Supremacy Of Christ And Greatness Of Salvation

The Supremacy Of Jesus And The Greatness Of Salvation

Colossians 1:19-22

19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

Jesus Made Peace Through The Blood Of His Cross

Jesus’ death was an atoning death>

Another word for “making peace” is the word “atonement”. So here we come to the doctrine of the “atonement”. The “atoning death” of Jesus Christ.

Atonement – websters = “to make amends” or “make reparation for an offense”

(ILL) a person committs a crime and is put into jail for a period of time – finally that person is released – “paid for the crime” -- they have atoned for their wrongdoing.

Well you see – the Bible makes it clear that all of us have sinned – in fact we sin because we are by nature sinners – we have all done things that have offended a holy God – or we have failed to do what Almighty God has commanded –

verse 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mine engaged in evil deeds

describing the condition of man without the atoning - reconciling work of Jesus Christ

alienated – estranged – separated – or cutoff (this goes both ways)

hostile in mind – being hostile to God – resenting God – resenting His Holy standard – resenting His Sovereignty –

Engaged in evil deeds - doing – saying – thinking – things that offend a Holy God --- OR – omitting what Almighty God has commanded

So before people are reconciled to God – that’s what they are – alienated – hostile in mind – engaged in evil deeds - AND in order to for there it be PEACE there must be reconciliation – there has to be atonement –for the wrong done

Atonement – requires blood -- sacrifice must be made

Hebrews 9:22

22And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

So all through the OT – from the garden of eden on – we see people who worshipped and honored God making sacrifices to “atone” for their sins. Every year – they observed a “Day of Atonement” and everything and everyone in the nation of Israel focused on the moment when the High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and later in the temple to offer an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the nation.

But notice this

Hebrews 10:1-4

1For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things,can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:11-12

11And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,

John 1:29

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Jesus Death On The Cross Was Substitutionary

verse 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death

Jesus died a vicarious death – in other words his death was on our behalf – or – in our place

Now this is important

(ILL) If I am drowning and someone dives in and saves me but loses their life in the process – I’m going to be overwhelmed with gratitude

(ILL) Crystal Rapids – saved by a life guard - just an interruption in the fun for everyone else – a curious – maybe even a little humorous event NOW what if that life guard had been so wiped out that he actually died in the process of saving me? -- everyone would might say “what a real hero” -- I would forever think about this person that died to save me

Now another perspective

(ILL) If I’m setting safely on the bank (not drowning) and someone says – I’m going to demonstrate how much I love you by jumping in the water – I might set up and pay attention – just out of curiosity – BUT then if that person jumps in the water to show me that they love me AND then they die in the water --- then I don’t really understand – it doesn’t really make much sense and in fact it seems a little pointless – it doesn’t really accomplish anything