The Cost of Grace: Christ's Sacrifice and Salvation
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound cost of grace, the unmerited favor of God, through the lens of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I began by reflecting on 2 Corinthians 8:9, which speaks of Christ's richness becoming poverty for our sake, so that we might become rich through His sacrifice. This passage set the stage for a deeper examination of the price paid for our salvation.
I recounted the story of the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross," written during a time of suffering, which beautifully captures the essence of Christ's sacrifice. The hymn serves as a reminder of the emblem of suffering and shame that the cross represents, and the love and grace it symbolizes for humanity.
The sermon then took us back to the events leading up to the crucifixion, starting with the Last Supper, where Jesus introduced the New Covenant and the practice of communion. I described the emotional and physical agony Jesus endured in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He accepted the cup of God's wrath, the cup of sin, for our salvation.
I detailed the betrayal by Judas, the mock trial, and the brutal physical torture Jesus suffered at the hands of Roman soldiers. The crown of thorns, the scourging, and the mocking were all part of the inhumane treatment He received before being led to Golgotha.
At Golgotha, I described the crucifixion itself, where Jesus was nailed to the cross and lifted up for all to see. In His final moments, Jesus expressed forgiveness for those who crucified Him and promised paradise to a repentant thief beside Him. The darkness that covered the land symbolized God turning His back on His Son as He bore the sins of the world.
I emphasized the significance of Jesus' final words, "It is finished," which declared the completion of His mission, the payment of our debt, and His role as the ultimate Passover Lamb. Jesus' death was not a defeat but a victory over sin and death.
As we prepared for communion, I urged the congregation to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and the love that led Him to the cross. I shared the story of Dr. Robert Dick Wilson, whose greatest lesson from scripture was the simple truth that Jesus loves us, as told in the beloved children's hymn.
In closing, I extended an invitation to those who have not yet accepted Jesus into their lives, emphasizing that salvation is a gift freely given, paid in full by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Key Takeaways:
- The grace of God is a gift that cannot be earned, and it comes at the highest cost—the life of Jesus Christ. His journey from the riches of heaven to the poverty of the cross was a voluntary act of love, demonstrating that the wealth of God's kingdom is found in selfless sacrifice and service to others. [37:32
- The crucifixion was not only a display of physical suffering but also a spiritual transaction where Jesus took upon Himself the iniquity of us all. As we reflect on His wounds, we must recognize that by His stripes, we are healed, and through His pain, we find peace. This exchange is the central message of the gospel and the foundation of our faith. [58:04
- Jesus' final words on the cross, "It is finished," carry a depth of meaning that transcends time. They signify the completion of a divine transaction, the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, and the establishment of a new covenant in His blood. As believers, we are called to live in the victory and freedom that these words proclaim. [01:04:58
- The story of Barabbas is a powerful illustration of substitutionary atonement. Just as Barabbas was set free while Jesus took his place on the cross, we too are released from the bondage of sin because of Christ's willingness to bear our punishment. This act of divine exchange reveals the heart of the gospel—Jesus took our place so we could take His. [50:58
- Communion is a sacred practice that invites us to remember and proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. As we partake of the bread and the cup, we are reminded of the body broken and the blood shed for us. This ritual is not only a memorial but also a means of grace, where we encounter the presence of Christ and are united with Him and with each other as the body of Christ. [01:08:18
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 8:9 - "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
2. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
3. John 19:30 - "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 8:9 tell us about the nature of Jesus' sacrifice? How does it describe His transition from richness to poverty? [37:32]
2. In the sermon, what significance does the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" hold in understanding Jesus' sacrifice? [38:11]
3. What events led up to Jesus' crucifixion as described in the sermon? List at least three key moments. [40:57]
4. What were Jesus' final words on the cross, and what did they signify according to the sermon? [01:03:31]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus becoming poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9) challenge our understanding of wealth and sacrifice in the Christian life? [37:32]
2. Reflect on the emotional and physical agony Jesus endured in the Garden of Gethsemane. What does this reveal about His commitment to God's will and His love for humanity? [43:19]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus' final words, "It is finished," were a declaration of victory. What does this victory entail, and how does it impact our faith today? [01:03:31]
4. How does the story of Barabbas illustrate the concept of substitutionary atonement? What does this tell us about the nature of Jesus' sacrifice? [50:58]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the cost of grace as described in the sermon. How does understanding the price Jesus paid on the cross affect your daily life and decisions? [37:32]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of remembering Jesus' sacrifice during communion. How can you make your participation in communion more meaningful and reflective of Jesus' love and sacrifice? [41:36]
3. Jesus' journey to the cross was marked by immense suffering and sacrifice. Identify a specific area in your life where you can practice selfless sacrifice and service to others, following Jesus' example. [37:32]
4. The sermon highlighted Jesus' forgiveness even in His final moments. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take steps towards offering that forgiveness this week? [58:44]
5. The story of Barabbas shows that Jesus took our place on the cross. How does this understanding of substitutionary atonement influence your view of salvation and your relationship with Jesus? [50:58]
6. Jesus' final words, "It is finished," signify the completion of His mission. What mission or purpose do you feel called to complete in your life, and how can you rely on Jesus' example and strength to fulfill it? [01:03:31]
7. Reflect on the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" and its message. How can you cherish and cling to the cross in your daily walk with Christ? What practical steps can you take to keep the significance of the cross central in your life? [38:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Costly Nature of Divine Grace
Grace is a costly gift, exemplified by Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The journey from heavenly riches to the poverty of the cross was a deliberate act of love, showing that true wealth in God's kingdom is found in selfless sacrifice and service. This grace, though freely given to us, came at the highest price—the life of Jesus Christ. He chose to become poor so that through His poverty, we might become spiritually rich. This divine exchange is not something that can be earned or merited; it is a gift of love from the Creator to His creation. The richness of this grace should inspire a life of gratitude and service, reflecting the selfless love of Christ in every action. [37:32]
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding the cost of God's grace change the way you view your own spiritual wealth and how you serve others?
Day 2: The Spiritual Transaction of the Cross
The crucifixion was a profound spiritual transaction, where Jesus bore the iniquity of humanity. By His stripes, we are healed, and through His suffering, we find peace. This exchange is the heart of the gospel and the foundation of our faith. It is essential to recognize that the physical suffering of Christ was for a spiritual purpose—to reconcile us to God. His wounds are a testament to the depth of His love and the extent of His sacrifice for our salvation. As believers, reflecting on His pain should bring us closer to understanding the magnitude of His grace and the peace it brings to our lives. [58:04]
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the healing and peace that Christ's sacrifice has provided for you in your daily interactions?
Day 3: The Finality of Christ's Mission
Jesus' last words, "It is finished," signify the completion of a divine mission, fulfilling ancient prophecies, and establishing a new covenant. These words carry a depth of meaning that transcends time, marking the victory over sin and death. Believers are called to live in the freedom that His finished work on the cross proclaims. This declaration is not an end but a beginning for us, an invitation to enter into a life transformed by His sacrifice and to embrace the new covenant of grace He has established. [01:04:58]
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:30 ESV
Reflection: What does living in the victory and freedom of Jesus' final words, "It is finished," look like in your personal life?
Day 4: The Divine Exchange of Atonement
The story of Barabbas illustrates the concept of substitutionary atonement—Jesus taking our place so we could take His. Just as Barabbas was set free while Jesus was crucified, we are released from the bondage of sin because Christ bore our punishment. This act of divine exchange is the essence of the gospel, revealing the depth of God's love and the extent of His grace. Understanding this exchange should lead us to a profound sense of gratitude and a commitment to live a life worthy of the sacrifice made on our behalf. [50:58]
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18 ESV
Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's substitutionary atonement influence the way you view your own freedom and the choices you make each day?
Day 5: Communion as a Means of Grace
Communion is a sacred practice that invites us to remember and proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. As we partake in this ritual, we are reminded of the body broken and the blood shed for us. It is not only a memorial but also a means of grace, where we encounter the presence of Christ and unite with Him and each other as the body of Christ. This practice is a tangible way to experience the love and sacrifice of Jesus, drawing us closer to Him and to one another in fellowship. [01:08:18]
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" - 1 Corinthians 10:16 ESV
Reflection: How can participating in communion deepen your understanding of Christ's presence in your life and strengthen your connection to the body of believers?
Quotes
"Grace is God's favor that we don't deserve it's God's unmerited favor and that's what salvation is. Salvation is Grace, salvation is something that we don't deserve and that's what it is, God giving you and I what we do not deserve. We don't deserve it at all but what I want to talk about today is what was the price of that Grace, what was the price that was paid for us so that we could have that Grace, so undeserving." [36:56
"Jesus introduced a New Covenant, it was introduced a new idea and that was the Lord's supper, some Churches would call it communion. It's still being practiced today as we remember not so much what the Passover Lamb did in Egypt but Jesus being a picture of the ultimate Passover Lamb and it a remembrance of what he knew that he was about to do within the next 12 to 15 hours at that point." [41:36
"Jesus was sweating great drops of blood from his forehead and it was so traumatic that an angel was sent from heaven to strengthen our Lord because Jesus was about to die right there in the garden. But then about 2:00 3:00 in the morning all of a sudden the mob showed up and was led by Judas the Betrayal, they came to arrest Jesus." [43:57
"Do you think I cannot call my father and he will at once put at my disposal more than 12 Legions of Angels? But Peter, put your sword away, for all who draw the sword will die by The Sword. Jesus could have called the angels, He had them at his disposal, but instead, he chose to fulfill what was written and to endure what was to come." [45:49
"Jesus is fulfilling what Isaiah wrote 750 years before in verse number four and five and six, 'surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering... he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.'" [58:04
"Jesus cried out 'it is finished,' it was a cry of Victory. The Greek word 'tetelestai' has several meanings. One is when a man was in debt and his debt paid, his note stamped 'paid in full.' Jesus on the cross said your debt has been paid. Also, when a lamb was deemed worthy for Passover sacrifice, 'tetelestai' meant the lamb is acceptable, pure. Jesus was saying, 'I am the Passover Lamb, and today I'm giving the devil a death blow.'" [01:04:58
"Jesus took your sins and my sin upon himself, we're coming to the end of Darkness about 3:00 in the afternoon, three hours of Darkness, six hours total on the cross. We finally hear him cry out 'it is finished.' By the way, this wasn't a cry of defeat, it was the Victor's cry." [01:03:31
"Jesus took my place, he took your place. And Jesus, he took your sins and he paid it all. It was your cross, it was Barabbas' cross, but Jesus took your cross. Pilot had no choice at the time but to free Barabbas and let Jesus go through the horror of the crucifixion." [50:58
"The Roman soldiers, they take a nail and they place it between the bones below the wrist and they take the hammer and slug that nail to the cross. I can imagine one of the soldiers just looking at the other soldiers and say, 'He just lay there, doesn't he? He doesn't fight like the others.' He just lay down his life." [56:38
"Throughout the morning we hear words coming out of Jesus' bruised, bleeding lips, 'Father forgive them for they know not what they're doing.' In other words, Jesus expressed forgiveness for those who crucified Him, demonstrating the depth of His love and grace even in the midst of His suffering." [58:44
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