A Series of Studies on the foundational Doctrines of the Gospel

Part III In Him we have Redemption (Ephesians 1:7)

III.1. The Nature of Redemption: “in Him”

1. The Source of Redemption: the Character of God

• Holiness is the biggest thing that can be said about God (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
• In an environment of purity, his holiness expresses itself in love and blessing, but in an environment of sin, his holiness expresses itself in wrath and judgment. It is this fact which made Calvary necessary.

“A study of the concordance will show that there are more references in Scripture to the anger, fury and wrath of God than there are to his love and tenderness.” A.W.Pink

• This does not mean that God is more wrathful than loving; it merely reflects the fact that his holiness meets us as sinners.

2. The Shadow of Redemption: the Ceremonies of the Jews

In the Jewish sacrificial system, we see both the Person of Christ (a sinless living being) and the Work of Christ (a sacrifice):

a) Substitution

b) Atonement

c) Propitiation - God’s wrath is appeased; but not by what we do for him - rather by what he himself does for us!

d) Reconciliation

3. The Substance of Redemption: the Cross of Christ

a) Our substitute

• He lived the life we could never live: representative saint
• He died the death we could never die: representative sinner

b) God’s sacrifice

c) Ultimate reconciliation

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (“All this is from God.”)