The Great Exchange: Faith, Forgiveness, and Communion
Summary
In this week's gathering, we reflect on the unparalleled life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. His life and death hold profound significance, but only when we understand the foundational truths that precede them. The Bible reveals that God's wrath is against all ungodliness, and deep down, we all know God deserves honor and gratitude. Yet, we fail to give Him what He deserves, and this failure is universal. Romans 1 tells us that although we know God, we often choose to ignore Him, leading to a life of foolishness and idolatry, often worshiping ourselves.
This knowledge of God and our failure to honor Him is innate, but the consequences of our actions are dire. We are aware that our sins deserve death, and yet, we continue to endorse and participate in sin, both in our lives and in the lives of others. This is a sobering realization of our spiritual state. However, the gospel brings hope. It tells us that Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. This is not something we can discern from nature; it is a truth revealed through the gospel.
The heart of Christianity is the Great Exchange: our sins are placed on Jesus, and His righteousness is given to us. This is the essence of the gospel. The question then arises: how do we partake in this exchange? The answer is through faith. Believing in Jesus means trusting in His work, not our own. It is not about our deeds but about believing in what Jesus has done for us. This belief unites us with Him, granting us forgiveness and eternal life.
As we partake in communion, it is a moment for believers to reflect on their faith in Jesus. It is a call to rely solely on Him for mercy and forgiveness, not on our own achievements or traditions. For those who have not yet placed their faith in Him, it is an invitation to consider the most important decision of their lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Innate Knowledge of God: Every person inherently knows God and understands that He deserves honor and gratitude. Despite this, we often fail to give Him the reverence He deserves, leading to a life of foolishness and idolatry. This knowledge is universal and undeniable. [02:01]
2. The Consequence of Sin: Our awareness of God's decree means we understand that our sinful actions deserve death. Yet, we continue to engage in and endorse sin, which is a reflection of our spiritual blindness and rebellion against God. [04:20]
3. The Great Exchange: The core of the Christian gospel is the Great Exchange, where our sins are placed on Jesus, and His righteousness is given to us. This profound truth is the heart of Christianity and offers hope and redemption. [08:05]
4. Faith, Not Works: Salvation is not about our deeds but about believing in what Jesus has done for us. Faith in Jesus unites us with Him, granting us forgiveness and eternal life. This belief is a transformative act of trust. [10:49]
5. Invitation to Communion: Communion is a sacred moment for believers to reflect on their faith in Jesus. It is a call to rely solely on Him for mercy and forgiveness, and an invitation for those who have not yet believed to consider the most important decision of their lives. [12:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Celebrating Jesus' Life and Death
- [00:51] - The Importance of Knowing God
- [01:26] - Innate Knowledge of God's Wrath
- [02:01] - Universal Failure to Honor God
- [03:42] - Consequences of Sin
- [05:16] - The Need for the Gospel
- [06:40] - The Great Exchange Explained
- [07:51] - The Heart of Christianity
- [08:46] - Peter's Story and Faith
- [09:50] - The Vision of Unclean Animals
- [10:27] - Belief and Forgiveness
- [11:41] - Uniting with Jesus
- [12:42] - Invitation to Communion
- [14:23] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 1:18-32
2. Isaiah 53:4-6
3. Acts 10:34-43
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 1, what is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness? How does this passage describe humanity's response to God's truth? [01:26]
2. In Isaiah 53, what are the specific actions and sufferings that Jesus endured for our transgressions? How does this passage describe the result of His suffering for us? [06:05]
3. In Acts 10, what vision did Peter have, and how did it change his understanding of who could receive the gospel? [09:19]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon describe the "innate knowledge" of God that every person possesses? Why is this knowledge significant in understanding our spiritual state? [02:01]
2. The sermon mentions the "Great Exchange" as the heart of Christianity. How does this concept redefine the understanding of justice and mercy in the context of the gospel? [08:05]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of faith in receiving forgiveness and eternal life? How does this contrast with relying on personal deeds or traditions? [10:49]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you knew the right thing to do but chose otherwise. How does the sermon’s message about our innate knowledge of God challenge you to respond differently in the future? [02:01]
2. The sermon highlights the consequences of sin and our tendency to endorse it. What are some practical steps you can take to avoid endorsing sin in your daily life, whether online or in person? [04:56]
3. Consider the "Great Exchange" and its implications for your life. How does understanding that Jesus took on your sins and gave you His righteousness affect your view of yourself and others? [08:05]
4. The sermon emphasizes faith over works for salvation. In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own achievements rather than trusting in Jesus' finished work? [10:49]
5. Communion is described as a moment of reflection on faith in Jesus. How can you prepare your heart and mind to partake in communion meaningfully, focusing on reliance on Jesus alone? [12:42]
6. The sermon invites those who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus to consider this decision. If you are in this position, what questions or concerns do you have about taking this step? [12:42]
7. How can you share the message of the "Great Exchange" with someone in your life who may not understand the significance of Jesus' life and death? What specific actions can you take this week to start that conversation? [08:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Innate Awareness of God's Worthiness
Every person has an inherent understanding of God's existence and His deserving of honor and gratitude. This knowledge is not something learned but is embedded within us. Despite this, humanity often fails to give God the reverence He deserves, leading to a life characterized by foolishness and idolatry. This universal failure to honor God is a reflection of our spiritual condition, where we often prioritize our desires and self-worship over acknowledging God's rightful place in our lives. This innate awareness calls us to examine our hearts and recognize the areas where we have neglected to honor God. [02:01]
"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you neglected to honor God in your daily life, and how can you begin to change that today?
Day 2: The Weight of Sin's Consequences
Understanding the consequences of sin is crucial for recognizing our need for redemption. The Bible reveals that our sinful actions deserve death, a sobering truth that highlights the severity of our rebellion against God. Despite this awareness, many continue to engage in and endorse sin, reflecting a spiritual blindness and a deep-seated rebellion. This realization should lead us to a place of humility and repentance, acknowledging our need for God's grace and mercy. [04:20]
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one sin in your life that you have been ignoring or justifying, and how can you bring it before God in repentance today?
Day 3: The Great Exchange: Our Hope and Redemption
The heart of the Christian gospel is the Great Exchange, where our sins are placed on Jesus, and His righteousness is given to us. This profound truth offers hope and redemption, as it assures us that we are not left to bear the weight of our sins alone. Instead, Jesus takes our place, offering us His righteousness and a restored relationship with God. This exchange is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a gift of grace that we receive through faith. [08:05]
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the Great Exchange change your perspective on your relationship with God and your identity in Christ?
Day 4: Faith as the Path to Salvation
Salvation is not about our deeds but about believing in what Jesus has done for us. Faith in Jesus unites us with Him, granting us forgiveness and eternal life. This belief is a transformative act of trust, where we rely not on our own efforts but on the finished work of Christ. It is through faith that we experience the fullness of God's grace and the assurance of our salvation. [10:49]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Jesus' finished work?
Day 5: Communion: A Call to Reflect and Believe
Communion is a sacred moment for believers to reflect on their faith in Jesus. It is a time to remember His sacrifice and to rely solely on Him for mercy and forgiveness. For those who have not yet placed their faith in Him, it is an invitation to consider the most important decision of their lives. Communion calls us to examine our hearts, reaffirm our trust in Jesus, and invite others to experience the transformative power of the gospel. [12:42]
"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, how can you deepen your trust in Jesus and invite others to experience His grace?
Quotes
in this week we are celebrating the greatest life that was ever lived and the greatest death that was ever died there never has been there never will be a greater life lived than the life of Jesus on the earth and there never has been a more important death there never will be a more important death than the death which Jesus died [00:00:01]
the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth for what can be known about God is known to them for God has made it plain to them his invisible attributes that is his divine nature and power have been clearly seen from the creation of the world and the things that have been made therefore they are without excuse [00:01:28]
there is not a person in this room who does not know God profoundly there is not a person in this room who does not know know God is to be honored and God is to be thanked he's infinitely honorable and he has given us everything that we have he is to be honored and he is to be thanked [00:02:45]
though they knew the decree of God that those who practice such things deserve to die they not only do them they approve of those who do them Romans 1:32 do you hear what that means not only do we know God not only do we know he is to be honored and thanked not only do we know we have failed and fail every day all of us but we also know what the consequence is for us and those who do them [00:04:04]
surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows yet we esteemed him stricken Smitten by God and Afflicted but the but there means this isn't what you think it is but he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that made us whole and by his stripes we are healed [00:05:40]
all of us like sheep have gone astray we knew this we have turned every one of us to his own way we know this and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all we do not know that unless we're told that isn't communicated through nature that's communicated in the gospel it's communicated tonight out of my mouth to you because God wants you to know [00:06:15]
if you ever wondered what's the heart of Christianity it is The Great Exchange my sin goes to him his righteousness comes to me he Bears My Punishment I gain his reward this is the gospel and the Urgent question in this room right now is so how do I get in on that I mean will everybody be forgiven or or do you have to do something [00:07:57]
everyone who believes on his name receives forgiveness of sins no you don't do anything to get it you believe something believing is different from doing because believing is banking on the doing of another Jesus did something we're singing it we're saying it we're symbolizing it we're putting it up we're just trying to get ourselves in the middle of it tonight [00:10:22]
Jesus did the great thing he died the death we could never die for ourselves and he lived the life we could never live for ourselves he bore the punishment that was ours to bear and he took the curse that was ours to be cursed with he did the doing and now to him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in his name benefits from all that it becomes yours [00:11:13]
believing in Jesus receiving him as the great doer of of all you need done for you that you can't do unites you to him and when you're United with Jesus all that he is he is for you and all his forgiveness is your forgiveness but if you stay away from him this great achievement is not yours [00:11:55]
as we eat now and drink the only people the Bible says who should eat and drink worthily are believers we invite you to eat with us if you're a believer in Jesus Christ if you are not banking on yourself somehow weighed in the scales you go down you won't you go up Jesus is the only one who goes down in the scale of justice [00:12:29]
are you throwing yourself on him for Mercy is he your only hope for forgiveness for the Fulfillment of all of his promises to you even eternal life or are you somehow banking on yourself your tradition your family your achievement your devotion your pastoral role no him alone and if so we welcome you to eat if not have integrity and just when the tray comes let's pass it by [00:13:12]
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