Sunday Preview: Redeemed by Blood

As we seek a basic understanding of God's blueprint for rescuing us from sin, the passage from Ephesians 1:3-14 stands out prominently. Here Paul beautifully outlines God’s plan spanning past, present, and future interventions to bring about our redemption. Ephesians 1:6-10 addresses our present status, focusing particularly on the concept of redemption and its significance in the process toward holiness and blamelessness.

The Theological Foundation of Redemption
Theologically, redemption is defined as an act of God in which He pays the price for sin—a price necessitated by the affront sin poses to His holiness. This deliverance comes at the cost of a ransom. Hebrews 2:14-15 teaches that Jesus was born to die, his ultimate purpose being to settle this required price through His life.

Jesus: Our Redeemer
Ephesians 1:6b introduces us to "the Beloved," a title bestowed upon Jesus, reflecting His unique status as the Son of God. God has favored or endowed us with grace in Jesus, the Beloved. By His sacrifice, we have been made acceptable before God—an act accomplished only through divine intervention.

The Act and Price of Redemption
Our redemption is not merely a theological concept but a real action completed through Jesus's shed blood. As we ponder our former condition, as described in various parts of Ephesians, the magnitude of this redemption becomes even more striking.

The Price: His Blood
Romans 6:23 starkly reminds us that "the wages of sin is death," a penalty that should have been ours to pay. Justice demanded our lives, but instead, God provided a substitute—His Son. 1 Peter 1:18 and Revelation 5:9-10 further illustrate the depth of this.

The Results: Forgiveness and Wisdom
What does redemption bring? It brings the forgiveness of our trespasses, which means a total release and dismissal of our sins from God's consideration, as promised in Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, and 1 John. Alongside forgiveness, we are granted wisdom and insight—gifts that enrich our understanding of life, God, and our daily existence.

The Purpose Behind Redemption
The overarching purpose behind all these divine actions is revealed in Ephesians 1:9-10, God’s ultimate plan to unify all things in Christ. God is calling you to reflect deeply on His gift's nature and live out the reality of this redemption in every aspect of your life.

As you prepare for Sunday, answer these five questions:

• How does understanding the concept of redemption through the blood of Jesus change your personal relationship with God?
• How does Romans 6:23 shape your understanding of the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice?
• What does it mean to be "favored" in the context of Ephesians 1:6? How does this favor manifest in your daily life?
• How does this concept of divine forgiveness influence your feelings about guilt and past mistakes?
• How have the wisdom and insight that God pours out upon us helped you in practical ways in your daily decisions and relationships? 

OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt
SONG LEADER
Titus Sullivan
PRAYER OF PRAISE
John Key
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Russ Robins
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Collin Schofield
Tommy Ray
Joel Zehring
Chris Terrian
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Hoopes
Ephesians 1:6-10
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Paul Braden
CLOSING COMMENTS
Rich Walker
WELCOME CENTER
Tina Jacobs /
USHERS
Billy Robbins / David Williams
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Dru McLaughlin
COMMUNION PREP
Marilyn Sims
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Mike Rosato