What Jesus' Resurrection Means To YOU!

ROMANS 4:23-25

THEME: we can be delivered from eternal suffering in the lake of fire for our sin by accepting God’s provision of a substitute and sacrifice –Jesus Christ. For indeed Christ was delivered for our offenses and then raised again from the dead for our justification– salvation.  Because of faith in the resurrected Christ we are made acceptable to God.

INTRODUCTION:

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24, But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25, Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:23-25, KJV)

Christ died in our place, bore our sins, paid the penalty due our sins; and all this not by force, but willingly (Jn. 10:17, 18). The blessed truth is that something happened to Christ, and because it happened to Christ, it need not happen to us. Jesus Christ died for our sins; we need not die for them if we accept His sacrifice.

Christ was also raise again and we are identified with Him and represented by Him as Winners and Victors over Satan, sin, death, hell, and the grave. The Lord Jesus has a central place in God’s program of providing righteousness for sinful people by grace through faith. Both Christ’s death and His resurrection are essential to this grand work of justification (Rom. 4:23-25).

MESSAGE:

I. The Resurrection Of Christ Is Still A Relevant Matter.

It will continue to be as long as people are born sinners, as long as Hell burns hot, as long as death is a threat, and as long as the grave persists. But, not everyone who claims to be ‘Christian’ believes this….

SOME REJECT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION!

1.  Some So-Called Theologians and Scholars Believe that the Resurrection is Not Important to Modern Man in this Technologically Advanced and Hyper-Computerized Age.

   A)  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "theologian" Reginald Fuller makes the following statement in his book The Formation of the Resurrection Narratives.

Not only is the assertion of the resuscitation of a corpse incredible, as Bultmann pointed out, but still more pressing is the question, So what? Suppose a first-century Jewish prophet did in fact, incredible though it may seem, rise from the grave? What difference can that make to my existence or to the social, political, and environmental problems of contemporary man?

    B)  The first mistake of this poor misguided man was that he overlooked volumes of evidence from the Scriptures to dismiss the Lord’s resurrection as insignificant and irrelevant for contemporary man.  Then secondly, he is confused on what is the most ‘dangerous threat’ to mankind; it is not man’s social, political, and environmental problems that are his most pressing concerns. Intimidating as they may be, and as grim as the future on earth may appear to be in light of these ills, still mankind’s ‘greatest threat’ is Satan, Sin, Death, the Grave, and Hell.

2. Such Men Have Failed To Realize the Far Reaching Implications of our Lord’s Empty Tomb! Through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus all of these ‘real threats’ were rendered powerless for the Believer in Christ. Yes, the resurrection of Christ is extremely relevant for today!

SCRIPTURE DECLARES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION!

1.  The Scriptures Teach that the Resurrection of Christ Will Always Be a Current Significant Factor With Eternal Relevance.  Death and resurrection were the portion of the Savior (Rom. 4:25). One can hardly fail to notice the carefully balanced character of this statement, relating as it does the death of the Lord Jesus to our sins and His resurrection to our justification.

  A) Christ Was Raised for Our Justification. Rom. 4:24-25

     1) Condemnation—“Who was delivered”, to death; compare Acts 2:23.  Sin deserves death (Rom. 6:23).

     2) Substitution –“For our offences,” Christ died on account of our sin crimes. He was delivered over to death in order to make the payment required (satisfactory solution to remove sin’s penalty by punishment) for our sins.

     3) Resurrection –“And was raised again” from the dead. Christ Jesus lives forever more!

     4) Justification –“For our justification” in order that we may be justified.

The word “justification” means acceptance with God; including not only the formal act by which God forgives sins, and by which we become children of God, but also the completion of the work—the treatment of us as righteous, and raising us up to a state of glory. By the death of Christ the atonement for sin was made. His death and resurrection alone provides our acceptance with God.  The resurrection of Christ was essential for the exercise of our faith in Him as the Savior, since Christ’s continuance under the power of death would create serious doubts about the effectiveness of His sacrificial death on the cross. Furthermore, justification also involves a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4-7).

O’ Beloved, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own personal Savior, there is NO other means of being forgiven of sin, an eternity with God in Heaven, nor life after life without Him. Trust Christ today!

  B) His Resurrection Is the Main-spring (Origin) of All Our Hopes and Final Salvation.

2 Tim. 1:9-10, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ)

         1) Christ’s Resurrection Anticipates Our Personal Hope & Resurrections.

Life and immortality are brought to light by resurrection, 2 Tim 1:10. God “hath begotten us again to a lively hope (a living, active, real hope), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3. Thus, the fact that he was raised becomes the basis of hope that we shall be raised and accepted of God.

         2) Christ’s Resurrection Encourages Our Personal Salvations.

The fact that Christ was raised give real incentive to salvation! The reality that all who believe on Him shall be raised also is one of the most powerful motivators to seek God’s justification through Christ.

                a) Life After Life Through the Resurrection is an Outstanding Reason for Getting Saved!

There is no greater incentive to be shared to encourage someone to seek salvation than the fact that he maybe raised up from death and the grave, and made immortal to share eternity with God (1 Cor. 15:1-4, 48-57).

                b) Christ’s Resurrection Serves as a Powerful Guarantee That Believers Will be Raised Also!

There is no other viable proof that man can be raised from the dead, but through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In His resurrection we have a promise that all his people will rise. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him,” 1 Thess. 4:14. “Because I live,” said the Redeemer, “ye shall live also,” John 14:19; compare 1 Peter 1:21; Jn. 11:25-26.

2. Christ’s Cross and Resurrection Transcends the Concerns of This Life and World! Therefore, regardless of what the political pressures may be, and in spite of the ever growing environmental concerns, and regardless of the social frustrations of our day, we still have a hope in Christ that sustains us through the difficulties of this life and will deliver us safely into the next.

II. The Resurrection Of Christ Assures Us Of Our Justification!

Romans 4:24-25,  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1Cor. 15:4 . . . and that he rose again the third day. . .

Christ’s death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all people (Rom. 3:24) so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to this provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 1:4). Thus because He lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person who responds by faith to this offer. (Wiersbe)

TRUST THE RISEN CHRIST TO BE SAVED TODAY!

     1.  Without The Resurrection of Christ Salvation Would Be Impossible. 

1 Cor. 15:12-20,  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

      2.  Christ’s Resurrection Is Important Because the Same Savior Who Died for Our Sin Is Alive Today to Save Us. We can trust a Living Savior: a living Savior can call sinners unto himself. While a dead savior cannot save anyone, a living Savior can save all who receive His forgiveness and accept His life. We simply cannot receive Eternal Life from a dead man. We can only have assurance and hope beyond death because we have a relationship with the One who conquered death through His resurrection. Clearly Christ is the only one that can by His finished work bring sinful humanity back into a right relationship with a Holy God.

               A) Christ’s Work of Redemption Was Completed in His Resurrection. His death would have been unavailing; his work would have been imperfect, if he had not been raised up from the dead. He submitted to death as a sacrifice, and it was needful that he should rise, and thus conquer death and subdue our enemies, that the work which he had undertaken might be complete. (Wiersbe & MacDonald)

               B) The Resurrection of Christ Is God’s Endorsement of Christ’s Perfect Life, and Atoning Death! His resurrection was a proof that his work was accepted by the Father. What he had done, in order that sinners might be saved, was approved. Our justification, therefore, became sure; as it was for this reason He gave himself up to death.

ACCEPT THE TRUTH THAT JESUS LIVES TO SAVE.

     1.  Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for Saving and Justifying the Repentant Sinner who Believes. We are viewed by God as just as righteous as the Risen Christ is!

Romans 8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 When a sinner trusts Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, she or he will receive the credit of being righteous, alive, and assured of acceptance by God because they are identifying with the resurrected Christ.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remain no more obligations to sin and death.  We are freed from such obligations so that we can serve our Lord with our new lives (See Rom 6:4-13).     

      2.   Jesus Christ is Literally “the Resurrection and the Life;” You Need to Believe on Him.

John 11:25-27, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

All hope of eternal life and resurrection power point to faith in Jesus Christ. He died in our place, was buried and on the third day He arose from the dead. By doing so He demonstrated that sin had been paid for completely, and that salvation could be obtained through faith in Him and His monumental achievements! Like Martha, we need to confess that Jesus Christ is The Lord God of the Old Testament who became a man to die for our sins. This same Son of God arose again in the power of eternal resurrection life and is able to save anyone who will repent believing the good news. Truly Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and He conquered death, the grave, and Hell on our behalf. Turn to Him for salvation life, forgiveness of sin, and an eternity with God.

CONCLUSION:  

1. Today you too can experience the Life giving power of the Risen Christ by believing on Him as your personal Savior. He is the resurrection, both spiritually and physically. Trust Him; believe on Him today.

2. Christian, recognize that you are free from death and sin through the Risen Christ, therefore serve God with your new life in Christ. The same power that saved you is available to empower you to live out God’s plan for you. Choose life after life.

3.  Stand on the promises of God without staggering and doubting with full persuasion that God is able to do what He promised. Remember strong unwavering faith glorifies God! (Rom. 4:20-21)

4.  Do not be confused as to what the most pressing current threats are to mankind. It is not the environment; it is not our social troubles; it is not our political frustrations that are most pressing. No, it is our spiritual deadness, the threat of Hell, eternal separation from God, spiritual bankruptcy, and the need for the life of God through faith in Jesus Christ. 

5.  Exercise serious caution about who you read after and what you watch on television! This is especially needful when it comes to reading Christian books, periodicals, and watching major new network documentaries about Jesus. There are many false teachers in the world today. Beware of the fact that the fundamental teaching of the resurrection of the Savior is under sore attack by the wicked one and his crowd.

6.  Recognize the reason we have hope of eternal life, a heavenly inheritance, and the rapture or resurrection is all because of the resurrection of Christ. Beloved, great are the implications of Christ’s empty tomb! 

God And Sinners Reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

THEME: The estranged unbeliever can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Now then, we who are reconciled to God have the ministry of reconciliation.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21, KJV)  

The term reconcile occurs a number of times in various forms in this short passage. It is here God affords us incredible insight into His great work of spiritual reunion. Reconciliation involves God, on the basis of Christ’s death, eliminating the cause of hostility between Himself and humanity, making possible a complete and maturing relationship. Of course the rift and hostility was caused by our sinfulness, but God eliminated the impact of sin through the cross of Jesus Christ for all who truly believe.

Yes, humanity’s relationship with God was completely broken by our sinfulness; life with God is entirely restored the moment we place our trust in Christ Jesus. Consider four truths from this passage that will set us up to understand and explore all it means to be reconciled to God through Christ.

I.  The Meaning of Reconciliation (5:18)

2 Cor 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

     WHAT IT IS: THE MEANING OF RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation means to change thoroughly, to change from enmity to friendship, to bring together, to restore. The idea is that two persons who should have been together all along are brought together; two persons who have allowed something to come between them are restored and reunited.

Esau and Jacob in Genesis 33, illustrates the essential meaning of reconciliation. The offense or the sin that broke Esau and Jacob’s union was the fact that Jacob stole Esau’s birthright. As a result, Esau vowed to kill him. There was great hostility between them and they were separated for about twenty years.  Now in Genesis 33 amends are made and Esau and Jacob were reunited, they were restored, and reconciled! So is it with us and God, at the place of Calvary humanity is reconciled to God!

     WHY IT IS: THE NECESSITY OF RECONCILIATION

As sinners we were at odds with god; we were his enemies.

Rom 5:10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

The fact that we were enemies of God establishes our need for reconciliation. Not only were we His enemies we were objects of His wrath. The thing that broke the relationship between God and man was sin.  Men are enemies of God (Rom. 5:10), and the word enemies refer to the fact that humanity has become sinners and ungodly (Rom. 5:6 & 8). Thus, our great need for reconciliation!  Our state of estrangement could not have been more serious, nor the need for a change, a reconciliation, more urgent.

The sinner is antagonistic toward God, opposing what He stands for. The unbeliever rebels against God, he rejects God, curses God, he ignores God, he disobeys God, he will deny God, he fights against God, he refuses to live for God! This is routinely practice; it characterizes their lives. Actually this description sounds like some ‘Christians’ I know!

The great point about reconciliation is that God did not save us when we became righteous and good enough. No, He saved us when we were His enemies riveted on continuing to fight against Him.

Colossians 1:21-22, says, And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22, In the body of his flesh through death, to present (show and bring us before) you holy (separated from sin and unto God) and unblameable (blameless, no charge can stand against us) and unreproveable (un-accused, irreproachable) in his sight:

Reconciliation displays the goodness, love, holiness, and power of God to atone for man’s sin. It even demonstrates the unchangeableness of God!

II. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:18)

There are three persons involved in reconciliation.

2 Cor 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

        GOD INITIATED IT

2 Cor 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

               1.  Man Does Not Deserve Nor Earn Reconciliation: “And all things are of God”

If man is to be reconciled to God then he must come back to God because only God can make a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). 

Ring the bells of heaven! there is joy today For a soul, returning from the wild! See! the Father meets him out upon the way, Welcoming His weary, wand'ring child (Lk 15:7; 10–24; 2 Co 5:18). –William O. Cushing, Author

               2.  Only God Can Effect the Changing of a Mans Heart that He Should Turn to God.  God is the one who draws man and reaches out to man to reconcile him to himself.  As men we simply receive reconciliation that is atonement for our sin making reconciliation possible.

Religion is man’s feeble effort to be reconciled to God, efforts that are bound to fail!

        CHRIST SECURED IT

2 Cor 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

We are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ.  When a man believes that Christ died for him. . . .    

• God accepts the death of Christ for the death of mankind
• God accepts the sins borne by Christ as the payment for the sins of the mankind
• God accepts the condemnation borne by Christ as the condemnation due to mankind

As a result the believer is freed from his sins and the punishment due his sins because Christ has borne it all in his stead. Therefore the believer is accepted by God and reconciled to God forever and ever!

What Could Remove Her Sin?

At a great assembly of religions, held in Chicago many years ago, specifically every known religion was represented, and many scholarly speeches were delivered.

During one session, Dr. Joseph Cook, of Boston, suddenly rose and said: “Gentlemen, I beg to introduce to you a woman with a great sorrow. Blood stains are on her hands, and nothing she has tried will remove them. The blood is that of murder, and nothing will take away the stain. She has been driven to desperation in her distress. Is there anything in your religion that will remove her sin and give her peace?” A hush fell upon the gathering as the speaker turned from one to another for an answer. Not one of the company replied.

Raising his eyes heavenwards, Dr. Cook then cried out, “I will ask another question. John, can you tell this woman how to get rid of her awful sin?” The great preacher waited, as if listening for a reply. Suddenly he cried, “Listen, John speaks: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).”

Not a soul broke the silence; the representatives of Eastern religions and Western cults sat speechless. In the face of human need, they were without any message of hope. The Gospel of Jesus Christ alone could meet the need. The sin of the human race demands the blood of Calvary. —The Evangelist

(Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1193). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)

        BELIEVERS TELL IT

2 Cor 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

The reason you and I have been reconciled to God is because someone took seriously the ministry of reconciliation and shared with us how Christ died for our sins that we might be reconciled to God.  I wonder how seriously we are taking this ministry of reconciliation as churches and individuals.

Rom 10:14, How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Preachers and Ministers of Reconciliation)

1 Cor 3:6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (Fruitfulness)

1 Cor 3:9, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  (Effectiveness)

Mark 16:20, And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Power and Boldness)

The fact that the Lord is working with us in the ministry of reconciliation reassures us of Fruitfulness, Effectiveness, Power, and Boldness! Trust Him to make your witness effective.

III. The Message of Reconciliation (5:19)

2 Cor 5:19,  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

The study of this great Bible teaching brings several questions to mine.  For instance, How can God be united with sinners, when He is Holy, Undefiled and Separated from sinners? If Reconciliation means to change thoroughly, then what is it about God that changed? Is not He the unchangeable, immutable God? How are sinners made righteous and sinless that they may be reconciled to God? What is the basic objective in God’s Reconcilement Program?”

The answers are found when we consider HOW God worked out His program of Reconciliation. Therein we discover the very message that brings us back into a correct relationship to God!

       GOD PROVIDES THE MEANS OF RECONCILIATION THROUGH CHRIST

2 Cor 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

God accomplished the great task through the person Jesus Christ.  The phrase “God was in Christ” is not emphasizing Christ’s deity but the work that God accomplished through Christ when He died for our sin.  That is God was actively removing that very element that caused the estrangement between God and man—SIN. God does not need to be reconciled nor changed, but He did change the situation of mankind and made reconciliation possible. God through Christ gave hope to the hopeless!  This took care of man’s sin! (MacDonald)

No Price Too High

Mrs. Samuel Untermyer, wife of the late lawyer, once cabled her husband from Europe about a Gobelin tapestry she had found: the price was $25,000, and she wanted to know if she should buy it. “No,” was Untermyer’s reply. “Price too high.” But she returned from Europe with the tapestry and, when her husband asked why she had disregarded his reply, she showed him the cable. It read: “NO PRICE TOO HIGH.”

For man’s redemption, God thought no price was too high, even the blood of His Son.

(Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 1193–1194). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)

       GOD DOES NOT CREDIT SIN TO BELIEVERS’ ACCOUNTS

2 Cor. 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

It is true that God is holy, just, good, and completely righteous and that He will never deny any of these morale attributes to merely overlook the serious sins of us unbelievers. The question before us then is how is it that sinners are made righteous and sinless that they can be reconciled to God?

Again God was able to accomplish this through Christ’s Death and Life!  

Rom 5:10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

          1.  God Gives the Credit For My Sin to Christ and Not to Me as a Believer.  2 Cor 5: 19, “not imputing their trespasses unto them....” Then 2 Cor 5:21, says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin....”

God put on the Crucified Christ (Death of Christ) the credit for my sins and He died for them.  All those sins were paid for and God no longer holds them against us, because we have trusted Christ as Savior!

           2.   God Gives the Credit For Christ’s Righteousness to Me as a Believer. 2 Cor. 5: 21, says “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

God puts on my spiritual account (Input) “Righteousness”, that of Christ (Sinless Life of Christ).  Then he puts on my account “Sinless,” again that of Christ.  This would take care of my past sins also.

Just as I can go down to the bank and set up a direct deposit of $50 into your bank account, so has God DEPOSITED RIGHTEOUSNESS into the spiritual accounts of every believer. And just as I can go down to the bank and withdraw all the money out of my account and leave it empty, so has God withdrawn all the sin on our spiritual accounts and left them ‘Sinless’.  We are thus reconciled as sinners but saved by Christ’s life! Rom 5:10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Presently Jesus Christ continues in the power of an endless and sinless life and we are saved by His life.

       GOD COMMITTED THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION TO BELIEVERS

2 Cor 5:19-20, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

             1.   The Word of Reconciliation is the Gospel, Even the Gospel of Peace

                        a. We Are To Preach the Gospel of Peace.

Rom 10:15, And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

                        b. We Ought to Be Prepared and Eager to Share The Gospel of Peace

Eph 6:15, And your feet shod with the preparation (Eagerness) of the gospel of peace;

                        c. We Enjoy Peace With God Because We Are Reconciled

Rom 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:   (What a change because of reconciliation, no longer at war, but at peace with God)

             2.   The Believer is an Ambassador for Christ

2 Cor. 5:20, Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The Ambassador belongs to the one who sent him; he is commissioned by the one who sent him; he possesses the authority of the one who sent him, he shares the message of the one who sent him.

Since Christians in this world are ambassadors of Christ, this means that the World is in rebellion against God.  This world is the enemy of God and stands desperately in need of reconciliation.  But God is concerned and has sent out His Ambassadors to declare peace not war!

What a HIGH HONOR to be an Ambassador of a far country called Heaven and the KING of KINGS. In God’s Program of Reconcilement there must be a means of propagating this message to the World.  Dignity and Privilege are two reasons why we need not be ashamed or embarrassed about sharing the Gospel of Christ.

IV. The Mandates of Reconciliation (5:20)

2 Cor 5:20, Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. “Be ye reconciled to God”!

       SINNER, ANSWER THE CALL TO SALVATION

2 Cor 6:2, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

       SAINT, OBEY THE COMMAND TO SERVE (Mature in Relationship to God) “Be reconciled to God!”

              1.  Become a More Effective and Eager Witness

              2.  Send Out More Missionaries and Personally Considering the Ministry

              3.  Draw Nearer to God Personally, the Essence of True Spiritual Maturity.

              4.  Grow in Appreciation for the Goodness of God Towards Us when we were Hostile Sinners

So, once again reconciliation is God taking initiative based on Christ’s death to eliminate the cause of hostility between Himself and fallen humanity.  By doing so, He makes possible a complete and maturing relationship between Himself and believers. Yes, the hostility points back to our sinfulness, but our sin was paid entirely through the blood of Christ’s cross.

Reconciliation means to change thoroughly, to change from enmity to friendship, to bring together, to restore. Through the work of Jesus Christ we believers have been restored to God! And there is still room for more….        

We who have been reconciled to God have been given the ministry of reconciliation and are charged to be reconciled to God. Let us intentionally strive to be good ambassadors for Christ!

Beloved, this is God’s Program of Reconciliation:

• God provided reconciliation through Christ    
• God does not credit sin to the Believer
• God committed the Gospel of reconciliation to us Believers

We who have been reconciled have the charge to grow and progress in our fellowship with and service to God!

If you are still and enemy of God, I invite you to accept God’s provision for reconciliation, Jesus Christ! Trust him today!

Christ Came To Save The Lost

LUKE 19:10; ROMANS 3:10-12, 19, 23-26

SUBJECT: SALVATION

THEME: all of mankind is spiritually lost and severed from God because of our natural bent toward sinfulness. This lost condition will result in eternal damnation in Hell unless we repent receiving Christ as our personal Savior. Christ came to save you and me from the eternal consequences of our sin; trust him today to be rescued from an eternal nightmare in Hell.  

INTRODUCTION:

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

1.  We must Begin by Asking What We Mean by “Lost” and “Saved.”

By “lost” we mean that our relationship with God is broken by our sin, and when we die, we will go to Hell. By “saved,” we mean that our relationship with God has been restored through faith in Jesus Christ and we are forgiven for our sins, redeemed by Jesus Christ, adopted into God’s family, and we will go to Heaven.

For the last two thousand years, one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith is that there is a holy God, humanity is lost, and everyone needs to be saved. Because we are guilty before God we cannot save ourselves.

2.  We must Also Understand That Everyone is Guilty of Acting Sinful Before God.

If we do not trust Christ as our very own personal Savior, we will be cast into the Lake of fire forever. This is fair punishment for those who die guilty of practicing sin before a perfect God.

Romans 3:10-12, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:19, Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rev. 21:8, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Therefore, being lost is not a light or trivial matter; it is of great importance to everyone. If mankind was basically good and everyone will go to Heaven automatically, then Jesus Christ never would have come into this world seeking sinners. He would never have endeavored to die for our sin in order to save us through faith in Him as the God-Man Savior. 

3.  Consider Sin and the Cross of Christ to Understand the Importance of Being Saved. 

In Acts 4:12 we read, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Clearly, it is through, on the basis of, Jesus Christ and His cross, burial, and resurrection alone that God forgives and saves sinners.

In fact, the cross is proof of both the immense love of God and the profound wickedness of sin. Do you want to see God’s love at its highest and sin’s vileness at its worse?

     A.  Look at the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. See Him hanging on the cross—the sinless, spotless, Lamb of God, bearing the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). Hear Him cry in agony, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani” —that is, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). 

       B.  Realize That Nothing Short of the Shed Blood of the Eternal, Beloved Son of God Himself Could Have Atoned for our Sin. The weight of our guilt must have been infinitely heavy and the heinousness of our sin indescribably ugly to require such a sacrifice! And God’s love must have been inexpressibly rich to allow it!

The Following Are the Fundamental Reasons Why Mankind Is Spiritually Lost:

MESSAGE:

I.  Consider Solid Proof That Mankind Is Lost And Needs To Be Saved.

Man is unquestionably spiritually lost and desperately needs to be saved from his sin. God, motivated by His love and grace, exerted great effort and expense to convey to mankind our lost condition so that we can choose to be saved. Note the following reasons why humanity is lost:

A.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS SO.

   1. What Does the Bible Say about Humanity's Lostness?

The Bible declares that all of us have committed sins, and every one of us comes short of the glorious perfection of God. In addition, the wages (what we have earned as a result of serving sinfulness) of our sin is eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

        A.  We All Stand in Desperate Need of Salvation Because of Our Sinfulness.

Since we take the Bible at face value, we simply cannot avoid the fact that humanity is lost and in need of personal salvation. In Romans, two verses combine with particular force: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom. 3:23) and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.  6:23).

        B.  We All Presently Stand Before God Condemned Until We Believe On Christ for Salvation.

John 3:16-18, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.     

B.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE WE CANNOT SAVE OURSELVES.

   1.  As Sinners, We Cannot Improve Our Own Condition in the Eyes of a Perfect God.

Jeremiah 13:23, Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. The obvious answer is NO!

        A. We Love Darkness Rather than Light (Jn. 3:19).

Sin is so much a part of our nature and we love it so much that we are unable to break away from its domination over our lives. We literally look forward to sin and actually make plans to sin!

        B.  We Are Naturally Hostile Toward God (Rom. 8:7–8).

The unregenerate mind/heart is naturally hostile toward God and it refuses to submit itself to the law of God.  In reality, it is not even able to do so; those who are still in the fallen fleshly lost condition cannot ever please God.  We are born in this condition and, therefore completely hopeless without God’s intervention.

        C.  We as Unredeemed Sinners Are Slaves of Our Sin (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:20).

As Job asked, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. ” (Job 14:4).  Remember the corrupt and bad tree will bear bad fruit and such a tree cannot produce good fruit (Matt. 7:17–18).

   2.  As Sinners, Even Our Best Efforts Cannot Save Us from Hell.

Rom. 3:12, . . . there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

         A.  No Amount of Tears Can Atone for Sin.

         B.  No Number of Good Deeds. These cannot make amends for wrongs we have committed against God. While we can do good things, we cannot only do good acts.

         C.  No Quantity of Prayer or Personal Devotion. These cannot remove our guilt or cover it in any way either.

         D.  No Amount of Suffering in Hell. Even everlasting burning in Hell will not purify the soul from sin. In the human realm there is nothing in time or eternity that can free us from the guilt of our sin. Those who seek a do-it-yourself solution to the problem of sin only shackle themselves all the more securely to their guilt.

    3.  Even One Small Sin is Extremely Offensive to God.

Rom. 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Moreover, the smallest sin is so exceedingly vile that God—despite His infinite mercy, grace, and forgiveness—will not and cannot overlook even one sin without exacting its full penalty. 

Think of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the size of their sin. They simply ate what was forbidden, but yet it was an act of disobedience and rebellion! They did not murder anyone nor did they lie, they disobeyed God. That is serious sin! God held them responsible for their actions.

C.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE WE DISOBEY OUR OWN CONSCIENCE.

    1.  We All Have Been Guilty of Ignoring Our Conscience.

Notice the clear biblical teaching about our guilty conscience. Romans 2:14-16,   For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: [15]  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  [16]  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

    2.  How Does Our Conscience Show That We Are Lost?

Our conscience shows that we are lost since we are unable to live up to our own standards, let alone God's.

(Anders)

        A.  What Does Our Own Conscience Tell Us about Our Goodness?

Do you sometimes do things even though you know they are wrong? Do you sometimes fail to do things, even though you know they are right? Are you a perfect human being, even by your own standards, let alone God's?

The Christian teaching of the depravity of humanity does not hold that humanity is incapable of doing any good. Obviously, humanity is capable of doing great good. Look at the hospitals, look at the orphanages, and look at the disaster relief that do good for humanity all around the world. Yes, humanity is capable of doing well. But at the same time, we are incapable of not doing evil. It was Anders who observed,

The same person, who administrates an orphanage, doing good for hundreds of children, may go home and physically abuse his own child. The politician who is responsible for getting a hospital built for disadvantaged rural people may take a bribe from a construction company. Even the preacher who proclaims the gospel on Sunday morning may be hard and insensitive toward his wife. (Anders)

        B.  Have You Ever Tried to Be Perfect?

Have you ever tried to live up to your own standards, let alone God's standard of perfection? Have you ever said, “From this day on, I will do all the good I am able, and I will refrain from doing wrong.” (Anders)

If you have, then you know that you are incapable of living perfectly. If you have not tried it, try it. It will not be long before you go down in defeat.

I came to the conclusion, early in my Christian experience, as I tried to be perfect, that I could make myself do almost anything I wanted to except desire to do only good all the time. My “wanter” is basically flawed. And even if it were not, I still do not believe I could perform perfectly. It simply is not in me. It is not in anyone. (Anders)

        C. Do You Think Heaven Is a Perfect Place?

If you do, and if you are not perfect, how will you get there? How can the imperfect be joined to the perfect?

Either the imperfect cannot be joined to the perfect, or else the perfect becomes corrupted or contaminated by being united with the imperfect. Neither one can be true if Heaven is to be a perfect place where we can live with God forever (Rev. 21:22-27).

        D.  So What Is the Solution? There is only one. We must become spiritually perfect. We must admit that we are lost and in need of the salvation God offers, and ask Him to forgive our sins and makes us spiritually perfect. This is God’s solution.

II. Consider Solid Proof That Christ Is Willing And Able To Save Us.

There has to be a solution. There must be a way God can satisfy His perfect righteousness yet enable Him to display His rich mercy toward sinners. The cross of Christ provided the way by enabling the only Perfect Sacrifice to atone for human sin once for all.  (Rom. 3:24-26)

A.  JESUS CHRIST IS THE SINLESS SAVIOR.

    1.  He Was Perfect and Sinless.

The offering for sin had to be perfect, spotless, untainted by sin. Jesus lived a sinless, holy life in perfect obedience to God’s law.

Hebrews 4:15,  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 7:26,  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

    2.  He Was a Perfect Sacrifice.

Our Lord, the sinless One, was the Lamb of God to be offered up as the final sacrifice for our sin (Jn. 1:29).

        A.  That Is the Very Purpose for Which Jesus Came.

1 John 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.   

        B.  As He Hung on the Cross, He Carried the Guilt of Our Sin.

Isaiah 53:4-5, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Hebrews 9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?    

     3.  He is a Perfect Savior.

He paid the penalty to the fullest on our behalf. And in the same way that our sins were imputed to Him, so His righteousness is reckoned to us who believe: “For [God] he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21). He rose from the dead to declare His victory over sin. “Who [Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25).

 

B.  JESUS CHRIST IS ABLE TO SAVE.

Hebrews 7:25, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Jude 1:24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (2 Tim 1:12)

                                                                      

C.  JESUS CHRIST IS WILLING TO SAVE.

1 Timothy 2:3-6, For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2 Pet 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for “by His stripes we are healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). That is the only possible remedy for our sin. It is the only way God can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).

CONCLUSION:

Ezekiel 33:11, Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?                                                                                        

God makes an incredibly gracious appeal to humanity to turn to Him in faith. He assures us there is no hope or promise in a life or guilt-ridden death for our sins against Himself! Can you hear Him almost shouting to you asking, “Why will ye die?” Listen to His counsel to ‘turn from your wicked ways and live through the forgiveness He offers.’ God does not take any measure of pleasure in condemning the lost/unsaved person forever! Turn to Him for forgiveness today. Trust Christ and God will deal graciously with you because you accepted Christ’s complete payment for all sins. Come to Christ in faith now….

A LOST person can be SAVED when he/she acknowledges the fact that they are LOST. We must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE who can SAVE us or FIND us in our LOST condition/situation. To be Lost now and die without trusting the only one who can find you is to spend all eternity lost in Eternal Punishment in Hell. Why not trust Jesus Christ today and realize the forgiveness of sins God offers? Come to Christ Jesus in faith before it is eternally too late to do so.