Saturday, March 30, 2013

IT IS FINISHED



John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

In the finally sermon of this “Prepare ye the Way” series, Pastor JJ explained that the point and purpose of the “Atonement” makes all the difference in the world.

Let’s say that there was a book with a minutely detailed account of our lives (like the ones we read about in Revelation 20:11-13). Each page would detail the transgressions that was spoken, every sinful thought that crossed our minds, and ever deed of inequity against God that we’ve ever done. God loves us, but hates sin and must punish it. To solve this problem, God sent His beloved Son into the world to make atonement for our sins. All of our sins have been placed upon Jesus.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Christ bore our sin in His body on the Cross. 1 Peter 2:24Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.Finally, when the last sin had been paid for, Jesus said, “It is finished!” Jesus is not saying: “I give up” or “I can’t take it anymore”, but that He has finished the work that God the Father set out before Him … “mission accomplished”. Jesus shows up, grows up, dies for us and goes up. This atonement was the very purpose of His life. “It is finished” in the original Greek is the word “τελέω teleō” or “Tetelestai”, which is a commercial term meaning the debt is paid completely and concluded. When Jesus died, He was buried for three days; but He rose from the dead and went to heaven to prepare a place for us. Now He offers forgiveness, eternal life and heaven to you and me as a gift. How can we receive this gift? This gift is received by faith. Believe.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Scripture is not just a book of Do’s and Don’ts or merely a reference Guide (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), but a true story of God’s love and goodness in rescuing His Sin-dead humanity. Through Christ’s death, we conquer death. This is the gospel story of God’s “plan of salvation”, but the story isn’t finished yet. Because of the atonement, our eternal destiny had an address change. God provided the solution to the problem and righted what was wrong with a payment that satisfied the penalty. First, there was victory. Christ over-came and defeated evil. Secondly, there was justice by the substituting the innocent for the guilty in sin. Thirdly, there was transformation. Our live story is changed. Our relationship with God that was broken by sin was healed. We were redeemed – boughten with a great price. Found justified in God’s court. We’re saved by a sacrifice - the atoning blood of Jesus. A triumph over death by dying. The cross, the symbol of Christianity, doesn’t mean “an instrument of death”; it means “an instrument of life” & victory! Sin has been paid for. Victory done / God won!

Colossians 1:19-20For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

The problem with many of us isn't the atonement, but believing that “He would do it for me”. Sin has been paid for, but we do not want to accept and believe that it is true. “It is finished”, so live out that reality. Reconciliation, restoration, redemption and salvation have been accomplished by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Stop living out your sin that was paid for. Surrender and find the truth that you are looking for. Sin is not the problem of the Believer. Live out “it is finished” and complete what you were created to do. Don’t stop reading the Bible. Don’t stop going to bible Study. Don’t stop going to church. But believe that “it is finished” and start living as a child of God.

Happy Easter, Brian

2 comments:

child of God said...

Hi Brian,

He is risen!!

The Bible is a book of God's love and His Character. All the answers to our problems can be found in there, we just need to read, pray and ask Father to help us understand and He will teach us and reveal His Word to us. When I think about the Holy Book, I become awed that God would put so much information there for us.

Have a blessed Resurrection SONday brother.

<><

Brian Ray Todd said...

Yes Child of God, the God-breathed, Word of God, Scriptures found within the pages of the Holy Bible are truly a "love story" from our Almighty Maker to us, for us and about our rescue from Sin & death by Jesus. Will we seek Him daily and live out the loving truth that by the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His resurrection (that we celebrate today) that conquered that sin and death, once and for all, "It is finished" and we are "set free" to now live godly lives, though His Word, Will & Way, for this life and His glory? Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday.