44. Salvation Extended To All Series

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 44 – SALVATION EXTENDED TO ALL]

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

We have been looking at the resurrection of Jesus.

• Last time we talked about how this resurrection from the dead was unique in that Jesus was the first mortal man raised from the dead and granted immortality.

• Here was the first human truly in God’s image.

• The resurrection of Jesus is also living proof that we serve a God who has power to raise someone from the dead.

• And not only to raise them to immortality, but the resurrection of Jesus proves the nature of a finite person, their unique identity or “personhood” can extend beyond death into immortality.

But there is much more we need to discuss about Jesus’ resurrection.

• Up to this point, we have spent quite a bit of time examining the various aspects of Jesus’ saving ministry.

• Through it all, we emphasised Jesus’ willingness to submit His own will to that of the Father’s, “not my will, but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42).

• What we see now in the resurrection of Jesus is the Father’s validation of Jesus’ cry on the cross, “It is finished”(John 19:30).

• The Father has given His stamp of approval on Jesus successfully fulfilling ever task the Father had given Him in order to provide salvation for humanity.

• It’s the Father effectively saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17).

• In other words, the Father is saying, “I am satisfied Jesus has fulfilled all we set out to accomplish in order to restore our relationship with our wayward children.

• In theological terms this is called the doctrine of “Satisfaction.”

• The Father is satisfied justification of sinners has occurred by Jesus’ willingness to accept God’s judgment on sin by submitting to the death penalty on our behalf.

• The Father is satisfied sinners have been clothed with Jesus’ righteousness which He lived on our behalf.

• The Father is satisfied our fallen human nature has been sanctified and infused with Christ’s righteousness through union with Him.

• The Father is satisfied reconciliation has occurred as the barrier of sin preventing peace between the two parties has been removed.

• And remarkably, the Father is satisfied the way has been opened for Him to forgive His dear children so He can adopt them into “sonship.”

And if the Father has given His stamp of approval to all Jesus has accomplished, what does it mean for humanity?

• Well it effectively means the relationship between a holy God and His creation has changed dramatically.

• It is entirely built on a new basis pictured by the New Covenant instituted by the saving work of Jesus Christ.

• Prior to the atonement and the resurrection, because of man’s sin, the relationship between God and humanity was based on law and as a consequence, judgment, because of our failure to obey the requirement of the law.

• Ephesians 2:1-18 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

• We opposed God through our sinfulness, while God rightfully opposed us because of His holiness.

• But God was not going to abandon His children in our lost and sinful condition.

• V.4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved.