TRANSACTION AT THE CROSS
2 Cor 5:21
2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Intro:
Anybody whose been around me very long knows that I think weird stuff often. In fact, I am also inspired in weird ways, too. There are 2 companies with a series of commercials that makes me think about what happened at the cross. (I played the clips of these 2 commercials on the screen. )
1. Commercial: “Offer Up”- people are encouraged to offer up things that others might want or need.
2. Commercial: “Let Go” - people are encouraged to let go of things they no longer need.
The 1st Commercial had the theme of offering up something that someone else needs and could use. This company’s name always reminds of what Jesus offered up at the cross.
A. WHAT JESUS “OFFERS UP”.
1. His Life.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified
Ever since man sinned in the garden of Eden, unblemished lambs had been sacrificed to God for a temporary covering for their sins. But, 2000 yrs ago, Jesus left the glory of Heaven to be born as a man. He lived a perfect life and offered Himself up as the Lamb of God to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. He was tortured and He died on the cross for us that we might be saved.
2. His Blood.
Matthew 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
So, Jesus shed His blood on the cross that Friday. He died and His body was buried. But some time between Friday night and Sunday morning, Jesus went to Heaven and entered the Holy of Holies and poured His blood on the Mercy Seat as the once and for all offering for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness {for sin}.
3. His Redemption.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Redemption- to redeem something is to pay the price to set one free from slavery or prison. In the old days, Coke bottles were redeemed by the Coke company. As kids, we would pick up dirty, nasty bottles that had been thrown in the ditch as worthless. We took them to the store and were given 3 cents for each one. Back then, cokes were 20 cents, so 7 bottles would be traded for a new Coke. The dirty bottle was taken back to the company and cleaned up and made useful again.
We are all stained with sin. Jesus paid the price for our sins and redeemed us from the curse of sin, which is death. He cleans us up and purifies us and makes us useful again.
Big Daddy Weave- I am redeemed, You set me free. So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be. I am redeemed. I'm redeemed.
4. His Righteousness to us.
1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness;
Jesus had a single-minded purpose at Calvary 2000 yrs ago.
* He carried that cross up that hill to offer His life.
* He was nailed to that cross to shed His blood for the remission of sin.
* He died to pay the price for our sins and to redeem us from the curse of sin, which is death.
*** What was His purpose?
(1) So that we would die to sin.... to be cleansed from our sins and leave our old life behind....
(2) So we could live to righteousness.
* Jesus died to make you holy!!
I will never understand the people that think you can repeat the words of some prayer and keep right on living in sin and think they are saved and on their way to heaven.
* Jesus died to save us from our sins... not so we would continue to live in our sins.
* If your lifestyle has never changed since you supposedly met Jesus, then likely your eternal destiny hasn’t changed either.
* Are you living in righteousness today?
The 2nd Commercial we watched had to do with letting go of something that is holding you back. It reminds me of all the things that weigh us down and hurt us that Christ wants us to let go of.
B. WHAT WE NEED TO “LET GO”.
1. Our Sins.
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
Many today have joined the church....been baptized...but have never truly experienced the times of refreshing that comes from being born again. Why? Because they never really repented of their sins.
* They might have reformed themselves for a little while.
* They might have gotten dunked under the water.
* They might attend church, but they never got saved because they never truly repented.
* Jesus said “Unless a man repents, he cannot be saved.”
Many on Judgement Day are in for a big surprise thinking they are going to heaven, but find out they are headed to hell because they were never really saved.
** Many today choose not to repent and be saved because of some sin they aren’t ready to let go of. My advice to you today is to let go of it. There is no sinful pleasure on this earth worth going to hell for.
2. Our Guilt and Shame.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Many people suffer with guilt and shame. Many think they’ve messed up their lives so much that God would never forgive them. That God would never want them.
LOOK WHAT THIS VERSE SAYS:
(1) If you will confess (repent) of your sins...
(2) God is faithful to forgive you of your sins...
(3) And God will cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness. No matter how much you have sinned, God’s got enough grace to cover it.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
And once you are “in Christ”..... look at this....
(1) Old things are dead.
(2) New things have come.
(3) You are a new creature.
* God removes your guilt/shame— replaces it with righteousness!
3. Our Fears. (Another thing God is telling us to let go of– FEAR)
Isaiah 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
(1) I am with you!
(2) I am your God!
(3) I will help you!
(4) I will uphold you!
What does Christ tell you to do when worry comes?
1 Peter 5: 7 cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Anything the world throws at you, Jesus is saying “I got this.”
We don’t have to fear the world....the enemy.... death.
C. THE GREAT TRANSACTION AT THE CROSS.
The greatest transaction of all eternity is offered at the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
What is that transaction?
Jesus the Lord of Glory that had never sinned, took all the sins of the world into His body.
He offered up His life and His blood to pay the price for our sins.
And, He is offering us forgiveness and His righteousness even today.
He is telling us today to let go of our sinful lives, our guilt and shame, and live in the blessed hope of salvation in Him!
The transaction?
* Our sins for His righteousness.
* Our guilt and shame for the joy of salvation.
* Our deaths for eternal life.
* An Eternity in hell for a home in heaven.
The offer is made this morning. How will you respond?
