilty, but declare righteous before God.
Before, guilt, shame, and separation from God were our natural state. Now, we have received total and eternal forgiveness. We are not forgiven because we repent perfectly, but because God's grace in Christ made us in our imperfection. We don't have to live trying to earn God's forgiveness. We already have it in Christ.
And number three, we are accepted and loved. We are covered by God's abundant grace. Before, we were unworthy and separated. Now, God has lavished grace on us, not with little measure, but with superabundance. We are loved, accepted, and blessed because God has chosen in His wisdom to pour out His grace upon us.
Your identity does not depend on how much others love you, but on how much God loves you. The message of Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8, is not only a theological truth to be understood, but a spiritual reality to be lived. As believers, we were redeemed not by our own merit, but by the blood of Christ. And this completely changes our identity and way of life. We no longer live under condemnation, but in freedom. Because our sins have been forgiven, we should not carry past guilt that Christ has already paid for. Our lives should reflect gratitude, not seeking to earn God's favor, but living in response to His superabundant grace.
We must remain united to Christ, for apart from Him there is no redemption, direction, or purpose. Only in Him we do have life, strength, and eternal purpose. And we must extend that grace, being agents of forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation, because whoever has been forgiven must also forgive. In Him we have redemption through His blood. the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight. That's what Ephesians 1, verses 7 and 8 says. And perhaps you realize that you've never personally received Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you have not yet experienced this new identity in Christ. You've heard about Him, maybe even believed Him from a distance, but today you sense that He is calling you closer.
Here is something you need to consider taking this step of faith. Jesus already paid the full price for your freedom. Through his blood, you can be completely forgiven and made new. You don't have to carry guilt or shame any longer. Redemption is not a religious theory. It is God's personal offer of love to you. Today can be the day you experience God's redemption and begin a new life in Christ.
If today you want to receive the forgiveness of your sins, if you want to be set free from the slavery of sin and begin a new life in Christ, I invite you to pray with me, not as a formula, but as the sincere expression from your heart. Pray like this. Lord Jesus, I recognize that I have lived apart from you and that I'm a sinner in need of your forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your blood on the cross to pay for my sins and to redeem me from the slavery of sin. Today, I open my heart to you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your grace, for forgiving me completely and for giving me a new identity in you. From this day on, help me to walk in your freedom, to live according to your will, and to grow in your love.
In your name I pray. Amen. If you pray that prayer, the Bible declares that you are now in Christ, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. You are no longer defined by your past, but by His grace. And for all of us who already belong to Him, being redeemed in Him is not just a theological concept. It is a new identity, a new life, a new hope.
Let us then live up to this redemption rooted in Christ, trusting in His grace and transformed by His love. Thank you so much for joining us today. I would like to invite you to connect with Mountain View Church at mountainview.church.com or send us a message through social media at Mountain View Whitehorse. Also, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel. Turn on the notification and you'll see the new videos every week.
If you have kids, we offer a kids program called Basecamp during our three services. And for an online option, you can visit mountainview.church slash basecamp to download the video lessons and activities. Now take a minute with us. Here is what is new. Hey, senior youth. Ruben and I are here to let you know about your next senior youth event happening on November 9th. So you can start thinking about it now.
That's right, we're going to transform the church into a mini golf course. Usually in a mini golf course you use a golf club, but this time you're not allowed to bring a golf club, but you are responsible for bringing a golf club implement that you will use to play mini golf. Examples to give you some ideas are a hiking pole, or a rubber mallet, a fly fishing rod, or your dad's snow brush, or a paddle, or a two by four could work, or even an old ski. And maybe you even want to take a wooden spoon to some bike handlebars. So you can also feel free to dress in your best golf attire as Ruben and I have. And we will see you on November 9th. Yeah, see you there on November 9th. It's going to be a hole in one. Come back next week. Pastor Jeremy will be back and talking in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 9 about the purpose in Him. Now it's time for our time of discussion and prayer focus. Set a few minutes to talk about it with your family, all friends. Go for a coffee and pray together. Here is the question.
What does it mean to you personally to be redeemed in Him? And for the prayer for this week, thank Jesus for redeeming you and ask Him to help you extend the same grace you receive. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day. If you pray to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse Dupont.