Martin and Gracia Burnham, American New Tribes missionaries, were celebrating their eighteenth wedding anniversary at the Dos Palmas Resort in the Philippines. Before daybreak on 27 May 2001, they, along with 18 other people, were abducted at gunpoint by Islamic terrorists. A few weeks later, four other captives were taken. The Abu Sayyaf demanded huge ransoms, especially for the Americans.

For the Burnhams, this began a torturous existence that lasted more than a year, as their group constantly hiked in the jungle to hide from the military. Of the 24 captives, 14 were ransomed and released, three were executed, three were left for dead, one escaped, Martin and another woman captive were accidentally killed by the military in the final gun battle, and Gracia, though wounded, was the only one rescued. You can read the whole store in Gracia Burnham’s book, “In the Presence of My Enemies.”

Those terrorists required that someone redeem their captives to save their lives. This is an excellent picture of the plight of the human race. Shortly after creation, Satan, the king of all terrorists, deceived Eve into disobeying God. In doing so, he took captive the entire human race. One difference is that the ransom is not paid to Satan, but to God, whom Satan hated. There is no escaping Satan’s captivity or his ultimate doom without being redeemed by the priceless ransom of the blood of Jesus Christ. Read Colossians 1:14.

Transition

Last week, we examined Christ’s propitiation. With His blood, Christ paid for our sin in full. By doing so, He completely satisfied God’s righteous judgment against our sin. His propitiation became the priceless ransom to redeem us from Satan’s grip. Let me explain what that offers to you and me.

First, it offers us,

Christ’s redemption from the terrorist.

  1. Satan, the terrorist, is holding humans captive.
    1. Many falsely believe that if God created everyone, then all people are children of God. That is not true.
    2. Addressing the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, (John 8:44) “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.“
    3. In Matthew 13:38, Jesus called unbelievers, “children of the wicked one.” In Acts 13:10, Paul called a wicked man a “child of the devil.”
    4. Because we were all born sinners, with active sin natures, we begin life as children of the devil. We are captives of that great terrorist.
  2. Christ’s redemption releases Satan’s grip.
    1. Christ’s blood propitiation paid the ransom in full. (Hebrews 2:14-15) “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.“
    2. God’s message of salvation to those in bondage is “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [Christ].” (Acts 26:18)
    3. Believers are no longer in bondage to Satan.
    4. If you have truly trusted Christ, you have been set free.
      Next, it offers us,

Christ’s redemption from torment.

  1. Hell is the destiny of Satan and his angels.
    1. Because of their evil rebellion, they will suffer eternal torment in hell. (Matthew 25:41) “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:“
    2. Sadly, all who fail to ask God to redeem them with Christ’s blood, will spend eternity in the same fiery torment designed for the devil.
  2. Christ’s blood redeems from hell’s torment.
    1. For the joy of redeeming your soul, Christ died for you. (Hebrews 12:2) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
    2. (Hebrews 9:12) “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.“
    3. It is impossible to redeem ourselves. The price is far too high. (1 Peter 1:18-19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:“
    4. “Up Calvary’s mountain one dreadful morn, Walked Christ my Saviour, weary and worn; Facing for sinners, death on the cross, That He might save them from endless loss. Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer, Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree, Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading, Blind and unheeding, dying for me.” Blessed Redeemer, by Avis B. Christiansen, GH112
    5. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can escape the eternal damnation that we deserve. (John 3:36) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
      Finally, it offers us,

Christ’s redemption from tyranny.

  1. Satan’s tyranny enslaves us.
    1. His tyranny (i.e., oppressive, harsh power) is controlling.
    2. Have you ever felt like you just could not stop doing a something that you knew was wrong? The reason is that Satan is acting as your master (even if he no longer is your master).
    3. It is as if Satan has unbelievers in chains, and they cannot escape. Satan will do the same to Christians if they let him.
  2. Christ redeems and sets believers free.
    1. When a person trusts Christ for salvation, Christ’s propitiation satisfies God’s wrath and redeems that sinner. The chains of sin are broken. Satan is no longer in charge. The person has been set free. He now has the Holy Spirit living in him to enable him to be victorious.
    2. (Titus 2:14) “Who [Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.“
    3. The believer can now choose to whom he yields. (Romans 6:16) “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Sin will always be tempting, but you can choose victory.
    4. The Apostle Paul described his struggle with sin. (Romans 7:19) “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Paul ended that discussion with these encouraging words. (Romans 7:24-25) “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” The key is to walk in the Spirit, depending on His help for victory.

Conclusion

As we wrap this up, the propitiating ransom that can redeem your soul from hell is the blood of Jesus Christ. We have looked at Christ’s redemption from the terrorist, Christ’s redemption from torment, and Christ’s redemption from tyranny. These marvels of salvation can only help you if the ransom is applied to your account, and you are redeemed. If that has never taken place in your life, I urge you to come to trust Christ to save you today. Experience His redemption!

If you have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, take time today to thank and praise Him for that gift. Meditate on what He did to redeem your soul from bondage.

Song: Redeemed, 475
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Marvels of Salvation
Redemption
26 November 2023 AM – Text: Colossians 1:14 – Topic: Salvation – Series: Marvels