Podcast Summary
Podcast: 2819 Church
Episode: I Am Redeemed | Ephesians 1:3-7 | Arik Hayes
Date: August 27, 2025
Speaker: Arik Hayes (Elder of 2819 Church)
Main Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-7
Episode Overview
In this standalone sermon, Elder Arik Hayes explores the theme of redemption through Jesus Christ as found in Ephesians 1:3-7. Using a mix of personal testimony, biblical exposition, and a striking analogy from the movie Man On Fire, Hayes unpacks what it means for Christians to be truly redeemed – set free from the penalty and power of sin not by their own merit but by the sacrifice and grace of Jesus. The sermon confronts legalism, shame, hidden struggles, and the practical journey out of bondage into freedom.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Welcome, Community, and Honoring the Ministry
- Hayes greets all attendees, online and in person – believers and unbelievers alike – intentionally declaring, "You can absolutely belong before you believe" (02:15).
- Shares gratitude and celebration for a recent large baptism event with "over 2,500 souls baptized" and thanks the ministry team who made it possible (03:20).
- Honors lead Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, noting the perseverance and opposition that come with leadership, saying, "Some arrows you just gotta take. Some gonna miss you, and some you just gotta take." (05:20)
2. Introduction: The Heart of Redemption
- Although the larger church series is in Matthew, Hayes has been assigned to preach on the theme: "I Am Redeemed."
- Opens with prayer, asking God that "I look to decrease that you may increase, that you may use your scriptures to edify your people" (07:10).
3. Movie Analogy: Man on Fire
- Hayes recounts Man on Fire, focusing on the redemptive sacrifice of Denzel Washington’s character for a kidnapped girl:
- "He had to exchange his life in order to get her free... the price for her ransom had been paid." (13:20)
- Draws parallel: "I come to tell you today that Christ did the same for us." (15:00)
- Memorable quote: "The real estate that the Lord is interested in is the heart of man." (01:10)
- Unpacks the idea that love and sacrifice for redemption are central to Christ’s work, just as Creasy's love for the girl drove him to give his life for hers.
4. Biblical Foundation: Ephesians 1:3-7
- Reads and expounds on Ephesians 1:3–7, emphasizing the source and certainty of redemption:
- "When were you chosen? Before you had a chance to even mess it up? ...You were already chosen in Him." (20:00)
- Repeats: "You are loved. There’s never a time Christ wants to be separated from you." (22:10)
- Unpacks "redemption through his blood ... the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace." (23:00)
- Challenges listeners: "So as you’re walking through this life and you hear the whisper of the enemy, tell you anything that would say your salvation rests on you...you can identify it as a lie." (21:10)
5. Redemption and Ransom Explained
- Explains “redemption” is woven throughout the whole Bible, centering on Christ's sacrifice as a ransom.
- References Mark 10:43-45: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." (27:20)
- Addresses discomfort with words like "servant" and "slave," noting, "Christ became a servant and a slave to pay your ransom... He was sent by the Father to do whatever was necessary to reconcile man back to God. That's how loved you are." (28:10)
6. Personal Testimony: Battling Sin and Shame
- Hayes vulnerably shares his own struggles with pornography, speaking to both men and women in the congregation:
- "I can speak to how nasty it makes you feel after the burn and the lust is out the way... Shame, I would say, unlike any other, that leaves residue on the soul." (32:55)
- Admits, "I'm not struggling like I was, but there was a time..." (31:50). He describes the ongoing process of fighting sin — sometimes losing, sometimes winning, and never instantly healed.
- Describes practical steps: accountability, multiple fresh starts, but emphasizes, "You fight with the gospel... I have been redeemed... He has justified me just as if I had never sinned." (36:40)
- Encourages those in ongoing struggles: "Some of you are carrying shame because you beat something in one season, but it popped up in another... Victory isn’t nearly as clean as we want." (38:40)
7. Walking Out Redemption
- Stresses living out freedom, not just claiming a theological idea:
- "We are free people because he paid for us to be free… Two things can be true though. He paid for it. And you also have to walk this thing out." (41:10)
- Offers practical guidance: "You ingest the truth of God in your soul until it kicks out and evicts the lies... Get up. Who needs to get up because you've been redeemed?" (42:40)
8. Moving From Shame to Confidence in Christ
- Recounts a conversation with a friend about feeling unworthy:
- Hayes responds with, "I'm sold on the fact that I’m unworthy... but I’m sold on the fact that he made me worthy... the scorecard of Christ on the cross." (44:55)
9. Worship and Identity: Christ-Centered Living
- Uses sexual temptation as a deeper metaphor for worship and idolatry:
- "You are engaging in idolatry... the terminating endpoint is always about worship, who I’m in a relationship [with] vertically.” (47:50)
10. Final Scriptural Emphasis: Boasting in Christ
- Reads 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, driving home: "So that as it is written, let the one who boasts boast in the name of the Lord." (49:30)
- Reminds listeners, "If we're going to boast, we're going to boast in the name of the Lord. The One that has redeemed us." (49:50)
11. Heavenly Vision: The Song of the Redeemed
- Recites Revelation 5:9, envisioning the song believers will sing in heaven:
- "You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." (50:40)
- "You’ve been ransomed by the one who was slain. You’ve been redeemed by the only one worthy to open the scrolls. You’ve been saved, reconciled by the only one that could die for our sins. His name is Jesus." (51:20)
12. Closing Call: "Say So" and Final Prayer
- Rallies the congregation: "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" (52:00)
- Prays: "Now that we have the revelation, God, help us walk out of the cage... Help us walk in everything, every single thing in the package of salvation." (53:15)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "The real estate that the Lord is interested in is the heart of man." — Arik Hayes (01:10)
- "You can absolutely belong before you believe." — Arik Hayes (02:15)
- "Creasy, Denzel’s character, agreed: I’ll give my life for hers. ...Peter was redeemed. The price for her ransom had been paid. And now she can go and enjoy all the benefits of freedom because he paid that price. Christ did the same for us." — Arik Hayes (15:00)
- "When were you chosen? Before you had a chance to even mess it up?...You were already chosen in Him." (20:00)
- "The ransom was already paid for the penalty [of] sin and also the power of sin to be broken. We are a free people." (40:20)
- "You ingest the truth of God in your soul until it kicks out and evicts the lies...Get up." (42:40)
- "I'm sold on the fact that I’m unworthy... but I’m sold on the fact that he made me worthy...the scorecard of Christ on the cross.” (44:55)
- "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Let those who have been redeemed by Christ Jesus say so." (52:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Welcome, Community, Baptism Shout-Out: 00:00–05:50
- Movie Analogy (Man on Fire): 08:50–15:00
- Parallel to Christ’s Sacrifice: 15:00–20:00
- Ephesians 1:3-7 Exposition: 20:00–26:30
- Redemption & Ransom Explained (Mark 10): 26:30–29:30
- Personal Testimony (Addiction & Shame): 31:30–40:20
- Walking In Freedom / "Get Back Up": 41:00–44:30
- Worthiness and Boasting in Christ: 44:30–49:50
- Heaven's Song (Rev 5:9) & Finale: 50:30–end
Takeaway
Redemption is total, present, and powerful – not based on your record but Christ's. You are loved, chosen, and freed by his blood. Walk in it, fight for it, and lift your voice with the redeemed: "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!"