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Main point summary

In Christ alone believers have redemption along with the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ because of the immeasurable grace of God.

In Christ Alone

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Ephesians 1:7

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q In him

we have r redemption

s through his blood,

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t the forgiveness of our trespasses,

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u according to the riches of his grace,

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Bible Study Outine

Bible Study Outline Intro: We have all done a wrongful deed to someone in our lives. Whether we did a bad act toward a friend, family member, wife, husband, boss at work, or neighbor. We try so desperately to work our way back in love to be back on good terms again with one another. Some people seek to be on good terms for wrong reasons. For example, a husband wants to be on good terms with the wife so that he can have a good dinner in the evening when he comes back from work. The husband doesn't want the loving relationship back. He just wants his stomach satisfied. That is not a good reason to be on good terms with someone. We want the loving bond back together. We want to redeem ourselves from the wrong we have done through good works toward that person in love. If you would like to share, have you ever experienced this in your life? (Read the passage) In this book we have the gospel truths (imperatives) revealed in chapters 1-3. We also see based the actions called for (indicatives) based on these truths in chapters 4-6. In chapter 1, Paul's could hold back his tongue. He could not contain himself in praising God in verses 3-14. Throughout the verses Paul starts with worship towards the Triune God, why we worship the Triune God, and expounds on those reasons. We also see the triune work in the text from verses 3-14. From chapter 1 verses 4-6 we see the work of the Father. Also in 7-12 we see the work of the Son. Finally we see the work of the Spirit in 13-14. The Triune God works in perfect harmony for the same purpose. So in the verse before us, let us consider what God the Son has done for us and what we have in Him alone. I hope in the end of this study we end in praise for the Triune God as Paul did. 1) "We have redemption" (v7b) - What does redemption? Has this concept appeared in scripture before or is this a new concept? (Give your audience time to answer) * Redemption of firstborn (Exodus 13:2) * Redemption from Egypt (Exodus 6:6; 32:11; Deuteronomy 9:26; Neh. 1:10; Psalm 77:15) * Redemption for His people/nations (Isaiah 43:3-4) * Redemption Slave (Lev. 25:47-55) - There are dozens of texts we can go through to illustrate and point to the meaning of redemption. Do these scriptures give you some insight or taste of the definition of redemption? (Expand through the exodus story to set the stage for the audience) * (Answer) redemption (SBL: τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν) noun. Definition - deliverance; to be set free from a situation or bondage through a payment for a price. - Since we have redemption, therefore it must mean I was in bondage to something in order for me to be delivered. What were we in bondage to prior to our deliverance? What debt did we owe? And to whom was the debt paid? Did I really need to be delivered? 2) We are all in need of redemption * We were enslaved to sin. (John 8:34; Romans 3:10-18; Romans 7:14; Romans 8:7-8;Romans 8:21; Ephesians 2:1-3) * In debt to God's justice and wrath. (Gen. 18:15; Exodus 34:6-7; Prov. 17:15; Ezek. 18:4; Psalm 5:4-6; Psalm 7:11-14; Romans 6:23) - Can we pay God back? Can we deliver ourselves? - What is the answer to our problem? Have you ever tried to repay back God for the wrongs you have done to Him? 3) We need God Himself. * Jesus, God the Son is our Redeemer. (Matt 20:28) * Jesus is the Lamb (Exodus 12; Rev. 14:3-5; Rev. 5:9) * Offering (Ephesians 5:2) * Salvation belongs to Him (Psalm 3:8) - What did God have to do in order to deliver/redeem us? 4) God the Son had to die on our behalf. - What did His death provide for us? * forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7) * redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13) * released from the power of sin (Galatians 4:5) * In sin to in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6) * Slave of sin to son (Galatians 4:6-7) * justification; satisfied God's justice (Romans 3:20-26) * Gave us a seat in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) * An inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14) * We have hope and brought near to Him (Ephesians 2:12-13) * We have peace not hostility (Ephesians 2:14) * Reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:16) * In the Spirit access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18) * No longer strangers/aliens rather fellow citizens members of household of God (Ephesians 2:19) * ability to know the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:19) *Union with God (Ephesians 4:6) * Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) * Children of Light (Ephesians 5:1-10) - Do these comments make sense? If not talk it over some that give you trouble. - Have you ever forgiven anyone in your life as Christ provided forgiveness for you? - Having seen the truths of what God has done for us how should we act towards others? - Why do you think God did what He did? 5) Because He is God * Not according to your work or any foresight of your faith. *According to His immeasurable grace, His rich mercy, and kindness towards you in Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-9; Ephesians 1:7) * He works all things according to the counsel of His will; to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11;14) * He loves you because He loves you (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) - Did you ever think that salvation/redemption was dependent on you and your work? Do you think your Christian is dependent on you? - Do you feel glad and free that your redemption is only dependent upon His work and not yours? - Where would you be without Him? - Are you thankful for what He has done for you through His love for you and His own glory? - Are you able to tell the difference between Christianity and all other religions in the world?