In this weeks Pastors Message, I wanted to provide a scriptural breakdown of our fundamental belief on, the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Especially now as we approach the Passover, I encourage you to take the time to carefully review all the scriptures listed to support each part of this fundamental statement of belief and the subsequent summary.
(1) We believe God so loved the world (2) of helpless sinners (3) that He gave His only begotten Son, (4) who, though in all points tempted as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh. (5) That Son, Jesus Christ, died as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. (6) His life, because He is the creator of all humanity, is of greater value than the sum total of all human life. His death is, therefore, sufficient to pay the penalty for every human being’s sins. (7) In paying this penalty He has made it possible, according to God’s plan, for each person and for humanity as a whole to have their sins forgiven (8) and to be released from the death penalty.
Scriptural Breakdown of this statement of Belief:
1. We believe God so loved the world…
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Consider also: John 14:20-23 and 1 John 4:8, 16, 19
2. …of helpless sinners…
Ephesians 2:12 “that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Consider also: 1 Timothy 1:1 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13
John 5:19 “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner”. We are all hopeless without God’s guidance. We should follow Jesus’ humble example. Consider also: Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 2:25; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:6
3. …that He gave His only begotten Son,…
1 John 4:9 “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” Consider also: John 1:14
4. …who, though in all points tempted as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh.
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”. Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Consider also: Hebrews 7:26; Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1-2; Philippians 2:5; Luke 22:28, 44; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 5:30; 1 Peter 2:22; John 14:10
5. That Son, Jesus Christ, died as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” consider also: Romans 5:17-19; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 10:17
6. His life, because He is the creator of all humanity, is of greater value than the sum total of all human life. His death is, therefore, sufficient to pay the penalty for every human being’s sins.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Consider also: Romans 5:1; 1 John 3:5; Romans 5:18; John 8:58
7. In paying this penalty He has made it possible, according to God’s plan, for each person and for humanity as a whole to have their sins forgiven…
1 Peter 1:19-20 “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”. Consider also: Acts 2:23; Revelation 13:8; Matthew 25:34
8. …and to be released from the death penalty.
1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” Romans 8:1” There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Consider also: Romans 6:7, 18; John 8:36; Isaiah 61:1; Galatians 5:13
In summary: Jesus Christ is the focal point of Christianity. Forgiveness of sin and ultimately the gift of eternal life are available only through His sacrifice. We are reconciled by His death but saved by His life (Romans 5:10). The Scriptures describe Jesus Christ by using several titles, including: the Word (John 1:1), our Savior (1 John 4:14), our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11), our Lord (Revelation 22:21), the Son of God (Revelation 2:18; 1 John 5:5), our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), the Son of Man (Revelation 14:14), and King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).
Christ is our Savior and the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Even though He was divine, Jesus became a human being to die for the sins of mankind (Philippians 2:5-7). He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death (Hebrews 2:9). As the Son of Man, He was able to experience the trials of human life (Hebrews 4:15) to better empathize with us as our merciful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17). Christ as our Savior gave His life that we might live. He died a hideous death, as our Passover, that we might understand the magnitude of sin and the monumental significance of His sacrifice, which was made for every human being.
Jesus lived a perfect life and therefore did not deserve the death penalty. However, He was preordained from the foundation of the world to die (Revelation 13:8). Even though Christ, as the perfect sacrifice for sin, was accused of violating God’s law on more than one occasion, He never broke God’s law. We accept His sacrifice as essential to our salvation. As we model our lives after Jesus Christ, we “take up our cross” and follow Him (Luke 14:27), which includes a willingness to suffer and be persecuted as He set the example (1 Peter 2:19-23). We thank God the Father for giving up His Son Jesus Christ to be that perfect sacrifice for all mankind (John 3:16).
All sin is forgiven upon repentance and the acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice. Forgiveness of sin requires the supreme sacrifice—the death of Jesus Christ. His crucifixion more than 1,900 years ago was essential to God’s plan of redemption and salvation.
By understanding this fundamental belief, we can be assured that our sins are blotted out. We can go forward in our Christian lives with confidence, knowing that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we can be reconciled to the Father. As a result of this reconciliation, we can develop a relationship with our Father that provides hope and assurance for our future. We can look forward to eternal life in the Kingdom of God as a gift of God’s grace because of the sacrifice that Christ willingly gave for every one of us.