Section Four: The Work of Christ
Section Four: Survey
The Work Of Jesus Christ
In the right hand margin write "true" or "false" each of the following statements.
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1. |
Jesus Christ was only a good example for us to pattern our lives after. |
F |
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2. |
Men can reach God without having to come to Jesus Christ. |
F |
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3. |
Jesus Christ's death took place in history and has no effect for us today. |
F |
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4. |
God offers the gift of eternal life to all men. |
T |
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5. |
God is just, therefore He must punish men for their sins. |
T |
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6. |
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, God saw His death as the payment for the sins of all men. |
T |
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7. |
Faith is simply believing intellectually that Jesus Christ is God. |
F |
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8. |
One need not repent of his sins to make a commitment of his life to Jesus Christ. |
F |
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9. |
In order to keep our salvation, it is necessary to continually do good. |
F |
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10. |
God loves all men and wishes they all could be saved. |
T |
Section Four: "The Work Of Christ"
Key/Memory Verse: Romans 5:8
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Introduction
Last week we answered the question, "Who is Jesus Christ?" We found that Jesus was both God and man. Jesus by His words and deeds claimed to be God, yet at the same time He was truly a manfully human.
This week we want to study and discuss "The Work of Jesus Christ" and answer the questions, "Why did Jesus come into the world?" and "What should my response to Christ be?
This is the core of Christianity, the good news of the Gospel that Jesus Christ gave His life for us that we might live. Christ died that you might be set free from the prisons of sin, death, self and fear.
I. Why Christ Came Into The World
A. Look up the following verses and state why Jesus came into the world.
1 Timothy 1:15
Luke 19:10
1 Corinthians 15:3B
Jesus Christ came into the world to solve man's fundamental problem. The problem of sin.
All men are sinners, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin is an unpopular subject, but we cannot close our eyes to an obvious fact which the Bible declares and experience confirms. The darkness of selfishness, and captivity of sin overshadows our whole life.
B. Unlike man, God is absolutely pure and spotless, for as it says in 1 John 1:5, "And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." What results of man's sinfulness are listed in Isaiah 59:2? As light and darkness can never live together, neither can God and sin. He "dwells in unapproachable light" (1 Timothy 6:16). Just as darkness is dispelled by light, so the sinner is inevitably banished from God's holy presence and he cannot be in a relationship of fellowship with God until his sin has been cleansed away. Thus man's problem as illustrated below is, "How can I who am a banished sinner be reconciled to a holy God? How can my sins be forgiven so that I can have fellowship with God?"
C. In 1 Peter 3:18, how did Peter explain what God has done to bring men to Himself, to bridge the gap sin creates separating God and man?
According to John 14:6, is there any other way to bridge the gap?
God solved man's fundamental problem by sending His Son Jesus Christ.
D. Look up the following verses and record what motivated God to meet our deepest need.
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 2:4, 5
1 John 4:10
Jesus Christ died on our behalf. He "came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15) by dying on the cross.
II. Christ's Death
A. Jesus Died As Our Substitute
The picture is from Old Testament sacrifices. Just as animals put to death were thought of as substitutes for people, so Jesus died for human sinfulness instead of us. If we trust in Jesus we do not have to bear the ultimate e penalty for sin - death or separation from God.
"The himself bore our sins in his body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:24
B. Jesus Died As Our Representative
Jesus identified Himself with sinful humanity. He became one with us. God sent Jesus to represent us. Without faith in Jesus we are "in Adam", part of sinful humanity - fit only to die. But "in Christ", represented by Him, we can know a completely new kind of life.
"God made him (Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
C. Jesus Died As Our Redeemer
The picture was as familiar to people in the market-place (and slave-market) in the ancient world as supermarket coupons and trading stamps today. Jesus has paid the price so that we can go free. The price of sin is death. Jesus has bought us back.
"He (Jesus) entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12)
In order to give final decisive proof that Christ's death was an acceptable and effective sacrifice for the removal of sin, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him (Ephesians 1:20, 21; Philippians 2:8-11).
Man's sin is the fundamental problem Christ's death is the answer. The message or "good news" of the Gospel is that God has provided a way for man to leave the shadows and confines of sin and enter into the light and fulfillment of a righteous relationship with God. This way is through the death of Jesus Christ.
III. My Response To Christ's Work:
A. Some people wrongly suppose that through Christ's death on the cross, forgiveness of sins is automatically conferred upon all men.
God's solution to the fundamental problem of sin is, however, not mechanical and impersonal He does not impose salvation on those who do not want it. He still respects His own gift of free will to mankind. He offers me salvation. He does not oblige me to accept it.
We cannot achieve it by our own efforts, but we must receive it from God if we are to possess it. How?
If I am to benefit from Christ's death I must take three simple steps, the first two are preliminary and the third so final that to take it will make me a Christian. Consider these steps carefully, asking yourself, "Have I responded to Christ in this way?"
The 3 steps and explanations are taken from a Booklet entitled "Becoming A Christian by John R.W. Stott, IVP).
1. I must acknowledge myself to be in God's sight a helpless sinner.
In Romans 3:22 this unequivocal statement is made: "there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." All men are sinners indiscriminately. That is to say, there may be some distinction between men in the degree to which they have sinned; there is no difference in the fact. This statement includes me. In thought, word and deed I have continually &obeyed oaf's commandments and fallen short of what I should have been. Consequently I have been banished from His presence as Isaiah 59:1, 2 makes clear. "Y our iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sin have hid His {face from you." Moreover, I am helpless to remedy the situation. No amount of good deeds on my part can win God's favor. I am a hopeless, helpless sinner. I need: a Savior to bring me back to God.
2. I must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to be the very Savior I have just admitted I need.
"The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). He bore my sins in His own body. He was made sin for: me. More than that, He voluntarily endured the penalty which those sins of mine deserved He was wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities Clearest of all verses is I Peter 3:18, which says that, in order to bring me back to God, Christ, the innocent One, suffered for the sins which I, the guilty one, had committed.
3. I must come to Christ and claim my: personal share in what He did for everybody.
He died to be the Savior of the world; I must ask Him to be my Savior. He bore the sins of all men; I must ask him to take my sins away. He suffered to bring everybody back to God. I must ask Him to bring me. Exactly what I must do is explained by Christ in Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." The house is a picture of my life. Christ stands outside the front door. He will not put His shoulder to it. He does not use a battering ram. He waits patiently until I open the door. Then He will come in, and on entering He will have become to me the Savior I have acknowledged I need, and I shall find myself reconciled to God, enjoying that fellowship with Him for which I was created
B. According to Romans 10:9-11, 13
(-v. 9) What is the result of confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and accepting His death and resurrection as payment for your sins?
(v. 10) What's the result of confessing and believing in Jesus Christ as Savior?
(v. 11) Will putting your- faith in Christ lead to disappointment?
At some point in your life have you responded to and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior by taking these three steps given earlier? Yes___ No___
Application
A. If you have accepted Christ before, turn to John 14:27-29 and record what Jesus promised His followers.
B. If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, would you Luke to get together and talk more about Jesus Christ and His claims to be God and Savior?
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