1271. The Death of Christ Changes Everything

Welcome to The Daily Platform sponsored by Bob Jones University today Dr. Steve Hankins of the BJ use seminary faculty continues our doctrinal series entitled our great salvation of the natural world is full of examples of life arising out of death, but vegetation that dies in the ground to nurse the soil proceeds that are buried and rise to life and provide food for animals dying to provide nourishment for human beings sometimes. In fact, whenever mothers are in childbirth. They enter into really the valley of the shadow of death, and sometimes even death itself to bring a new child into the world for there to be life. These are all metaphors really for the central truth of the faith. The central truth and singular miracle of Christianity, the death of Christ, affirmed by the resurrection.

Paul said in Galatians chapter 4 verse four and five that in the fullness of time, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of some sons.

He summed up this greatest of good news in first Corinthians 15 versus three and four when he wrote for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again. According to the Scriptures and the resurrection was the completion and affirmation of all the death accomplished that it was the death of God the son, establishing his deity, and the infinite of faxes Romans 14 says he was declared to be the son of God by the resurrection from the dead, and that resurrection was an affirmation and acceptance of Christ death, work as Romans 425 teachers who was delivered for our offenses and was raised for our justification.

The death of Christ was made powerful, eternally powerful by the resurrection without the resurrection. The death is powerless but not surprisingly, this all-powerful death of Christ is an amazingly dominant emphasis in the New Testament, there are nine different terms that describe it in the language of the New Testament it's mentioned directly in 255 verses that significant since there's 260 chapters in the New Testament the Gospels are normal biographies they are dominated by the events surrounding leading up to culminating in and immediately after the death of Christ. 25% of Matthew's gospel.

31% of Mark 21% of Luke, 38% of John the Lord Jesus predicted his own death 18 times in the gospel records. No wonder Dean Martin Lloyd Jones, a well-known preacher, author of the mid-20th century said this, the preaching of the cross, the preaching of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on that cross is the very heart and center of the Christian gospel and the Christian message dying once for the sins of the world. He changed everything for us forever. How does that change everything for us forever. I wanted to take New Testament turn. Romans chapter 5 verses six through 11.

It's a paragraph were going to look to the window of this paragraph into the incredible Vista of what was achieved by the Lord Jesus Christ in his death for us is atonement's propitiation Romans five verse six through 11. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet. Peradventure for a good man. Some would even dare to die.

But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, much more than being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him forth when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life and not only so that we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. How is it that his death, dying wants changes everything for us forever.

I think there are two major ways. There's this change that are demonstrated in this passage that are developed powerfully. The first is that the nature of our life and ministry is changed forever by the nature of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. This comes through in verses 6 to 8 in the passage that we just read his death was exactly the opposite of self interest hours should be the same hours is to be as his death was a life for the spiritually desperate and undeserving is real life that obeys is Luke 923 says if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, because as the Scriptures teach in verse six in this paragraph. They are, yet without strength the world. The sinners there without power without ability. They are dead in trespasses and sins is Ephesians 21 teaches as we were so they are they are on godly were taught in verse six. That's the description given to them as we are.

They are irreparably marred though in the image of God. There disposition their emotions, their thinking, their actions all modern men and women every face you see every life you meet should be a reminder to you of the reality. The tragedy that there is a creation of God that is tragically marred by the reality of sin and why do we have this life that is to be pursuing desperately spiritually desperate people that are undeserving because they are lawbreakers. Look at verse eight. It says that they are centered.

Just as we were. They are missing the mark. They can hit the mark there breaking the boundaries of the laws of God is first John chapter 3 verse four defines exactly what sin is. It is a transgression of the law stepping out of bounds.

They are out of bounds every person you see who doesn't know Jesus. They are out of bounds. They are in danger. There they are at the point of facing eternal judgment. And it's all of them, not just some of them repeatedly emphasized this in Psalm 14 three alluded to in Romans 310. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy. There is none to do with good no not one.

You know the statement of Romans 323 all ascend and come short of the glory of God.

That has to be the understatement of the universe, almost in some ways short of the glory of God. Yes, completely utterly. Isaiah 53 six says all we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He died for the sins of the whole world, past, present, future. So your life my life is to be a life advancing this message to the whole world, the nature of his death settles that the extent of his death settles the extent of what our ministry is to be he died. The Scriptures say in this passage more than one time for us for the ungodly.

See that in verse six he died. It says for us in verse eight, he died in our place in their place for our benefit. I think both are implied there. It's as Paul said in first Timothy chapter 3 or two verses three through six for this is a this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved.

Christ gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time, and John later wrote in complete agreement with this.

In first John chapter 4 verse 14, we have seen and testify that the father has sent the son to be the Savior of the world and hear these words from Paul in first Timothy 410 fortis for this we labor and strive because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially for believers setting the terms by which the saving death of Christ is applicable to part a person saving faith that means in every culture, every person of every station in life. Every gender in every circumstance and every condition of degeneracy Christ died for them and that since the extent this universal reality of what our ministry should be, and it should be a ministry. According to this passage that is a life driven by an unseen force for these desperate worldwide. People life based on a counterintuitive force from God.

You may know the name Richard Phillips. He was the captain of the Maersk Alabama a large cargo ship sailing on the East Coast of Africa was commandeered by pirates from Somali and these pirates were threatening their lives. They wanted to take the whole ship for ransom for $30 million in Phillips was very concerned about his proof. He gave himself over as a hostage to protect his crewmen putting his life at great risk. He was rescued by three Navy SEALs who were brought in, who simultaneously fired one shot three men each, a shot and killed the Pirates entry Phillips.

He didn't die he was willing for his crew.

Not so with many men on Iwo Jima, you know, the iconic photograph of the Marines were raising that flag. I recently read a book, killing the rising Sun about the last months of the second world war and defeating Japan and the conquering of the islands and Iwo Jima was one of them in the fighting was in the heroism was startling.

One sergeant in particular who repeatedly risked his life to protect his men and at one point. Finally, the Japanese threw a grenade and there it was in the middle of his men and this really did happen. This was not a movie he jumped on the grenade fell on the grenade.

It blew up and he died read seven and eight with me for scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet.

Peradventure for a good man someone even dare to die.

But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. If someone might die for a person that they think is really a good a righteous person who does the right things and is fair and just. Others are even more compelled to to perhaps Diane sacrificed himself, their family, their loved ones because they view them as good as compassionate as kind and an object of their love and so they'll but think for a minute. Would Phillips or that Marine had been willing to die for the Somali pirates or the Japanese throwing the grenades. But God commended his love toward us, and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and so is first John 419 tells us we love him because he first loved us. We love him because as Romans 55 says the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us and what is the result of that men and women is verse five right in this passage says is the spirit is shed abroad in our hearts. The result of that is that we are ambassadors to carry the message to those worldwide who are desperate to hear the gospel because they are sinners.

They are ungodly they are helpless as second Corinthians 514 and 15 says for the love of Christ controls us have included this. That one died for all, therefore all died and he died for all, so that they live might no longer live for themselves but for him who died and rose again on their behalf. The nature of our life purpose and ministry is changed forever by the nature of the death of Christ because it is for spiritually desperate people because they are worldwide because the love of God to the spirit of God is in us and compels us to this totally counterintuitive sacrifice of ourselves for the reaching of other people.

Look at verse nine.

Much more than much more than the now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through him the nature and here's the second great truth in this passage other than the change in our ministry and life purpose is the nature of our position in life is changed forever by the nature of Christ's death. We were saved by his blood, look at that phrase justified by his blood, the implications of that are powerful. In fact, they should be overwhelmingly compelling. They should stimulate in each of us. Gratitude worship and obedience.

Why, why was first Peter 118 and 19 says, knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold, from your feudal way of life which you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ. Should this value placed on you, overwhelm you, motivate you, let's go to the throne room of heaven found in Revelation chapter 5 and listen to what the multitudes are singing as Christ stepped forward and takes the seven sealed scroll ready to begin the just judgment of those who reject his redemptive work. Listen to what their singing worthy are you to take the book and to break the seals, for you were slain and purchased for God with your blood from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. That's what they're compelled to do in heaven.

By this incredible achievement or accomplishment.

Our position, our position is changed forever.

We are valued and delivered and were delivered from slavery and send to freedom as a child of God by his blood. That's right there in that phrase we are purchased by his blood. This is the language of the first century slave market, combined with the language of sacrifice Christ. Paul said in first Corinthian's 57 was our Passover and has been sacrificed. Hebrews 9 says that Jesus is our high priest who took his own blood into the heavenly tabernacle and offered at once for all. For eternal redemption.

There is a payment here.

There's a deliverance or ransom here that's happening from slavery.

We have been rescued from slavery to sin to freedom as a child of God, our position is normally changed from that but it's change from guilt to the piece of righteousness being now justified by his blood, the passage says we've gone from the slave market.

Now we've gone into the courtroom.

You being guilty is a bad place to be feeling guilty, is a really bad way to feel. Imagine you're on death row.

Your guilty all the appeals of Minute Maid, the government, the governor will not commute her sentence. The data set and then there's a presidential pardon. Not only that but going beyond what could happen like that, you're given a new identity, you're given a new place to live, you're given a new job. You're given opportunity for the future, you are declared righteous in the righteousness of Jesus Christ is put to your account impunity you as with justified means which positions changed. Another way not only from slavery to freedom, not only from guilt of the piece of righteousness, but from the wrath of God to a permanent hope of friendship like Abraham we are made friends of God by faith.

Look at verse nine.

Again, where it says we shall be saved from wrath through him, we shall be say what does that mean we will not experience the wrath of God in this life, as some are experiencing Romans 118, which says that God is pouring out his wrath on those now. Currently, who are suppressing the truth we will not face wrath if the judgment standing before God in the future. We have been delivered from that wife because he is our propitiation.

He is our wrath bearer. He appeases the just wrath of God. The cross men and women is where love and justice meet the crosses where the infinite eternal father pours out his infinite eternal justice on the infinite, eternal son of God expressing his infinite eternal love for us and that really helps understand just how bad sin is doesn't Jesus Christ the righteous. First John two says is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for those of the whole world into chapters later in chapter 4 verse 10 the Scripture say in this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sin. We have hope for the condemned that they can have a friendship with God. Look at verse 10 for if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son that happened to us. It can happen to others.

Here's the way it is. God is facing this way turned away from mankind. Mankind is turned away from God. And then there's the cross and the cross reconciles God and he faces toward man and the message of the gospel.

The process preached, and man wristbands but respond by repentance and faith and there is friendship with God established as opposed to being an enemy of God. Why is that why does Colossians 120 say in the words of Paul that through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Through him I say whether things on earth, or things in the heavens, reconcile all things to himself by the death and the shedding of his blood on the cross that happen are all people reconciled to God, though not was it me, it means that the cross delays that it delays judgment and expresses the incredible, long-suffering, and loving kindness of God who is slow to anger and weights.

He waits that matter will is a matter for your mom was lost your dad who's lost your brother or your sister who's lost because of the cross, God waits and God draws and God works by his spirit.

God is reconciled. He waits for man because of the cross and we have hope. Men and women for our future.

Do you see that here in the passage verse 10. The Bible says much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

We are reconciled, we are friends of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He has ascended to the right hand of God the father. He is our high priest. He intercedes for us.

How's your day going today. Is it bad to the death. Did you really lose at last I get mad at your roommate sin you feel miserable. Let me tell you, Christ is still at the right hand, he is your advocate as your intercessor in high priest pain never stops. He never turns he never fails. We can live because of his life because we are friends of God, and it even gets better. Verse 11 anomaly so we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ with whom we have now received the atonement we joy in God. We boast rejoicing in the fact that we have a friendship with God. This is the great substitutionary payment that gives us the great focus. Men and women. The great center. The great stability the great abiding joy in life. Life is variable. Health changes finances change. Circumstances change. Good that this never changes. We joy in God through the Lord Jesus Christ because of what he did on the cross. I want you to think about the comprehensiveness of this passage about this greatest truth. Jesus died and rose again. He is our atonement, our propitiation his dying once change the nature of our life of life purpose for ever. We have the message for the whole world for the biggest problem of the world his dying once change our position in life forever from slavery to freedom for sin not to sin. From guilt to peace and righteousness from wrath to permanent friendship with God. It's all changed when I think of him and his cross. It's all I can do to control my emotions. I heard this message for so long before I responded. But because the cross he waited, I rebelled, but by the cross he loved me. I sin over and over again because of the cross. He was turned toward me. Still in one night. I believed in the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ transformed me because of the cross, dying once he changed everything forever for me. He changed everything forever for us. Let's pray. Bowing their heads together. Police the words of the hymn writer, we pray the Lord on that hill far away where your old rugged Cross stood the emblem of suffering and shame. We love that old cross Lord where you the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So Lord Jesus keep us near the cross. Keep us in the cross, glory forever. We print by name. Amen. I'm Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Thank you for listening to The Daily Platform. If you're looking for a regionally accredited Christian liberal arts university. I invite you to visit our campus and see how God is working in the lives of our students. For more information about Bob Jones University, visit www.btu.edu or call 800-252-6363