Jesus: Our Sin, Substitute, and Savior

Devotional

Day 1: Sin as a Condition, Not Just Actions

Sin is more than a list of wrongdoings; it is a condition that inherently separates humanity from God. This separation is evident in the self-centeredness and brokenness observed in the world. Sin originates from within, manifesting in various forms of moral and ethical failures. Recognizing this condition helps individuals understand their need for a savior, as it highlights the gap between human nature and divine holiness. Acknowledging sin as a condition rather than just actions allows for a deeper understanding of the human predicament and the necessity of divine intervention. [06:57]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you noticed self-centeredness or brokenness in your own life? How can acknowledging these aspects help you seek a deeper relationship with God today?

Day 2: Jesus as Our Substitute

The concept of substitution is central to the Gospel message. Jesus' death was not merely an example but a substitutionary act where He bore the penalty for humanity's sins. This act of love and justice reconciles individuals to God, offering a way to be cleansed from sin. The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed forward to this ultimate act of substitution, illustrating that Jesus took on humanity's dirtiness so that they might be made clean. Understanding Jesus as a substitute emphasizes the depth of His love and the significance of His sacrifice. [13:30]

Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of love or forgiveness. How does understanding Jesus as your substitute change your perspective on that experience?

Day 3: The Savior's Invitation to Salvation

Jesus' death and resurrection provide the means for salvation, bridging the gap between humanity and God. This is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to each individual to accept His love and forgiveness. The brokenness of the world is evident, and the solution is found in Jesus, who offers a way to be reconciled to God and experience true peace. By believing in Him, individuals are accepted and loved despite their weaknesses and failures. This invitation is the essence of the Gospel, offering a way back to God. [19:16]

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection: What barriers do you feel are keeping you from fully accepting Jesus' invitation to salvation? How can you begin to dismantle these barriers today?

Day 4: Recognizing the Brokenness of the World

The world is undeniably broken, and this brokenness is evident in individual lives and society as a whole. The solution to this brokenness is found in Jesus, who offers reconciliation with God and the experience of true peace. Recognizing the brokenness around and within oneself is the first step toward seeking the healing and restoration that Jesus provides. This understanding encourages individuals to look beyond temporary solutions and seek the eternal peace offered through a relationship with Christ. [21:04]

Romans 8:20-21 (ESV): "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

Reflection: Identify one area of brokenness in your life or community. How can you invite Jesus into this area to begin the process of healing and restoration?

Day 5: A Personal Response to the Gospel

The Gospel is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to each individual. By acknowledging sin and accepting Jesus as a substitute, individuals find acceptance and love in Him. This personal response to the Gospel involves recognizing one's need for a savior and embracing the love and forgiveness offered through Jesus. It is an invitation to experience a transformed life, marked by a restored relationship with God and a renewed sense of purpose and peace. [22:15]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to respond to Jesus' invitation and deepen your relationship with Him? How will this step impact your daily life and interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound significance of what Jesus did for humanity, focusing on three pivotal words: sin, substitute, and savior. We began by examining the concept of sin, acknowledging that it is an inherent part of human nature. Sin is not merely a list of wrongdoings but a fundamental condition that separates us from God. This separation is evident in our self-centeredness and the brokenness we observe in the world around us. The Bible makes it clear that sin originates from within us, manifesting in various forms of moral and ethical failures.

The second word, substitute, highlights the core of the Gospel message. Jesus did not die merely as an example but as a substitute for us. The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed forward to this ultimate act of substitution, where Jesus bore the penalty for our sins. This act of love and justice reconciles us to God, offering us a way to be cleansed from our sins. The imagery of substitution is powerful, illustrating that Jesus took on our dirtiness so that we might be made clean.

Finally, we considered the word savior. Jesus' death and resurrection provide the means for our salvation, bridging the gap between humanity and God. This is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to each of us. The world is indeed broken, and the solution is found in Jesus. By believing in Him, we are accepted and loved, despite our weaknesses and failures. This is the essence of the Gospel: that through Jesus, we have a way back to God.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Sin: Sin is not just a list of wrongdoings but a condition that separates us from God. It originates from within us, manifesting in various forms of moral and ethical failures. Recognizing this helps us understand our need for a savior. [06:57]
2. The Role of a Substitute: Jesus' death was not merely an example but a substitutionary act. He bore the penalty for our sins, reconciling us to God. This act of love and justice is central to the Gospel message. [13:30]
3. The Savior's Invitation: Jesus' death and resurrection offer us salvation, bridging the gap between humanity and God. This is a personal invitation to each of us to accept His love and forgiveness. [19:16]
4. The Brokenness of the World: The world is broken, and this brokenness is evident in our lives and society. The solution is found in Jesus, who offers us a way to be reconciled to God and experience true peace. [21:04]
5. A Personal Response: The Gospel is not just a historical event but a personal invitation. By acknowledging our sin and accepting Jesus as our substitute, we find acceptance and love in Him. [22:15]
** [22:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction and Context
[00:40] - Scripture Readings
[01:22] - Peter's Declaration and Rebuke
[02:08] - Christ's Sacrifice Explained
[03:26] - The Disciples' Struggles
[04:20] - Three Key Words: Sin, Substitute, Savior
[05:19] - The Reality of Sin
[06:12] - Jesus' Teaching on Sin
[07:25] - The Brokenness of the World
[08:14] - Historical Illustrations
[09:41] - The Problem and Its Solution
[12:36] - The Concept of Substitute
[14:13] - The Significance of the Cross
[17:54] - Salvation Through Christ
[20:25] - Personal Reflection and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Mark 8:27-31
1 Peter 3:18
Isaiah 53:6

---

Observation Questions:

In Mark 8:27-31, what was Peter's initial reaction to Jesus' prediction of His suffering and death, and how did Jesus respond to him? [01:36]
According to 1 Peter 3:18, what is the purpose of Christ's death, and how is it described in terms of righteousness? [02:08]
How does Isaiah 53:6 describe the condition of humanity and the role of the substitute? [07:42]
What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of sin as an inherent condition rather than just a list of wrongdoings? [06:26]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of sin as a condition that separates us from God challenge common perceptions of morality and ethics? [06:57]
In what ways does the idea of Jesus as a substitute provide a deeper understanding of the Gospel message? [13:30]
How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection as a personal invitation to salvation? [19:16]
What does the sermon suggest about the brokenness of the world and the role of Jesus as the solution? [21:04]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you recognized your own self-centeredness or moral failure. How does acknowledging this help you understand your need for a savior? [06:57]
How can the imagery of Jesus as a substitute change the way you view your relationship with God and others? [13:30]
In what ways can you personally respond to Jesus' invitation to accept His love and forgiveness? What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [19:16]
The sermon mentions the brokenness of the world. Identify one area in your life or community where you see this brokenness. How can you bring the hope of Jesus into that situation? [21:04]
Consider the idea that the Gospel is not just a historical event but a personal invitation. How can you share this message with someone in your life who may not yet understand its significance? [22:15]
Reflect on the fear of death mentioned in the sermon. How does your faith in Jesus as your savior influence your perspective on life and death? [12:07]
The sermon discusses the concept of being accepted and loved despite our weaknesses. How can you extend this grace and acceptance to others in your daily interactions? [21:33]

Sermon Clips

Now what we need to be very clear about is everything but not least of all when we come to this matter of sin. Oh says somebody we're not going to talk about sin again are we well yes we are why is that well because the bible has so much to say about it i mean it it's quite ridiculous to think that you would go up to the cleveland clinic one of the finest hospitals in the world and have diagnosis and discover that there's nothing wrong with you at all every part of you is perfect no once they scan you they can certainly find something to treat you for there's no question. [00:04:37]

Jesus says I'm not sure you fellas have understood this don't you see that nothing that enters a man or a woman from the outside can make them unclean for it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach and then out of their body what comes out of a man Jesus says is what makes him unclean for from within out of men's hearts come evil thoughts sexual immorality theft murder adultery greed malice deceit lewdness envy slander arrogance and folly all these evils come from inside and make a person unclean. [00:06:11]

Anyone who is an honest assessor of where we are in contemporary western culture recognizes that something is spoiling our lives something is ruining our homes something is robbing us of lasting peace and satisfaction and well we have to say then why and how 600 years before Jesus the prophet Isaiah also put it in a very succinct way this is what he said all we like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way. [00:07:11]

We do have a problem it is broken and we can't fix it now you see this is a very gloomy story no no don't don't run away just yet what we're recognizing is that the moral order of our universe is dysfunctional that by and large men and women do not believe in judgment they do not believe in sin and yet at the same time every single one knows what it is to be ashamed what it is to get in your car and say I should never have said that. [00:09:49]

Jesus does not die as an example but he dies as a substitute all we like sheep have gone astray which we quoted already each of us has turned to his own way predicament but the lord yahweh god the father has laid on him the iniquity of us all so the wages of sin is death the punishment that we deserve in place of that which we deserve god himself in his love provides a substitute. [00:12:57]

God the father has provided in Jesus the one who pays himself the full penalty for my sin and for my disobedient disobedience he bears the judgment that I deserve and it is God's love his mercy and his justice that is equally displayed and is eternally reconciled. [00:14:13]

In order for something to get clean something else has to get dirty and so you take our three sheets of squat towel to go out and deal with your windscreen in the in the early morning due and in order for that windscreen to get clean you bring the scott towel in and it's dirty now that's the whole point of this substitution thing Jesus Christ bears all our dirtiness in order we might get clean. [00:15:42]

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who believe it is the power of god in other words in christ your view of the world is radically changed but it is offensive it is it is it is intellectually offensive because what it does is it says it's not your intellect that's going to carry this story it is morally offensive because what it says is even if you lived your best life now for the rest of your life you could never live a good enough life to tip the scales back in your favor. [00:16:39]

It is in Jesus that God has provided the reconciliation that is needed because we are alienated we're alienated from God sting is is old now I don't think anyone listens to him but I still recall some of the things he was on about and in one of his favorite songs or one of his best known songs he wrote everyone I know is lonely and God so far away and my heart belongs to no one and so I sometimes say please take the space between us and fill it up some way. [00:18:05]

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him would not perish but have everlasting life you see there is an indivisible boundary between us and God and we can't cross that boundary to know God savingly we can't engage him if you like on our own terms and in our own time he's actually outside the range of our intuitive radar well then then he's going to have to do it bingo that's the story. [00:19:09]

The world is broken the world is broken the cure is in Jesus the answer on a personal basis is to believe not simply that there was a savior and he did something but that he died in my place so that although I know I'm aware of my own weakness and of my own failure in Jesus I am accepted and I'm loved. [00:21:11]

There's a way back to God from the dark paths of sin there's a door that is open and you may go in at calvary's cross that's where you begin when you come as a sinner to Jesus so what do we say I am a sinner you are the substitute please save me. [00:22:15]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Jesus: Our Sin, Substitute, and Savior

Devotional

Day 1: Sin as a Condition, Not Just Actions

Day 2: Jesus as Our Substitute

Day 3: The Savior's Invitation to Salvation

Day 4: Recognizing the Brokenness of the World

Day 5: A Personal Response to the Gospel

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus: Our Sin, Substitute, and Savior

Share