Was It Necessary For The Christ To Suffer?

Was It Not Necessary for the Christ to Suffer?

Theme: Christ’s suffering allows believers to have fellowship with God

INTRODUCTION

A. In a recent lesson we looked at the necessity of following in the footsteps of our Lord and that such

would entail suffering as a Christian.

1. Peter said, if any man suffer, let him suffer as a Christian. 1 Pet. 4:16

2. Such were not only the lives of the apostles (Acts 5:41) but for all who love the Lord. 1 Pet. 4:14

3. The question some might ask is: why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to suffer and die in the first

place?

B. This lesson is aimed at answering that question: why was it necessary for Christ to suffer?

1. To teach man the exceedingly sinfulness of sin, which brings about suffering and death in this

world.

2. The necessity of Christ’s sufferings and death.

3. How Christ’s sufferings are meant to bring sinful man – who believes in Him – to God.

I. THE EXCEEDINGLY SINFULNESS OF SIN

A. From the beginning God showed the magnitude of sin: death.

1. God explained the ramifications for transgression against His will. Gen. 2:15-17

2. In the same way, when the earth was filled with sin, God brought death upon the world as His

divine judgment.

B. That magnitude is reflected by God’s relationship with man who sins.

1. Adam and Eve taken/driven out of the garden. Gen. 3:23-24 (cp. Gen. 2:15)

2. Cain removed from God’s presence. Gen. 4:13-14

3. The people of Israel who sin: cut off. Gen. 9:11, Ex. 12:19

C. Suffering/Death also reveals the magnitude of sin. Rom. 7:13

1. Sin is so horrible and serious that the only way to illustrate its magnitude is by death and

separation from God.

2. God wants man to understand there is nothing worse than death/separation from Him. Rom. 6:13

3. Thus, we see the horror of suffering and death each and every day in the lives of mankind.

a. From the prophets of old whose lives were cut off from sinful man in declaring a Holy God.

b. To the daily experiences of life that manifest a world full of sin.

II. JESUS’ SUFFERING AND DEATH NECESSARY

A. God sent His Son into this world full of sin and sorrow. Jn. 1:1-14

1. To experience first hand (as Immanuel) the ramifications of living in a world full of sin. Matt.

1:23; Heb. 4:15

2. He came as the express image of God to purify sins (Heb. 1:3 ) knowing that the world (full of sin

and darkness) would reject Him. Jn. 1:10 (Isa. 53)

B. Through His light, Jesus exposed the exceedingly sinfulness of sin Matt. 26-27

1. Conversely, by exposing the sinfulness of sin, he experienced first-hand sin at its worst against

Him.

a. Being cut off from man, by man. Isa. 53:8

b. Bearing the weight of sin on behalf of man. Matt. 27:46

2. Thus, Jesus experienced pain and suffering like no other man on earth, but it lead to His glory.

III. THROUGH HIS SUFFERINGS CHRIST BRINGS BELIEVERS TO GOD

A. Christ died for sins once for all.

1. God manifested His love by providing His son – a perfect sacrifice – for the world. Jn. 3:14-16

2. God used Jesus – Immanuel – to humbly die in the most hated and ungodly manner so man could

see just how exceedingly sinful man is and their need for grace that exceeds their sins. Phil. 2:5-9

B. His death and suffering brings all (who believe) to God.

1. The end result is that death/separation from God is conquered and experienced in reconciling what

was lost through sin. 1 Pet. 3:18

2. The person who recognizes and receives the high cost of a free gift is blessed with life. Rom. 5:1-5

CONCLUSION

A. The death of Christ was necessary to show just how terrible sin is.

B. But, through God’s infinite wisdom, Christ’s death ultimately allowed all who believe to have eternal

fellowship with Him.