DEEPLY ROOTED IN CHRIST: - REV Sam Kputu (APRIL 28, 2024)

The work of Christ our Redeemer is not just a call to association but a call to involvement in living the life of Christ as our redemption is ‘unto good works.’

There is the necessity of the doing which can only come from a life that is deeply rooted - entrenched and intertwined with Christ.

This is the true implication of redemption.

Any other way will hinder what God intends to do through us.

God’s ultimate desire is that as our roots go deeper in Christ, we will bear real fruits upwards that testify to His redeeming grace and bring glory to His name. (Matthew 5:16)

The scripture is clear that through our Lord Jesus Christ’s redemptive and reconciliation work, all Christians are international members of the new and unique community of God.

International because it is expected that there should no longer be ethnicity, race and gender distinctions.

In our text, Apostle Paul, after calling on the church to be what it is expected to be (Ephesians 4:1-2), followed up with exhortation to unity as one body.

The new community is created from sinful and disordered humanity. The Bible affirms the sinfulness of the human race and its attendant consequences.

Disunity is one of such.

Heritage is something passed to or bestowed on someone. Usually, the basis of heritage is relationships.

In this context, our unity is because of our relationship with Christ Jesus. In other words, our unity or state of oneness is in Christ the Redeemer.

Jesus was intentional in His ministry in homes. In some cases, He initiated the visit. In other cases, He honoured invitations even from “confirmed” sinners and enemies. This is a big lesson for us to learn.

Let’s examine a few of the things He did in his ministry in homes:

He built relationships – Lazarus and the sisters, Mary, and Martha. (Luke 10:38-41)

People were saved (e.g. Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-10). In this case, Jesus initiated the visit. In the end He proclaimed: “Today salvation has come to this house….” (Luke 19:9)

Jesus used the home ministry opportunities to perform miracles, and to teach the general truth on various subjects: Jesus at the Chief Pharisee’s home (Luke 14:1-23).

Discipleship, especially with the disciples. (Mark 9:28-29)

No discrimination – He ministered in the homes of the rich, the outcasts, the saints and “confirmed” sinners but ensured Contact without contamination.

The Cross is a project which started way before Jesus hung on a literal cross. So, we see references to it across the Bible even as early as in Genesis 3:15.

In fact, the Bible refers to the Lord as the “Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

Whereas the work done is not exhaustively captured in this chapter, Isaiah 53 captures/buttresses the essence, basis (v.6) and provisions of Christ’s atonement and redemption work He accomplished.

Shame vs. glory. Curses vs. blessings.

As believers, we are called to live in the reality of our redemption in Christ.

By recognizing our old selves, embracing our new identity, and living out our redemption in practical ways, we reflect the transformative power of Christ to the world around us.

Let us continually seek to grow in likeness to Christ, allowing His redeeming work to shape every aspect of our lives.

BLESSINGS FROM CHRIST OUR REDEEMER - Ephesians 1:7-12

A.He Has Redeemed Us (Ephesians 1:7a)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, …..”

To redeem means “purchase, by paying a price and set free.”

1.The Person - Who made our redemption possible – Jesus Christ – His grace.

2.The Price – of our redemption is His blood – He died for us – Romans 5:8-9 .NIV

Ownership – bought at a great price – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Hebrews ;NIV 9:12

3.Redeemed from Slavery

•Human beings are as slaves to sin who are then redeemed by God, paid for with the highest imaginable price – His Son, Jesus Christ.

•There are different Greek words in the New Testament for redeemed, lutroo – which means “to redeem or ransom, to set free.”

•That is the word used in 1 Peter 1:18 and Titus 2:14.

•Lutroo is the Greek word used for redemption in Luke 24:21; 1 Peter 1:18; and Titus 2:14 - Because we have been bought out of the slave market of sin, we are set free to be sons of God.

•You could buy a slave to keep as a slave – (Exagorazo – Greek)

4.This means we are free from the law – Galatians 5:1.

5.This means we are free from Satan and the world – Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:13-14.

John recorded the life and ministry of Jesus to encourage the reader to put his/her faith in the risen Lord.

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

The experience, encounter and exchange with the risen Lord brought joy, praise, authority, and power for service and most importantly the assurance of His continuous presence to His disciples.

We have the same assurance, so wherever your faith is today, broken as Mary’s, wavering as the disciples, or doubting as Thomas, Jesus reassures us that He is the risen Lord and that the victory over sin, death and Satan is won. Hallelujah

THE BIG QUESTION –

There is a big question that Jesus asked those with Him when Mary ran to meet Him.

That question – each person must answer personally. At this season of Easter and today that represents the day that our REDEEMER rose from the dead to complete the work of redemption, we confront that question afresh –

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 )NI

Portraits Of The Cross - Panel Session (Wednesday, 27 March 2024)