The Gospel is the good news of God’s sovereign saving work in our lives
Over the last few weeks we have learnt about
Man’s (Mankind) need of salvation – good news
God’s sovereignty in our salvation – God is sovereign
Today we begin to learn about how God saves us – His saving work
1 Timothy 1: 15 ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners’
God saves us through Jesus Christ ‘sacrificial’ death on the cross for us
Romans 3: 20-25a
20, 23 God’s Word says that as Sinners we are separated from God by our Sin, and as Sinners, we are unable (Ephesians 2: 1) and unwilling (Romans 8: 7) to be ‘made right with God’ – we cannot save ourselves!
21 God has provided the way (John 14: 6) for us to be ‘made right with God’
22 We are ‘made right with God’ by placing our faith in Jesus alone (Acts 4: 12), because there is no other way to be saved
24 On the cross, Jesus took the penalty for our Sin, and through His death we are set free from Sin (Romans 5: 10)
25a We are ‘made right with God’ when we believe in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross (Romans 3: 26b)
The theme of this passage, repeated x3, is: Through Jesus ‘sacrificial’ death on the cross, we are ‘made right with God’
Jesus Himself explains how He we are ‘made right with God’
Matthew 20:28 ‘…the Son of Man came…to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Illustrate: ISIL kidnap victims then demand a ransom for their freedom
The ransom price is usually $millions of U.S.D
The kidnap victim pleads for the ransom to be paid
If the ransom is paid, the victim is set free
If the ransom is not paid the victim’s head is forever separated from his body
Explanation: Sin has kidnapped us and sentenced us to eternal separation from God
The only way to be set free is someone pay the ransom
The problem is, there is not enough money in the World to pay the ransom for our Sin
We plead for our salvation
Romans 7: 24 ‘Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death’?
Only Jesus can set us free!
Jesus has paid the ransom with His precious blood
1 Corinthians 6: 20a ‘Christ has paid the price for you’
Jesus not only paid the price for our freedom from Sin but also purchased us – We now belong to Him!
Romans 8: 1-2
Because we belong to Him we have the responsibility to honor Him with our lives and stay away from Sin
1 Corinthians 7: 23 ‘God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world’
The ransom for your Sin has been fully paid and now you are fully free!
Isaiah 53: 5-6, 8
This is how God saves us!
‘Maker Of The Universe’
The Maker Of The Universe…as Man, for man was made a curse. The claims of Law which He had made, unto the uttermost He paid.
His holy fingers made the bough, which grew the thorns that crowned His brow; The nails that pierced His hand were mined, in secret places He designed.
He made the forest from whence there sprung the tree on which His body hung; He died upon a cross of wood, yet made the hill on which it stood.
The sun that hid from Him its face, by His decree was poised in space. The sky that darkened o’er His head, by Him above the earth was spread.
The spear which spilled His precious blood was tempered in the fires of God. The grave in which His form was laid was hewn in rocks His hands had made.
The throne on which He now appears was His from everlasting years; But a new glory crowns His brow, and every knee to Him shall bow: The Maker Of The Universe. – F.W Pitt
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