His Pain Our Gain (Easter 2011)

INTRODUCTION

• VIDEO CLIP (2nd service)

• SLIDE #1

• This day is unique in the sense that we are celebrating something that changed the course of history and the destiny of mankind forever!

• Christians come together not to mourn the death of our leader, but to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Jesus defeated death so that we no longer are trapped by the curse of death! What other faith can boast of being able to celebrate a resurrection!

• Do you ever remember a time that someone else paid the price for something you did?

• Did you have a brother or sister who took the rap for something you did? Maybe you did something at school that someone else got into trouble for?

• Have you ever done something that required punishment, only to have someone voluntarily step up and take your punishment for you?

• If you have ever had this happen to you, did you feel bad that another person took the punishment that you had earned, or were you just happy that you got away with it and someone else took the fall for you?

• Today I would like us to understand that Jesus pain IS our gain.

• Let’s begin with 1 Peter 2:21-23

• SLIDE #2

• 1 Peter 2:21-23(ESV) 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

His pain is our gain because:

I. His pain should have been our pain!

• Why did Jesus die? Why did He endure the suffering he endured?

• In part He suffered as an example for us, so that we could learn how to deal with the difficult times of life.

• The word translated “example” was a word used that pointed out the way a child was taught to write. Letters were written on a page and the children would trace the letters so they could learn how to write.

• Let’s look at the deeper reasons for His pain!

• SLIDE #4

A. He died because of OUR sins.

• Verse 22 reminds us that Jesus committed NO sin! This whole passage ties back to Isaiah 53 which is part of what is called the “suffering servant poems.

• They were written a few hundred years before Jesus was born and they spell out exactly what was to happen to Him.

• Jesus was an innocent person. He lived a perfect sinless life. The bible shares this with us in many places. 1 Peter 1:19 says His blood was spotless, without blemish.

• We are told that not only were Jesus actions sinless, but that He did not sin in His speech!

• When Jesus was on trial, the religious leaders had to find people to falsely accuse Him of violating the Law. Matthew 26:59-60

• SLIDE #5

• Matthew 26:59-60(ESV) 59Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward

• When we jump into verse 24 we see that Jesus BORE our sins. The word BORE was used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to denote the act of a priest offering various sacrifices upon the altar.

• SLIDE #6

• Hebrews 7:27(ESV) 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

• SLIDE #7

B. Jesus did not see vengeance for His suffering.

• When we get in trouble for something we did not do, our reaction would most likely be that we would vow to get even with the one who got us in trouble.

• Even if someone were to turn us in for something we had done, most people would want to get even with them.

• Did you ever get in trouble for something that someone else had done?

• I remember getting in trouble for something my brother did, the whole time my thoughts were all about getting him back, making him pay.

• When Jesus was unjustly being beaten and crucified, He did not use harsh words towards those who abused Him.

• Look at what Jesus said about His abusers!

• SLIDE #8

• Luke 23:34(ESV) 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.