JESUS GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS

Texts: Isaiah 53; Galatians 1:1-5

I. JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS (Galatians 1:4; Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 15:3)

A. The nature of sin.

1. The most expensive thing in the world is _________________.

2. _________ is expensive because:

a. God is holy and just and sin separates us from God (Genesis 3:23-24; Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 7:23; 25:41).

“He that considers these things well, understands that this one word “sin” comprehends God’s everlasting wrath and the whole kingdom of Satan, and that it is a thing more horrible than can be expressed; this ought to move us and make us afraid indeed” (Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians).

b. Even what seems to be a “little sin” can have unimaginable consequences (see Questions 15-19 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Q.19 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism

What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, (Gen. 3:8,10,24) are under his wrath and curse, (Eph. 2:2–3, Gal. 3:10) and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. (Lam. 3:39, Rom. 6:23, Matt. 25:41,46)

3. We live in an evil age (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:16; 6:13; Philippians 2:15; cf. 2 Timothy 4:10).

B. The weight and magnitude of our sin is such that nothing less than the death of Jesus can save us from our sins and from this present evil age.

C. The good news of the Gospel is that God did not leave us to die in our condition of sin and misery (Galatians 1:4; see Question 19 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism).

Q.19 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate (condition) of sin and misery?

God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, (Eph. 1:4) did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. (Rom. 3:20–22, Gal. 3:21–22)

D. Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins (Galatians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3; cf. John 10:15; Acts 13:38; Romans 5:6,8; 14:9,15; 1 Cor 8:11; 2 Cor 5:14, 15; Gal 2:21; 1 Thess 5:10).

1. The only way our sin could be removed was the death of Jesus on the cross.

2. Jesus’ death on the cross according to the will of God the Father is the only foundation for God’s acceptance of us. The cross is therefore the only foundation of the church’s acceptance of others (cf. Galatians 2:11-21).

3. The only way we could be rescued from this present evil age was through the resurrection of Jesus.

“Again, by this verse it is declared that our sins are so great, so infinite and invincible, that it is impossible for the whole world to satisfy for one of them. And surely the greatness of the ransom (namely, Christ the Son of God, who gave Himself for our sins) declares sufficiently that we can neither satisfy for sin nor have dominion over it. The force and power of sin is set forth and amplified exceedingly by these words: “Who gave Himself for our sins.” Therefore here is to be marked the infinite greatness of the price bestowed for it, and then it will appear evident that the power of it is so great, that by no means it could be put away, but that the Son of God must be given for it” (Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians).

E. The death of Jesus was substitutionary.

“The leading principles of Christ’s gospel are two, -- ‘that men are restored to the Divine favour entirely on account of the doings and sufferings of Jesus Christ,’ and ‘that men are interested in these doings and sufferings entirely by believing.’ Now, every plan of restoring men to God’s favour, which does not embrace these two principles, or which embraces what is inconsistent with either of them, is another gospel. Every plan, for example, which, like that of the Judaising teachers, leads men to depend on their own obedience to any law to any extent, in any degree, either as the ground of their justification or the means of their justification, is another gospel” (John Brown, Exposition of Galatians p.45).

II. SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS

III. HOW DO WE FIND PRESENT COMFORT IN THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE?

QUESTIONS FOR SABBATH DISCUSSION & MEDITATION

Pray that God would enable you and give you the desire to be conformed to His Word as read and preached today.

Is there a contrast between a harsh and angry Father versus a loving Son? How do we know that God the Father loved us? (see John 3:16)

What is the only foundation of God’s acceptance of us? What should be the only foundation of the church’s acceptance of others?

What is the most expensive thing in the world? Why should this give you pause when you are angry with someone else for making a costly purchase or causing an accident?

False Gospels

“The view of the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world is a barbarian idea based on primitive concepts of God and must be dismissed” (Bishop John Spong).

“One sacrifice, however great, is insufficient to pay the debt of sin. The atonement requires constant self-immolation on the sinner's part. That God's wrath should be vented upon His beloved Son, is divinely unnatural. Such a theory is man-made” (Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science cult; Science and Health 23:3-7).

The Bible teaches that we live in a present evil age. Do you believe this?

What evidences are there in your life and in the world that the age we live in is fallen, crooked and perverse (cf. Philippians 2:15)?

Why did Jesus die on the cross? Why is the cross the only way by which we might have a right relationship with God?

Where do we find present comfort in this present evil age?