A Ransom For All

A Ransom for All

July 17, 2011 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Jesus paid it all for those who believe.

Focus Passage: I Timothy 2:3-7

Supplemental Passage: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NASB)

Introduction: It was May 21, 1946. The place - Los Alamos. A young and daring scientist was carrying out a necessary experiment in preparation for the atomic test to be conducted in the waters of the South Pacific at Bikini.

He had successfully performed such an experiment many times before. In his effort to determine the amount of U-235 necessary for a chain reaction--scientists call it the critical mass--he would push two hemispheres of uranium together. Then, just as the mass became critical, he would push them apart with his screwdriver, thus instantly stopping the chain reaction. But that day, just as the material became critical, the screwdriver slipped! The hemispheres of uranium came too close together. Instantly the room was filled with a dazzling bluish haze. Young Louis Slotin, instead of ducking and thereby possibly saving himself, tore the two hemispheres apart with his hands and thus interrupted the chain reaction.

"By this instant, self-forgetful daring, he saved the lives of the seven other persons in the room. . . (A)s he waited. . for the car that was to take him to the hospital, he said quietly to his companion, 'You'll come through all right. But I haven't the faintest chance myself' It was only too true. Nine days later he died in agony.

"Nineteen centuries ago the Son of the living God walked directly into sin's most concentrated radiation, allowed Himself to be touched by its curse, and let it take His life . . . But by that act He broke the chain reaction. He broke the power of sin. ~George Vandeman, Planet In Rebellion.

I. God wants: Everyone to be saved

a. God gives us free will to believe or reject Jesus (and therefore salvation)

i. vs 4 God DESIRES all men to be saved

ii. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)

iii. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, (John 1:12 NASB)

II. God wants: Everyone to understand the truth

a. vs 5 There is only ONE GOD

i. “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. (Isaiah 43:10 NASB)

ii. … there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:6 NASB)

b. Jesus Christ is the go-between for God and men

i. vs 5 and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

ii. … we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1b-2 NASB)

iii. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1 NASB)

III. Jesus paid our ransom

a. Jesus substituted Himself for us: “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins;” (1 John 2:2 NASB)

b. [the Lord Jesus Christ] who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (Galatians 1:4 NASB)

c. For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20 NASB)

Invitation: