The Righteous for the Unrighteous
April 10, 2011 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Jesus took our place so that we might be set free.
Focus Passage: Matthew 27:15-26
Supplemental Passage: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB)
Introduction: D.M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said, "I don’t like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example." Stearns replied, "If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?" "I certainly would," said the stranger without hesitation. "All right then," said the preacher, "let’s take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that for yourself?" The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. "Why, no," he said. "I acknowledge that I do sin." Stearns replied, "Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!" - Source Unknown
I. Barabbas the condemned
a. robber and murderer, condemned to die
b. We are like Barabbas
i. For all have sinned… Romans 3:23
ii. the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23
II. Jesus the Innocent
a. the pure, righteous silent sacrifice
b. Him who knew no sin TO BE SIN … 2 Cor 5:21
III. His Blood Be Upon Us
a. Pilate offered to release Jesus instead of Barabbas
b. The chief priests and elders convinced the crowd to ask for the murderer
c. Pilate washed his hands, but it didn’t make him any less guilty
i. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Invitation:
Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Eph 4:24 put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Rom 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
