Essentials, Christ’s work (audio file for download)

The work of Christ

We have been looking at the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. We have looked at the authority of scripture, and the mystery of the trinity, we looked at the person of Jesus, and we looked at who we are as people. Last week we looked at how we as humans are made in the image and likeness of God, yet we are fallen because of the sin nature that we inherited from Adam and Eve through our parents.

As you think about what you believe about Jesus and the Bible it is utterly important for you to get the fact that you are fallen. Because all around us people are trying to tell us that we are not broken. We here it all the time, be true to yourself, follow your heart. That stuff sounds kinda sweet, but the problem with that is verses like Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

If you are following a sick and deceitful heart, where is it going to take you? Furthermore, we have in most bookstore the largest section is the self help section. You know why it is so big, because people have naught the lie that they can fix themselves. It is just not true. So, why is it important for us to understand how depraved we are? Well, so that today’s message makes sense.

This morning we are looking at what Jesus did for us. What was his mission here on earth?

There are lots of people who have ideas of what Jesus cam to do, and many of them are wrong…

 

Since we are basing this study in our affirmation, lets read it together

READ

PRAY

Some things he said he wanted for us.

-Holy and blameless before Him

-to adopt us as sons

-redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins

-a uniting of all things in Christ

 

How is it that Christ accomplished all of this?

 

His Life- sinless, holy,

 

His Death- painful, bloody, what we deserved

 

His Resurrection- sealing His victory over death and the grave.

 

All of it in our place.

 

He is the only Savior for the sins of the world, having shed His blood and died a vicarious death on Calvary’s cross. By His death in our place, He revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, on the third day, He rose

bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers

of darkness and, for a period of 40 days, appeared to over

500 witnesses, performing many convincing proofs of His resurrection. He ascended into heaven where, at God’s right hand, He intercedes for His people and rules as Lord over all, awaiting His return. He is the Head of His body and the Church and should be adored, loved, served and obeyed by all.