Faith's Role in Salvation: Understanding Jesus' Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound truth that man has always been saved by faith, not by works. This understanding is crucial as it shapes our comprehension of why Jesus had to come. We began by addressing a common misconception: that people before Christ were saved by works, while those after Christ are saved by faith. This is not true. From the beginning, salvation has always been through faith. This raises an important question: if man has always been saved by faith, why was Jesus' coming necessary?
To answer this, we explored the purpose of the Mosaic Law, which includes 613 laws covering various aspects of life. The law was never intended to save anyone but to act as a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and our need for a savior. The sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement, highlighted the insufficiency of these sacrifices to provide ultimate redemption. The law made us conscious of our sin but could not make us righteous.
We then transitioned to the significance of Jesus' roles as the Lamb, the High Priest, and the King. Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb, fulfilling the symbolism of the Passover lamb whose blood protected the Israelites from the angel of death. John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This sacrificial act was necessary for our redemption, as it provided the perfect and final atonement for sin.
Next, we examined Jesus as the High Priest. The Levitical priesthood, established under the Mosaic Law, was imperfect and temporary. Jesus, however, is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that is eternal and not based on genealogy. This is crucial because it means Jesus' priesthood is perfect and everlasting. He intercedes for us in the true Holy of Holies in heaven, offering His own blood as the ultimate sacrifice.
We also discussed Jesus as the King. His resurrection and ascension signify His victory over death and His exaltation as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In Revelation, Jesus is depicted as the rider on the white horse, leading the armies of heaven, and as the judge who will come to judge the living and the dead. His kingship assures us of His ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Finally, we touched on the concept of faith. Hebrews 11 defines faith as the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness because he believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. This kind of faith is what justifies us before God. It involves trusting in God's promises and living in the assurance of His word.
### Key Takeaways
1. Salvation by Faith: From the beginning, man has always been saved by faith, not by works. This truth is foundational to understanding the necessity of Jesus' coming. The Mosaic Law was never meant to save but to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a savior. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith. [02:10]
2. The Insufficiency of the Law: The Mosaic Law, with its 613 commandments, served as a mirror to show our shortcomings. The sacrificial system, including the Day of Atonement, highlighted the need for a perfect sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled this need by offering Himself as the ultimate atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete. [09:14]
3. Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb: Jesus' role as the Lamb of God is central to our redemption. His sacrificial death fulfilled the symbolism of the Passover lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites. This act of ultimate sacrifice provided the perfect atonement for sin, making eternal life possible for all who believe. [13:19]
4. Jesus as the High Priest: Unlike the Levitical priesthood, Jesus' priesthood is eternal and perfect. He is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not based on genealogy but on the power of an indestructible life. His intercession in the true Holy of Holies in heaven assures us of our continual access to God's grace and mercy. [19:02]
5. Jesus as King and Judge: Jesus' resurrection and ascension signify His victory over death and His exaltation as King of Kings. He is depicted in Revelation as the rider on the white horse and the judge of all. His kingship and judgment assure us of His ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's promises, giving us hope and confidence in His return. [25:32]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Salvation by Faith
[09:14] - The Insufficiency of the Law
[13:19] - Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb
[19:02] - Jesus as the High Priest
[25:32] - Jesus as King and Judge
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 3:20 - "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."
2. Hebrews 7:11 - "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?"
3. Revelation 5:12 - "In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 3:20, what is the purpose of the law? How does it relate to our understanding of sin? [09:14]
2. What does Hebrews 7:11 suggest about the Levitical priesthood and the need for a different kind of priesthood? [19:02]
3. In Revelation 5:12, what attributes are ascribed to the Lamb who was slain? How does this passage depict Jesus' role and significance? [13:19]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the law makes us conscious of our sin but cannot make us righteous? How does this understanding shape our view of salvation? [09:14]
2. How does Jesus' priesthood in the order of Melchizedek differ from the Levitical priesthood, and why is this important for our faith? [19:02]
3. What does the depiction of Jesus as the Lamb in Revelation 5:12 tell us about the nature of His sacrifice and its impact on our salvation? [13:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to earn God's favor through your actions. How does understanding that salvation is by faith, not works, change your approach to your relationship with God? [02:10]
2. The sermon mentioned that the law acts as a mirror to reveal our sinfulness. How can you use this understanding to address areas in your life where you fall short? [09:14]
3. Jesus' role as the High Priest means He intercedes for us continually. How can this assurance of Jesus' intercession impact your prayer life and your confidence in approaching God? [19:02]
4. Considering Jesus' kingship and His ultimate authority, how can you live in a way that acknowledges His lordship in your daily decisions and actions? [25:32]
5. Hebrews 11 defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Identify a promise of God that you find difficult to believe fully. How can you grow in your faith to trust this promise more deeply? [31:29]
6. The sermon highlighted the insufficiency of the old sacrificial system and the perfection of Jesus' sacrifice. How does this understanding affect your view of forgiveness and grace? [09:14]
7. Jesus is depicted as the judge who will come to judge the living and the dead. How does this future reality influence the way you live your life now, especially in terms of accountability and righteousness? [25:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Salvation by Faith
Salvation has always been through faith, not works. This foundational truth helps us understand the necessity of Jesus' coming. The Mosaic Law, with its 613 commandments, was never intended to save anyone but to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a savior. The law acted as a mirror, showing us our shortcomings and making us conscious of our sin. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith, from the beginning of time to the present day.
The misconception that people before Christ were saved by works while those after Christ are saved by faith is addressed by recognizing that salvation has always been through faith. This truth is crucial as it shapes our comprehension of why Jesus had to come. The law made us aware of our sin but could not make us righteous. It highlighted the need for a perfect sacrifice, which Jesus fulfilled by offering Himself as the ultimate atonement for sin. [02:10]
Romans 3:20-22 (ESV): "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."
Reflection: How does understanding that salvation has always been through faith change your perspective on the Old Testament and the role of the law in your life today?
Day 2: The Insufficiency of the Law
The Mosaic Law, with its 613 commandments, served as a mirror to show our shortcomings. The sacrificial system, including the Day of Atonement, highlighted the need for a perfect sacrifice. The law was never meant to save but to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a savior. The sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement, underscored the insufficiency of these sacrifices to provide ultimate redemption.
Jesus fulfilled this need by offering Himself as the ultimate atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete. His sacrificial death provided the perfect and final atonement for sin, making eternal life possible for all who believe. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith and the necessity of Jesus' coming. [09:14]
Hebrews 10:1-4 (ESV): "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."
Reflection: In what ways do you sometimes rely on your own efforts or "sacrifices" to earn God's favor? How can you shift your focus to trust in Jesus' perfect sacrifice instead?
Day 3: Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb
Jesus' role as the Lamb of God is central to our redemption. His sacrificial death fulfilled the symbolism of the Passover lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from the angel of death. John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This act of ultimate sacrifice provided the perfect atonement for sin, making eternal life possible for all who believe.
Jesus' sacrificial death was necessary for our redemption. It provided the perfect and final atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith and the necessity of Jesus' coming. [13:19]
1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb impact your understanding of His love and sacrifice for you? How can you live in response to this incredible gift?
Day 4: Jesus as the High Priest
Unlike the Levitical priesthood, Jesus' priesthood is eternal and perfect. He is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not based on genealogy but on the power of an indestructible life. The Levitical priesthood, established under the Mosaic Law, was imperfect and temporary. Jesus, however, is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that is eternal and not based on genealogy.
This is crucial because it means Jesus' priesthood is perfect and everlasting. He intercedes for us in the true Holy of Holies in heaven, offering His own blood as the ultimate sacrifice. His intercession assures us of our continual access to God's grace and mercy. [19:02]
Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is your eternal High Priest who intercedes for you change the way you approach God in prayer and worship?
Day 5: Jesus as King and Judge
Jesus' resurrection and ascension signify His victory over death and His exaltation as King of Kings. He is depicted in Revelation as the rider on the white horse and the judge of all. His kingship and judgment assure us of His ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's promises, giving us hope and confidence in His return.
In Revelation, Jesus is depicted as the rider on the white horse, leading the armies of heaven, and as the judge who will come to judge the living and the dead. His kingship assures us of His ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's promises. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith and the necessity of Jesus' coming. [25:32]
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV): "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
Reflection: How does the image of Jesus as King and Judge influence your daily life and decisions? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to His authority?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Faith is the confidence of things that we hope for and assurance of things that we don't see. Romans 4, verse 18. This is where Paul is making the point that Abraham was saved by faith. It says against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations. Just as it had been said to him that he would have a child and that not only a child, but that God would make him, uh, make his descendants as the sand at the beach. He believed that even when he was an old man. He trusted him, trusted what God had said, and that was counted to him for righteousness." [31:29]
2. "Knowing that something is true, even when you haven't seen it yet. So I guess then faith would be believing that Christ does make intercession for us in the Holy of Holies in the Holy sanctuary. Faith would be believing that Christ is coming again. Faith would be believing that because these are the promises that have been made in the Bible that Christ has cleansed us from all sin and makes intercession for us and I'm sure that you could add more stuff to that but yes." [35:33]
3. "Christ really came to be a lamb, a sacrificial lamb for our sins and his blood was supposed to be on his people and also in revelations revelations 5 we see christ as the lamb on the throne and they are singing saying uh holy holy holy is the lord uh it's the lamb who was slain and his reason and and uh it is through his death on the cross and uh as god's perfect sacrifice for sin and his resurrection that we can now have uh eternal life." [14:58]
4. "The law, as we find out when we read through the Bible is that it was never made to serve anyone. But it was meant to be a mirror where we look at the law and then we can learn something about ourselves, how we fall short of the glory of God." [04:49]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We showed that the law was never enough to save but it was supposed to act as a mirror to show our sinfulness. We also saw that the Levitical priesthood was just a representation of Christ who was to come Christ had to come to offer himself up for our sins and for those who lived before and those who lived after us providing the ultimate sacrifice that's why we don't need to offer all those sacrifices anymore and now Christ is in the most holy place interceding for his followers and also Christ will come back as the judge." [36:07]
2. "Christ had to come because if he didn't come, then we would be stuck with a priesthood that didn't attain unto perfection. So we needed another priesthood which was after the order of Melchizedek. Now, what does it mean to be after the order of Melchizedek? It says this Melchizedek who was the king of Salem, king of Salem means king of peace. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the king. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the king. And blessed him. And then verse three says, without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning days or end of life." [19:02]
3. "Christ as the lamb, whose blood was, what, smeared on the door posts and on the sides, on the top of the door posts and on the sides, in order to indicate that it was the people of God who lived there. And the angel of death. The one who would pass over them. And it was a representation of what Christ had to do in our lives, that his blood would be upon us, and on the day of judgment, God's word would not lie on us, but we would be acquitted in a way and would be let go, accepted into the kingdom of God because the blood of Christ is on us." [13:19]
4. "Christ's priesthood is not based on blood or genealogy like that of the priest. He is one that stands forever. And that's very important for us. And it was important for Christ to come and to die because then how could he be a priest if he didn't offer a sacrifice? By offering up himself as a sacrifice, he also became a priest. And also, not only that, in Hebrews 6, from 19 to 20, it says that this hope is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, the Holy of Holies. But it's like the true Holy of Holies, the one in heaven, where our forerunner Jesus has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest. In the order of Melchizedek." [20:17]
5. "Christ as the writer on the white horse was leading the armies of God. So Christ does all this. And, uh, yeah, it was really interesting to research for this because we realized that Christ died so much. He didn't just die for our sins. He didn't just rise. He doesn't just offer our prayers or he doesn't just make prayers for us to the, to God, the father. He's also the writer on the white horse." [25:32]
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