Why the Law?

 

Galatians 3:19-22

SUBJECT: GRACE AND LAW

THEME: regarding salvation by grace through faith, the Law’s primary purpose is to assist and complement the Gospel of grace in God’s plan of redemption for all people. 

INTRODUCTION: Paul reveals critical insight into the ways and purposes of Almighty God. He shows how the Law does not contradict the grace and promises of God, but rather that it complements and cooperates with the principles of Grace to fulfil the purposes of God.

While Law and grace seem to be contrary to one another, it is vital we look carefully to the Scriptures, where we will discover that they actually complement one another.

LESSON: Why, Then, Was the Law Given?

THE LAW WAS NOT GIVEN TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL LIFE (v.21).

Galatians 3:21, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  (See also Gal. 2:21; Rom. 3:20– the law brings death-{Gal. 2:19; Rom. 9:31-32})

   1.  It Could Only Regulated Sinful Lives.

Certainly the Law of Moses regulated the lives of the Jewish people, but it did not and could not provide spiritual life to the people. (Gal. 3:21 should be matched with 2:21.) If life and righteousness could have come through the Law, then Jesus Christ would never have died on the cross.

Galatians 2:21, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 5:4, Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Romans 11:5-6, Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

   2.  It Could Not Give Righteousness and Life.

But Jesus did die; therefore, the Law could never give the sinner life and righteousness.  It was “worship of the Law” and misunderstanding its purpose that led Israel into a self-righteous religion of works, the result of which was the rejection of Christ (Rom. 9:30-10:13).

THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO REVEAL THE NATURE OF SIN (vv. 19a, 22).

It is here that we see the way that Law and Grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:19, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Galatians 3:22, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

    1.  Law Shows the Sinner His Guilt, and Grace Shows Him the Forgiveness He Can Have in Christ. The Law is "holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12), but we are unholy, unjust, and bad. The Law does not make us sinners; it reveals to us that we already are sinners (see Rom. 3:20). The Law is a mirror that helps us see our dirt and filth (James 1: 22-25)-but we do not wash our face with the mirror! It is grace that provides the cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ (see 1 John 1:7b).

Whether through the written law of Scripture or the inward law of conscience, until a person acknowledges his basic sinfulness and inability to perfectly fulfill the demands of God’s law, he will not come repentantly to seek salvation. Until he despairs of himself and his own sinfulness, he will not come in humble faith to be filled with Christ’s righteousness. A person who says he wants salvation but refuses to recognize and repent of his sin deceives himself. Salvation is deliverance from sin, and a person cannot: want to keep his sin and at the same time want to be free from it. He cannot truly want the new Christ-life of righteousness without renouncing the old self-life of sin. (See James 4:7–10 for a clear delineation of the proper elements of saving faith.)

    2.  There Is a Lawful Use of the Law, and There Is an Unlawful Use (1 Tim. 1:8-11).

       A.  The Lawful Use Is to Reveal Sin and Cause Men to See Their Need of the Savior. There is an appropriate and biblical usage of the OT Law for today. Not only are its principles a moral compass, but it is an extraordinary tool for evangelism. The Lord Jesus used it this way and so did the apostles. You see the Law helps the sinner see he is a sinner by an absolute and objective standard of righteousness. Once the Law has done its work to reveal our guilt before a holy God, the Gospel and the Law together point the sinner to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. But, Christians observing the Law as OT Law is not required; we are not Jews/Israel or a government entity. We cannot enforce the associated penalties of such a Law; this simply is not New Testament Faith. Without official enforcement it is not actually Law. The spirit of the Law reveals our sinfulness and God’s righteous character, and points us to Jesus Christ as the only solution.

       B.  The Unlawful Use Is to Try to Achieve Salvation by the Keeping of the Law. When people claim they are saved by "keeping the Ten Commandments," they are revealing their ignorance of the true meaning of the Law. The Law “Scripture” concludes "all [men] under sin" (Gal. 3:22), Jews and Gentiles alike. But since all are under sin, then all may be saved by grace! God does not have two ways of salvation; He has but one---faith in Jesus Christ. 

In light of Paul’s convincing argument up to this point, the obvious question would be, ‘Why the Law then?’  If salvation has always been by faith and never by works, and if the covenant of promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, what purpose did “the Law” have?  (Gal. 3:19)

Paul’s answer is direct and sobering: “It was added because of transgressions” (stepping over the boundary). The Law was intended to reveal sin in its true character as transgression. The purpose of the Law was to demonstrate to man his total sinfulness, his inability to please God by his own works, and his need for mercy and grace. Certainly, sin existed before the Law was given but man did not recognize sin as going beyond God’s boundaries until God stated the boundaries. Transgression is the violation of a known law.  “The Law … was added” to show the depth of man’s “transgressions” against God. It was given to drive him to desperate guilt and the awareness of his need for the Deliverer, Jesus Christ. The law demonstrated the unworthiness of any man to receive free and unconditional salvation and blessing. If man is to be blessed, it must be by the grace of God. If a person is to be saved, it must be by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

CONCLUSION:

Some try to come to Jesus without first meeting Moses. They want to skip the Old Testament, to inherit the promise of justification in Christ without the prior pain of condemnation by the law. We need the law to lift off the lid of our respectability and disclose what we are really like underneath—sinful, rebellious, guilty, under the judgment of God and helpless to save ourselves. Not until the law has humbled us even to Hell will we turn to the gospel to raise us to Heaven.

There are some, however, who go to Moses and the law to be condemned and stay in this unhappy bondage. They are still living in the Old Testament. They are marked by labor and are heavy laden! Their religion is a grievous yoke, hard to be borne. They have never come to Christ to be set free.

Our faith is a logical faith and can be defended on rational grounds. While there are divine mysteries in the faith that no man can fully explain, there are also divine reasons that any sincere person can understand. The purpose of the Law of God is among them.

Your Response Matters to God

Phil. 2:12–13

Theme: To become like Christ requires the work of God deep within.

Introduction:

The spiritual life is a journey, and you can always see farther down the road spiritually than you currently are. For that reason, our lives are often haunted by discontentment at best, and deep frustration at worst. In the better moments of our spiritual pilgrimage, we are pleased with the spiritual progress God has granted, enriched by the communion of the Lord and the fellowship of other believers. Yet even in these good moments, we know that there is more—we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We sense the character gulf between us and the Lord Jesus is still sizable. As a result, we Christians are unsettled and drawn inescapably beyond the ground on which we stand, toward chock-full communion with Christ. A number of realizations helps us in our journey; one is the work of God deep within the hearts and minds of His people to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.

Message:

To become like Christ requires the combination of the work of God, the Word of God, prayer, personal commitment, other believers, and time and trials. Yes, the Work of God within is one of seven key ingredients required for us to develop a mature Christian character and know a life marked by victory instead of defeat. If we make these a part of our daily experience and recognize how God uses each of them, then we will indeed grow in the Lord. Today let us focus on the Work of God deep within the believer and a congregation for positive change.

I.    Respond Faithfully to The Work of God Within (Phil. 2:12-13).

Phil 2:12-13,Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

A.   Continue to Walk in Obedience before the Lord and unto the Lord (vs. 12).

                                        1.     Certainly, we should obey God through the influence of spiritual leaders.

i.       Just as the Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the Father and carried out His plan even to death on the cross (v. 8).

ii.     These Philippian Christians needed to obey, to follow Paul’s instruction which was drawn from Christ’s selfless example. (Walvoord, J.)

iii.   Obedience is compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.

iv.   Obedience is more than mere compliance, which is behavior influenced by peers, and from conformity, which is behavior intended to match that of the majority. No, the Lord wants your heart.

                                        2.     Surely, we should continue in obedience when spiritual leaders are not around; Paul understood he could potentially die soon.

i.       Hebrews 13:7, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. ⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. ^[1]

ii.     Hebrews 13: 17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.^[2]

                                        3.     Consistent obedience to the Lord is a mark of real maturity and worth thriving for; obedience should certainly be towards the Lord’s authority.

                                        4.     Next, our work should be as to Christ. These words show that there should be no real distinction between the secular and the sacred. All that we do should be for Him—with a view to pleasing and honoring Him and to attracting others to Him. The most menial and commonplace tasks in life are ennobled and dignified when they are done for the glory of God. Even washing dishes! That is why some Christian housewives have this motto over their kitchen sink: “Divine service held here three times daily.”^[3]

                                        5.     Ephesians 6:5-8, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ^[4]

                                        6.     Colossians 3:22-24, Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.^[5]

B.   Work out your Sanctification with Holy Reverence for God (vs. 12).

                                        1.     God commands us to “work it out!”

i.       “Work out” means to apply salvation, not to earn it.

ii.     A servant’s heart must be developed through devotion, education, and application.

iii.   Developing selfless attitudes and humility in service requires significant spiritual power and commitment from us. 1 Timothy 4:15-16, Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. ¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.^[6]

iv.   “Work out your own salvation” implies taking personal ownership and responsibility to realize godly change by the grace of God. This is not encouraging independence from God, but cooperation and living in concert with him. Note the example of the Apostle Peter in Acts 10.

                                        2.     God did not say “work for your salvation!”

i.       Titus, 3:5, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴ But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.^[7]

ii.     “Salvation” here in Phil. 2:12, is a general reference to growth in grace or sanctification

iii.   Salvation is not by works for justification or sanctification; it is by grace and through faith motivated by love.

iv.   Salvation means the solution of the problem that was vexing the Philippians, that is, their contentions. They had been plagued with squabbles and strife. The apostle has given them the remedy. Now they are to apply the remedy by having the mind of Christ. Thus, they would work out their own salvation, or the solution of their difficulty. (MacDonald, W.)

                                        3.     Godward respect and reverence are the real sources of obedience and not horror or fright. This is the sense of “fear and trembling.” Beloved, it is an incredible honor for us to experience the direct involvement of Almighty God in our development and maturity.

i.       Have proper respect in response to God’s work and blessings in your experience!

ii.     Hebrews 12:28-29, Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.^[8]

iii.   Isiah 66:1-2, Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me?  And where is the place of my rest? ² For all those things hath mine hand made, And all those things have been, saith the Lord: But to this man will I look, Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And trembleth at my word.^[9]

C.   Know that God is at Work in you Creating Godly Desires (vs. 13).

                                        1.     We must “work out” what God is “working in” each of us. Once again we see a marvelous merging of the divine and human activity. In one sense, we are called on to work out our salvation. In another sense, it is only God who can enable us to do it. We must do our part, and God will do His.

                                        2.     God initiates the work deep within our hearts; He is the deeper incentive and motivation to live a Christ-like life.

i.       The desire, motivation and will to do right come from him

ii.     The energy and power to execute is also supplied by the Lord to the obedient saint.

                                        3.     God is at work in us presently “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” He is creating desires and fueling spiritual ambitions! He gives inner promptings to guide His people into his plans.

                                        4.     Someone has said, “God does the work of God, and man does the work of man. Man cannot do the work of God, and God will not do the work of man.” (M. Anders??)

D.   Fulfill your Responsibility to be Faithful and Please the Lord (vs. 13).

                                        1.     We do God’s will for his “good pleasure” and delight as our first priority

                                        2.     If that is the case, we must be clear about what is the work of God and what is our responsibility. We have a great genius for turning the two around. We prefer to try to do the work of God and neglect the work of man. It doesn’t work.

                                        3.     We must look to God to initiate the work in our hearts, and we must respond with faithful obedience.

E.   Be Sensitive to God’s Guidance, Promptings and the Spirit’s Voice Within.

                                        1.     Ignore the advice of the Devil to rebel or live for self and your own pleasure. Remember how Jesus rebuke Peter for listening to the Devil (Matt. 16:21-28).

                                        2.     Ignore the advice of our godless society telling us to live for our own satisfaction and our own glory or advancement.

                                        3.     Listen to the Spirit who encourages us to follow the selfless, sacrificial, and service model of Jesus Christ to God’s glory (Phil. 2:1-11).

 

Conclusion:

Today we focused on the Work of God deep within the believer and a congregation for positive change. To become like Christ requires the work of God deep within. What is God doing in your heart today? What motives and desires is He installing in your sensibilities? What character qualities is He building in you? How are you responding to Him? Are you obedient? It matters to God how we respond.

The Christian life is one of continual transformation, from the revolutionary change of our conversion to the daily renewal of our hearts and minds as we learn to live like Christ. We live in hopeful expectation of ultimate transformation, as well, when we shall be made perfect.

But until that time, we must live in this imperfect world. Although we can look forward to our future perfection, it can be discouraging to have to deal with the flaws within us and others. Just keep responding obediently to the work of God deep within. 

---

^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 13:6–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 13:17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1950). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 6:5–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Col 3:22–24). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Ti 4:15–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Tt 3:3–7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[8] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 12:28–29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[9] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 66). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The First Leg of the Race

TEXT: JOHN 20:19-23

SUBJECT: MISSIONS

THEME: God extends to each of us the grand privilege of co-laboring together with him in worldwide missions—the ministry of reconciliation. The four Characters of this passage represent the four legs of the world missions’ relay race, and we will consider their labors through the course of human history on into the future.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Mission is the work of God, and it began in the Garden of Eden after Adam’s fall into sin. That is correct, missions did not began merely 2 thousand years ago with the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. It began with the entire Godhead as the Father leads.

2.  Now let us consider ourselves in a “Missions Relay Race” with four Participants. John chapter 20 give us another Great Commission passage, and in this instance the entire Godhead is mentioned in relation to Christ’s church. Of course all of this is in the context of advancing and continuing the ministry and mission of God in the world. The four Participants are found in verse 21, “Father,” “Me,” “You” and in verse 22, “Holy Ghost.” Each participant represents another part of missions’ history on into missions’ future. Each time the baton is passed from one participant to the next, we enter another leg of missions.

LESSON:

THE FIRST LEG OF MISSIONS: JOHN 20:21 “Father” (Jn. 5:17)

THE LABOR OF THE FATHER; A WORK OF PREPARATION

John 5:17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

According to John 20:21, The Lord Jesus is unmistakably the Son of God sent by Father God—God’s sent One. Jesus is operating in full harmony with the Father’s will and goals, and here as the sent One he commissions his disciples/apostles and sends them into the world to evangelize.

Up to the point when the Son starts His public ministry, the Father is busy preparing, situating, designing, and sovereignly bringing about his great purpose of redemption. Jesus says, “My Father worketh hitherto….” He is organizing and providentially guiding history on a course that provides salvation to humanity—preparation. This is the labor of the Father; His incredible contributions to the plan of reconciliation.

So then, since The FALL in the Garden of Eden, God has been busy about the Ministry of Reconciliation. Christ Jesus executed the critical role of presenting himself as the supreme sacrifice for our sins. And as we preach the gospel we engage in this Ministry of Reconciliation. This statement presupposes several thoughts.

       A.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PLAN (Gen. 3:1-24)

If humanity is to be reconciled to God, it presupposes that the human race had a relationship with God previously. Generally, in principle you can’t restore or reunite total strangers or two that have never been united! Humanity cherished a relationship and fellowship with God in the person of Adam (we were all in Adam). Adam is not only a literal person, but he is both the Federal and Seminal head of the human race. That is, he represented all humanity officially, and we all are biologically connected to him. Humanity’s treasured relationship to the Almighty Creator was changed and this incredible fellowship with Him was severed by SIN when Adam rebelled in the Garden (Gen. 3). Ever since that Fall, we are all born in sin and separated from God. The spiritual connection between God and fallen humanity is utterly shattered and dashed to a trillion pieces. Hence our need to be reconciled; a reconciliation we cannot effectuate ourselves…it depends entirely upon the Lord God’s initiative. Let’s take a look at his great plan.

                 1. The Father’s Plan of Salvation: The Picture of the Salvation (Gen. 3:21)

Genesis 3:21, Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, God sprung into decisive action providing a covering for them. This primitive form of atonement involved sacrifice of life—death and bloodshed. When God provided “coats or skins” it prefigure how he would ultimately provide atonement and covering for fallen humanity through a substitute and representative. In essence we have the Gospel and the Father’s plan of Redemption—Reconciliation—in embryonic form:

                         a. The Plan Involves the Grace of God

                         b. The Plan Involves the Shedding of Blood

                         c. The Plan Involves a Covering by Righteousness

                         d. The Plan Involves a Substitutionary Sacrifice (innocent blood)

                         e. The Plan Involves Acceptance of God’s Salvation by Faith

These same principles of salvation are brought to their fullest expression in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this incredible passage the Father foreshadowed them brilliantly!

                 2. The Father’s Plans for a Savior: The Promise of the Savior (Gen. 3: 15)

Genesis 3:15, And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve/Mary], and between thy seed and her seed [Jesus]; it shall bruise thy head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise his heel.

The Protevangelium is declared first by the Father! Though Adam and Eve along with all humanity will suffer greatly under sin’s curse, enslavement and the brutality of Satan, the Father declares the good news that Satan and sin will ultimately be defeated by the “Seed of the woman,” which is the earliest reference to the Lord Jesus in the role of Savior/Deliverer. Again, this portrays God coming to our rescue. Note in detail what is given in Genesis 3:15:

                        a. Satan is exposed as the Enemy of the Human Race

                        b. The Savior will be Virgin Born into the Human Race    

                        c. The Savior will be Victorious over Satan and Sin

                        d. The Savior will die a Vicarious Death by means of Crucifixion

Furthermore, we are informed by the Apostle Peter how the eternal Godhead planned for humanity’s reconciliation before the creation of the universe.

First Peter 1:18-20, 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; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (Rev. 13:8; Tit. 1:2-3; 2Tim. 1:9-10; Eph. 3:11)

No, the matter of our reconciliation is not piecemeal, disjointed, willy-nilly, random, or haphazard. It is the very plan of God being pictured, forecasted, and prefigured in such passages. A plan that would unfold over several millennia, but a fully intact strategy with specific outcomes in view—reconciliation to God. What love and grace it must involve to devise such an elaborate and extraordinary plan. Another observation here is irresistible…. God does not merely react to developments; he is a planner, designer, strategists, and manager. Understanding what would happen in the future, he proactively devised an incredible plan for reconciliation. Thus, before there was a world, God had a well thought out plan as to how he will redeem fallen humanity.

       B.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PEOPLE (Gen. 12:1-3)

Genesis 12:1-3,  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  2,  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  3,  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God in his wisdom and grace selected and used the Nation of Israel to provide to the world the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. This was a tremendous and arduous undertaking to be certain!

                  1.  God Prepared a Man: He Called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 26:1-5; 28:12-15)

                  2.  God Prepared a Nation: He Choose the Nation of Israel/Jacob (Numb. 24:17)  

                  3.  God Prepared a Tribe: He Choose the Tribe of Judah (Gen. 49: 8-10; Lk. 3:33)

                  4.  God Prepared a Family: He Choose the Family Line of David (Isa. 9:7; Lk. 1:32, 33)

                           a. Through David’s son Solomon—Joseph—Foster Father of our Lord Jesus

                           b. Through David’s son Nathan—Mary—Virgin Mother of our Lord Jesus

                 5.  God Prepared His Son:  He Sent His Son into the World (Jn. 20:21; 3:16, 17)

The unique role of the Jewish Nation in God redemptive plan cannot be overstated. All the families of the earth will be blessed by the Seed of Abraham! All of the toil and challenges and struggles with the Nation of Israel to keep them distinct and devoted to Him is a part of the Father’s plan to supply the only hope of salvation the world will ever know. Through the lives, history, struggles, documents, Scriptures and covenants, the Savior’s entrance into the world would not be strange and unanticipated. Through the nation a stage was being set for the Savior to step out on and provide our redemption. How thankful I am to the Father and the Jewish Nation for giving the world the Lord Jesus Messiah.

       C.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PERSON (Jesus Christ, the Son of God)

Hebrews 10:5-7, Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:  6, In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.  7, Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

This is typically what we celebrate at Christmas season, the incarnation of the Son of God. The birth of the Messiah…the coming of the Savior, Lord, and new born King! Through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived and the Lord or Glory was placed on earth inside the body of a young virgin name Mary. Yes, the seed of the woman is Jesus and the woman is Mary. As the Scriptures predicted, so our Lord comes to execute the very will and plan of the Father voluntarily. Ultimately, all of the Old Testament animal sacrifices pointed to one singular Sacrifice—the death of Christ at Calvary for all sinners everywhere. The Father sent the Son to be Prophet, Priest, and Potentate:

                 1. This Person is to be The Prophet: He will Proclaim God and the Message of God to the People

                 2.  This Person is to be The Priest: He will Mediate between God and the People and even become the Sacrifice for the People’s Sin                                                            

                 3.  This Person is to be The Potentate: He will Reign as God over the People

This will be developed more fully in the next article in this series. Clearly the Father is a designer, strategic planner and project manager. Throughout his leg of the race we witness extraordinary wisdom, power, grace, love, patience, determination, and hope. The Father is not putting forth a token effort, nor is he casual about worldwide evangelism. He cares deeply and has sacrificed greatly that we sinners might be reconciled to him. All of this preparation and labor is for our benefit and reconciliation to him. 

Listen, preparation is never a waste of time and resources in a worthy cause. Preparation for service to God is still a praiseworthy endeavor. Invest the time, energy and effort to be excellent in your ministry for Christ’s glory. Secondly, anything worth doing is worth doing with your entire being. Throw yourself into service to Christ and the ministry of evangelism because the impact is eternal. It is worth the time and effort to present sinners with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, give in support of world missions endeavors as one who fully realize you are entering into a grand privilege of co-laboring together with the Almighty. Set aside resources to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the greatest work on earth—reconciling lost humanity to the Lord God Almighty. Fourthly, trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior for the forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to God. It is not through religion, rituals, human relationships, or our performance that we are saved. No, God saves us by his grace through faith purely motivated by his great love for us. Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and arose from the dead the third day as the Scriptures said he would. That is correct, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and living Savior who triumphed over death, hell, sin, and the grave! Like me, you are guilty of more sins than you can count…you need the Lord…just like me. We all have sinned...we all have lied, stolen, cheated, and put other things before God. Admit to God your sinfulness and ask him for forgiveness. I did this, and God forgave me. He will forgive you also. Turn to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of your sin today. There is no reason to put this decision off any longer. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since the Son has been born into the world and his mission defined, the Father God now passes the baton to the Son of God. Yes, the Father ran his portion of the race with power, wisdom, determination, zeal, grace, and focus; now he passes the baton to his darling Son. Mid-stride as Jesus takes the baton we enter the second leg of missions.