Matters of Life and Death IX

Larry Siegle
10/20/24 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: Matters of Life and Death IX - L Siegle

Matters of Life and Death IX

“The Kinsman-Redeemer Brought Victory”

(Hebrews 2:5-18)

Series:  Matters of Life and Death

Thesis:  Learning to understand and appreciate what God has set before each of us.

INTRODUCTION

1.    The title of this series is Matters of Life and Death

2.    This is the eighth installment in the series, the title of this specific message is, “DO we HAVE Genuine LIFE?”

        a.     We are exploring what happens to a person when he dies?

        b.    What does the Bible teach about life after death?

        c.     What does the Bible teach about Hell?

        d.    What about the immortality of the human soul?

JESUS AND LIFE AFTER DEATH—RESURRECTION

1.    Jesus has ‘preeminence’ in ‘all things’(Col. 1:15-20).

        a.     Jesus is the “firstborn” over “creation” (v. 15)

        b.    ‘Preeminence’ (first-place)—proteuo—over “all things” (v. 18).

        c.     Jesus is the “firstborn” of the “dead” (v. 18; Rev. 1:5)

2.    This does not mean Jesus was the “first” to be resurrected from the dead physically:

        a.     There are “seven” instances of physical resurrection before that of Christ:

• Resurrection of the widow’s son in Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:17–22)
• Resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kgs 4:18–37)
• Resurrection of the man thrown into Elisha’s grave (2 Kgs 13:20)
• Resurrection of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:41)
• Resurrection of the young man at Nain (Luke 7:14)
• Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:38–44)
• Resurrection of unknown saints during the crucifixion (Matt 27:52–53)
• Resurrection of Christ (Matt 28:1-6)

        b.    There was two physical resurrections after Christ’s ascension:

• Resurrection of Tabitha/Dorcas (Acts 9:36–42)
• Resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12)

c.     There was to be a resurrection at the “end of the age” (Matt. 24:3)

c.     The resurrection of the “dead ones” (I Cor. 15:12-19)—Those who had died  before the Cross.

d.    The resurrection of those who had “fallen asleep” in Christ (I Thess. 4:13-15; I Cor. 15:20, 21)—Those who had

               died after the Cross.

• The judgment and standing before God for the wicked (Revelation 20:5).

3.    That Christ was “firstborn” of the “dead” (Rev. 1:5)

        a.     Jesus is the “first and the last” (Rev. 1:17)

        b.    Jesus had gone into Sheol/Hades (Psa. 16:10; Acts 2:23, 24, 27, 28).

        c.     Jesus came out of Sheol/Hades with the “keys” (Rev. 1:17, 18)

4.    Jesus had promised in the building of His “church” the “gates of Hades” would not ‘withstand’ (prevail) against it

        (Matt. 16:18).

THERE IS A REDEEMER

1.    It was July 28, 1982, while I was working on the air at the radio station that we were notified of a plane crash in

        Lindale, Texas that Keith Green, and two of his children, a total of 11 people died that day.

2.    His album, Songs for the Shepherd had just been released shortly before the crash.

        a.     His wife, wrote one of the songs that is now included in our songbooks…

        b.    There is a Redeemer a beautiful and inspiring hymn that draws our hearts together in the worship of God as the

               One who has brought about redemption, rescue, and deliverance from “death” and the “fear of death” and

               ushers the believer back into the presence of God.

3.    In order to accomplish redemption, Christ had to come and to identify with His people (Israel) and all of humanity            (John 1:1, 14; Gal. 4:4; Heb, 2:9-11, 14, 15-18).

        a.     Jesus gave His life a “ransom” for the “many” (Israel) (Matt. 20:28), a “ransom” for “all” (I Tim. 2:3-6)

        b.    The “death” of Christ, and His shed “blood” was the ‘corresponding-price’ (ransom) that was paid to set people

               free from the “fear of death” (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23)—agorazo—‘bought, redeemed with the price of a ransom)

        c.     The “price” of redemption (buy back) was His shed blood (Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-21).

JESUS IS THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER

1.    The book of Ruth in the OT is a unique picture of the message and meaning of redemption

        a.     Four chapters, three primary characters (Naomi, Ruth, Boaz).

        b.    Famine during the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:1)

        c.     The family moves from Bethlehem to Moab (Ruth 1:1-5).

               1)    The husband of Naomi dies…

               2)    The sons of Naomi die…leaving their wives who were Moabites.

               3)    They look for food (1:6)            

        d.    Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, and Ruth goes out to search for food and meets Boaz (Ruth 2:1-23)

               1)    Boaz who is a close relative of Naomi is identified as a “kinsman-redeemer” (2:20)

               2)    In the account of Boaz the custom of Deut. 25:5-10) is followed.

WHAT IS A KINSMAN-REDEEMER:

1.    The “Kinsman-Redeemer” had to be a ‘close relative’ to qualify to provide redemption for someone in slavery (Lev.

        25:47-49

2.    The “Kinsman-Redeemer” had to be “free” himself—he could not be in “bondage” as a “slave”

3.    The “Kinsman-Redeemer” had to be able to pay the necessary price—the “ransom” (corresponding-price).

4.    The “Kinsman-Redeemer” had to be willing to pay the price of redemption.

THE PICTURE OF REDEMPTION

1.    The story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz pictures what Jesus has done as the true “Kinsman-Redeemer” for fallen

        humanity who, by faith, accept the price of redemption that has been paid.

        a.     Jesus left heaven and took on flesh to become a “close relative” with fallen humanity.

        b.    Jesus was not born into “the death” as determined by Adam.

        c.     Jesus, through His shed “blood” was sufficient to “purchase” believers (Acts 20:28)

        d.    Jesus was willing to come and to experience “the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8-11)

CONCLUSION

1.    Resurrection-life is possible on the basis of accepting Christ and His sacrificial “death” as that which makes us free

        from sin and death (John 1:29; 8:31, 32; Rom. 8:1-4)

2.    Jesus as the “firstborn” from the dead, set about to provide ‘resurrection-life’ at the “end of the age” and our

        participation in what was accomplished provides for our stance with God and no “fear” of death

3.    The “ransom” (price of redemption) was paid to balance the scales of Divine justice for “the sin” and “the death” as

        determined by Adam that had placed all of humanity in “bondage” to “death” (Sheol/Hades) and Christ, through His

        victorious resurrection had the “keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev. 1:17, 18)

4.    Jesus as the “Kinsman-Redeemer” ‘paid it all’ and because of His death, burial, and resurrection, and “raised believers

        to walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-5), as His “new creation” (II Cor. 5:21).