R sbc
July 15th 2007
Sunday Morning
Series: “Christ the Sum & Substance of The Bible
Subject: “ LAID DOWN HIS LIFE”
Text: I John 3-16
Intro: This message this morning is not about the love of God for we had that last week but one statement about it, the understanding of GOD’S love in demonstrated in the subject before us, CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE.
When we think of this it is beyond our comprehension, it is beyond the world of religions to understand this about our great leader the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Often we take it to lightly in our day, we should often contemplate of the fact of his laying down his life, not for himself but for us.
Jesus said: John 10- 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Again he said: Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Then illustrating it Jesus said: Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. What a glorious truth that is set forth in the word of GOD for us his people not only is of how we are saved, but it is a message of great hope for sinners.
Another great verse is clear: Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
I.. UNSELFISHNESS OF IT:
In all the above verses that I have read it is clear in all of them that Christ was unselfish. To leave the splendor of heaven, to disassociate himself from the holy world of his Father and come to this sin cursed world is a reflection of his unselfish character.
Often I hear in my head the cry of Jesus from the garden because I have read it so much, and spoke of it often, NOT MY WILL BE DONE. This indicated completer and unconditional surrender of his life to the will of GOD.
When he was on the cross
1. It is seen in his words on the cross: Lu 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
2. It is seen in the action he performs on the cross: Matt 27-34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
3. It is seen in mercy extended on the cross: Luke 23-40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
II.. UNAVOIDABLENESS OF IT:
1. Christ knew of it:
Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Joh 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
2. The apostles declared it:
Ac 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
3. Why was it unavoidable?
A. Because Christ was a lamb slain: Re 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
B. Because it was the purpose of GOD the Father: Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
III.. THE VALUABLENESS OF IT:
This is been debated for centuries, what is the value of Christ laying down his life, and then taking it up again? Believe he did both. He gave it freely and he raised up himself up.
If I may use a word to describe it, it would be MUCH IN EVERY WAY. There is so much and we all have heard it, but it is an inexhaustible word . May I stir our hearts with some of the benefits we already know...
1. The benefit to the Father:
He is satisfied: Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
God the Father was completely and thoroughly satisfied with the death and resurrection of Christ from the dead. I Jn 2- 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2. The benefit to the sinner:
Jesus said: Lu 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. All humans without exception lost a lot in the fall. We lost our standing, our will to our depraved heart, we lost the will to be saved, we lost the righteousness that we had. We lost it all. Undone, unable, unqualified, unwanting,
unwilling, spiritual death..
Paul said: 1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
3. The benefit to those whom the Lord saves:
a. Complete and unquestionable forgiveness: Eph 1-7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
b. Complete and a unfruitful attempt to tarnish it: Ro 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
c. Complete and it is never underpaid: Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
He left nothing unsettled, he left nothing tarnish, he left nothing to be done at a later time.. Jesus paid it all, all the sin I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow..
When the Father looks at the SON, he never ask questions, he never says there is
a stain... no Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
d. Complete unrelinquishing his saints:
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Jesus said: Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
The word relinquish means to renounce it, to set it aside, to forget it. We have this great assurance that Christ will never leave us...nor forsake us.
Conclusion: What is your life this morning? It is even as a vapor that appeareth for a little while and it vanishes away. What shall a man give in exchange for his soul. Will you loose it today or will you fall upon Christ for mercy... he laid down his life that he might take it up again... Come now to Christ come right where you are, come right now without a plea jsut as your are.