Good Friday: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Good Friday: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? © 2012 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

Listen to the audio which will be posted on Truthbase.net in a couple of days.

I. Prologue: We're not self-caused/existing beings. Revelation/Reason/Reality yield Truth; Only way finite to know infinite is if it's revealed.

II. Problem: Why doesn't everyone go to heaven? Alienation; Independence (rebellion) is the essence of sin. Gen 2:17; 3:21-22

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Lev 17:11 the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' Heb 9:22...without shedding of blood there is no remission/forgiveness

III. Penalty and Provision: Christ died in our place so we wouldn't have to die. Salvation reverses the effects of the fall: J/S/G #1

Rev 20:15 anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 21:27 only who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life

Ezk 18:4 all souls are Mine; the soul who sins shall die. Rm 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Ac 4:12...no other name...by which we must me saved. Jn 14:6

1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live thru Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jn 3:16

1Pt 3:18 Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit

2Cor 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself thru Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Rm 4:5-8 imputation)

Eph 2:8 by grace (f) you have been saved through faith (f), and that (n) not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

IV. Process: We believe that the Father accepts Christ's death on our behalf as payment for the death penalty we incurred by sin.

Act 26:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Col 1:13 delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Rm 10:17 Gal 3:2 Acts 10:43

Jn 1:12 as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in/on His name 3:36 wrath abides

Jn 5:24 he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life

V. Purpose: Eph 3:10 to the intent that now the wisdom of God might be made known by the church to powers in the heavenlies, 11 acc to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Lord Jesus Christ Rev 13:8 Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev 5:9 You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions (Ps 45) 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. See BRIDGE to LIFE on Truthbase.net for the ABC's of accepting God's gift.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why do people need to be saved? What's the difference between justification/sanctificaton/glorification? Are all those born glorified?

2. What's the difference between basing your forgiveness on faith, or on works, being good, being elect, being baptised or church membership?

3. In what does one exercise faith? Do all have faith? If you're forgiven and born again (Jn 3:16) can you be unforgiven and unborn? Eph 1:13

4. Have you reached the point in your spiritual life where, if you were to die tonight, you know you'd go to heaven? Is so, how do you know?

5. Have you accepted God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life? Can you explain to someone else how to get forgiven and into heaven?