Understanding the Purpose of Jesus' Sacrificial Death
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound question: "Why did Jesus have to die?" This question is central to our faith and understanding of the gospel. We began by acknowledging that everything in creation exists for the glory of God. This foundational truth helps us understand the purpose behind Jesus' sacrificial death. God, in His infinite wisdom, created a world where His attributes—such as love, mercy, and justice—could be fully expressed. For these attributes to be displayed, there had to be a context of fallenness and sin, which necessitated a Savior.
We explored the concept of reconciliation, which is the process of bringing peace between two hostile parties. In our case, humanity's sin created a chasm between us and God. Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate act of reconciliation, bridging that gap and restoring our relationship with God. This act of reconciliation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that continues to sanctify us as we grow in our faith.
We also discussed the role of justice and mercy in God's plan. Justice requires that sin be punished, but mercy allows for forgiveness. Jesus' death satisfied both these divine attributes, making it possible for us to be forgiven and justified before God. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth of our sin and the magnitude of God's grace.
Finally, we are called to be ambassadors of this reconciliation. Just as Jesus reconciled us to God, we are now tasked with spreading this message of reconciliation to others. Our primary purpose on earth is to be evangelists, sharing the gospel and making disciples. This calling reinforces the importance of living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Purpose of Creation: Everything in creation exists for the glory of God. Understanding this foundational truth helps us grasp why Jesus had to die. His death was the ultimate act of glorifying God by demonstrating His attributes of love, mercy, and justice. [36:59]
2. The Necessity of Reconciliation: Reconciliation is the process of bringing peace between two hostile parties. Humanity's sin created a chasm between us and God, and Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate act of reconciliation, restoring our relationship with God. [47:51]
3. Justice and Mercy: God's justice requires that sin be punished, but His mercy allows for forgiveness. Jesus' death satisfied both these divine attributes, making it possible for us to be forgiven and justified before God. This dual satisfaction underscores the depth of our sin and the magnitude of God's grace. [46:04]
4. The Role of Sanctification: Even after being reconciled to God, we continue to sin because it is in our nature. However, the process of sanctification helps purify us as we grow in our faith. This ongoing transformation is a testament to God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [55:47]
5. Our Calling as Ambassadors: As recipients of God's reconciliation, we are now called to be ambassadors of this message. Our primary purpose on earth is to share the gospel and make disciples, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [58:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:12] - Opening Prayer
[23:15] - Introduction and Announcements
[24:25] - Connection Cards and Offerings
[29:09] - Fiscal Year and Budget Update
[30:40] - Dinner for Eight and Men's Breakfast
[32:45] - Engaging Faith Series Introduction
[34:08] - Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
[35:33] - The Purpose of Creation
[36:59] - Everything for God's Glory
[38:29] - God's Creative Expression
[41:31] - The Necessity of Fallenness
[42:56] - Justice and Mercy
[44:31] - Temporary Forgiveness in the Old Testament
[46:04] - Romans 5:8-11 and Divine Justice
[47:51] - Understanding Reconciliation
[49:18] - The Seriousness of Sin
[50:54] - Jesus' Role in Reconciliation
[52:34] - Hostility with God
[54:15] - 2 Corinthians 5:19 and Reconciliation
[55:47] - Sanctification and Justification
[57:30] - Our Calling as Ambassadors
[58:57] - Pleading for Reconciliation
[01:00:35] - Closing Prayer and Blessings
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (CSB)
> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and see, the new has come. Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say about the identity of someone who is in Christ?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, who initiated the process of reconciliation?
3. What role are believers given in 2 Corinthians 5:20?
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of reconciliation between humanity and God? ([47:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17? How does this transformation impact a believer's life?
2. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Jesus' death in the context of God's justice and mercy? ([46:04])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers should act as ambassadors for Christ? ([57:30])
4. How does the concept of sanctification, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the ongoing process of reconciliation? ([55:47])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. In what ways do you see yourself as a "new creation" in Christ? Are there areas where you still struggle with your old self? How can you seek God's help in these areas?
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the depth of our sin and the magnitude of God's grace. How has this understanding changed your perspective on your relationship with God? ([49:18])
3. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to share the message of reconciliation. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear this message. What steps can you take this week to share the gospel with them? ([57:30])
4. The sermon discusses the ongoing process of sanctification. What specific actions can you take to grow in your faith and become more like Christ? ([55:47])
5. How can you balance the attributes of justice and mercy in your interactions with others, reflecting God's character as described in the sermon? ([46:04])
6. The sermon calls us to live a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. What changes can you make in your daily life to better reflect this transformation to those around you? ([58:57])
7. Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to act as an ambassador for Christ but didn't. What held you back, and how can you overcome this barrier in the future? ([57:30])
Devotional
Day 1: The Purpose of Creation
Everything in creation exists for the glory of God. This foundational truth helps us grasp why Jesus had to die. His death was the ultimate act of glorifying God by demonstrating His attributes of love, mercy, and justice. Understanding this helps us see that the entire narrative of the Bible, from creation to redemption, is about God's glory being revealed. Jesus' sacrificial death is the pinnacle of this revelation, showing us the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin. By recognizing this, we can better appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. [36:59]
Isaiah 43:7 (ESV): "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Reflection: How does understanding that everything exists for God's glory change the way you view your daily activities and decisions?
Day 2: The Necessity of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is the process of bringing peace between two hostile parties. Humanity's sin created a chasm between us and God, and Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate act of reconciliation, restoring our relationship with God. This act of reconciliation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that continues to sanctify us as we grow in our faith. It is through Jesus' sacrifice that we are brought back into a right relationship with God, highlighting the importance of reconciliation in our spiritual journey. [47:51]
Colossians 1:20 (ESV): "And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation? How can you take a step towards peace today, inspired by Jesus' example?
Day 3: Justice and Mercy
God's justice requires that sin be punished, but His mercy allows for forgiveness. Jesus' death satisfied both these divine attributes, making it possible for us to be forgiven and justified before God. This dual satisfaction underscores the depth of our sin and the magnitude of God's grace. By understanding the balance of justice and mercy in God's plan, we can better appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made and the grace we receive daily. This understanding should lead us to live lives that reflect both justice and mercy in our interactions with others. [46:04]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate both justice and mercy in your daily interactions? How can you reflect God's character in your actions?
Day 4: The Role of Sanctification
Even after being reconciled to God, we continue to sin because it is in our nature. However, the process of sanctification helps purify us as we grow in our faith. This ongoing transformation is a testament to God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Sanctification is the process by which we become more like Christ, and it involves daily surrender and obedience to God's will. As we grow in our faith, we are continually being shaped and molded into the image of Christ, reflecting His character more and more. [55:47]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to God's sanctifying work? How can you take a practical step towards that today?
Day 5: Our Calling as Ambassadors
As recipients of God's reconciliation, we are now called to be ambassadors of this message. Our primary purpose on earth is to share the gospel and make disciples, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. This calling reinforces the importance of living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. As ambassadors, we are tasked with spreading the message of reconciliation to others, showing them the love and grace that we have received through Christ. This is our mission and purpose as followers of Jesus. [58:57]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of reconciliation? How can you be an ambassador for Christ to them today?
Quotes
1. "The beautiful thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it demonstrates an attitude of giving and of generosity. When he asks us to share of our first fruits, he's inviting us into taking on his attributes of generosity. And we do that. One of the ways that we do that is through our giving." [24:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to understand that all things were created for God's glory, and that's very clear in Scripture. Revelation 4.11 tells us that all things were created for your pleasure. Other translations, this is the King James version, other versions might say that all things were created for your will, but what it's trying to get at is that all things were created for God's purpose. They were created for his glory, for his pleasure, for his will." [36:59] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is a God of love. He's a God of mercy. He's a God of justice, and many other attributes. But did you know that for a God to express mercy, there needs to be something that requires mercy? So what that requires is something that's fallen. In order for God to express his attributes of saving things, it has to be lost first." [41:31] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What we need to understand is that Jesus died to resolve sin's consequences through his reconciliation. And so what is reconciliation? Reconciliation is this. Reconciliation means bringing peace to two hostile individuals. In other words, when you are in a fight with somebody else, you're bringing peace to two hostile individuals. And so when you're in hostility one with the other person, you need to reconcile. And reconciliation means a coming together and finding a place of peace." [50:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are called to be reconcilers. Did you know that the reason that we are still here on this earth is not to have a good job, not to have great kids, not to do all this other stuff? The number one reason that we are still here on this earth is because we are called to be reconcilers of the gospel. We are called to be evangelizers. The only reason that we're still here is because the world hasn't been evangelized yet, and so he leaves us here to do the hands and of evangelism for him." [57:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. You know, God could do it all on his own if he chose to do it, but he doesn't. He has chosen us to be the part of his work, the cooperative aspect of doing evangelism. He could save everybody, but we know that he has called us to do the work of the gospel. He has called us to be part of his work, and so he works through us, and what do we do? We plead on Christ's behalf to what? People, lost person, be reconciled to God. That's our clarion call. Be reconciled to God." [58:57] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we have Jesus, we have eternity. We have eternal life. We have everything. We have everything, because God has reconciled us to him through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. What a blessing we have." [01:00:35] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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