WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHRIST

Rom. 3:19-28

The death of Jesus Christ is the answer to the problem of SIN. It is the central theme of the Bible. It is the central, focal point of all history. It is the object of heaven and earth’s attention.

It was the purpose for which Christ was born and lived. It is the basis of His present work and future glory.

It is the essential part of the Gospel, the power of God in the soul, and the song of the redeemed.

THE NECESSITY OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST

Rom. 3:19-23

I. THE HOLINESS OF GOD MADE CHRIST’S DEATH NECESSARY

- Christ came to suffer and to die (Lk. 24:25-26).

A. Man is sinful and deserving of the wrath of God (Rom. 3:10, 23).

1. There is none that is born into this world loving God (Ps. 14:1; 53:1-3).

2. God was under no obligation to save anyone.

B. In order for God to save man, He had to provide ATONEMENT for sin.

- Our sin was put on Christ (II Cor. 5:21).

1. The need for atonement for sin is typified in the Old Testament Sacrifices.

a. We have an illustration of this in Abel being accepted of God because of his bloody offering (Gen. 4:4).

b. The Levitical sacrifices reveal that blood was to be given for atonement (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22).

2. The need for atonement for sin is evident from Old Testament Prophecies.

a. The Seed of Woman would be bruised (Gen. 3:15).

b. The Psalmist gives a prophecy of Christ on the cross (Ps. 22:1-18).

c. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Christ offering Himself as our Substitute (Isa. 53:3-6).

3. The atonement was necessary because of God’s holiness.

a. No sin will ever come into the presence of God.

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity”(Hab. 1:13).

b. God’s justice demands punishment for sin.

- Our sin was put on Christ (Heb. 2:9-10).

c. God’s righteousness demands perfection.

4. God’s justice was satisfied in the death of Christ.

a. Christ offered Himself to bear our sins (I Pet. 2:24).

b. Christ suffered and died for our sins in order that He might bring us into right standing with God (I Pet. 3:18).

5. Because of Christ’s sacrificial work, God is free to justify all that call upon Him for salvation (Rom. 3:25-26).

6. The sinner is made perfect in Christ (Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:21).

II. THE LOVE OF GOD MADE THE DEATH OF CHRIST NECESSARY (Jn. 3:16).

A. The Cross was a necessity of love.

1. Because God is who and what He is, He had to send His Son (I Jn. 4:10, 19).

2. It was the love of Christ that moved Him to die for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6, 8).

B. The cross was a necessity for salvation.

1. There was no other way to save lost sinners.

2. If Christ had not died on the cross, we would have no hope (Heb. 9:22).

3. The only way a sinner can be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

4. If you could be saved any other way, then Christ died in vain.

CONCLUSION

1. This is the simple Gospel message that we are commissioned to preach.

2. To the world, it is foolishness, but to the child of God, it is the POWER of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 1:18, 21).