In his sermon titled "Hath Redeemed Us," Norm Wells addresses the theological theme of redemption as depicted in Zechariah 14:10-11, emphasizing God's sovereign work in salvation. He argues that redemption is not merely making people savable, but consists of God's active engagement in actually saving His people, a point he highlights through the parallel with Revelation 5:9. Wells expands this theme by referencing Isaiah 40 and the assurance found in other Scriptures, underscoring that God's promises regarding salvation are fulfilled entirely in Christ. This redemption leads to a transformed community, a secured church that dwells safely in divine peace, signifying both practical comfort and doctrinal assurance for believers in the Reformed tradition.
Key Quotes
“He didn't make us savable... but a savior that actually saves his people and a redeemer that actually redeems his people is the best news I ever heard of.”
“The work of righteousness and the effect of righteousness... shall be peace. And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
“Nothing can remove God's people from the position that they're in. Shall tribulation... Nope, nope, nope. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”
“Every spiritual blessing is yours. Everything. I've held back nothing.”
The Bible teaches that Christ has redeemed His people, paying the price for their sins with His blood.
According to Revelation 5:9, Christ has redeemed us to God by His blood, signifying that He did not merely make us redeemable but actually redeemed us. This truth emphasizes the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, pointing to His power and purpose in salvation. The gospel portrays God as a savior who enables His people to be saved, reinforcing the message that salvation is God’s work, accomplished in Christ for those He has chosen.
Revelation 5:9
The scriptures affirm that God saves His people, making it clear that salvation is entirely His work, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Salvation being of the Lord is central to Reformed theology, underscoring that it is God's initiative that leads to redemption. 1 Corinthians 2:14 notes that the natural man cannot comprehend the things of the Spirit, highlighting the necessity of divine revelation in understanding salvation. Without God’s intervention, people remain spiritually dead, unable to respond to the gospel. This sovereign work emphasizes that salvation is not based on human efforts but entirely on God's grace and power, as shown throughout scripture.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Christ is our righteousness, ensuring believers are justified before God, as He is the fulfillment of God's promise.
The concept of Christ as our righteousness is crucial for believers because it establishes our standing before God. Jeremiah 23:6 calls the Savior 'The Lord our Righteousness', which implies that our acceptance by God is not based on our works but on the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ. This assures Christians of their justification and provides peace, knowing that they are declared righteous solely through faith in Him. It underscores the grace of God in salvation, which is pivotal in Reformed theology and comforts believers in their identity in Christ.
Jeremiah 23:6
Believers are assured of their eternal safety, as nothing can separate them from God's love.
The assurance of eternal safety for believers is rooted in Romans 8, which declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The verses in Zechariah 14:11 also affirm that Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited, representing God's promise that His people are secure in Him. This security does not hinge on our actions or failures but on the sustaining grace of God, reinforcing that true salvation brings eternal safety and assurance to those He redeems. Thus, believers can rest in the knowledge that their position in Christ is unshakeable and secure.
Romans 8:38-39, Zechariah 14:11
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