“PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL”

Are We Ashamed Of The Gospel?


Romans 1:14-16
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

INTRODUCTION

Shortly before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His apostles what we call the Great Commission…


a. To preach(publish, or proclaim openly that which has been done) the gospel to every creature –

Mark 16:15-16 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


b. To make disciples of all the nations –

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

It was a mission taken seriously by the early disciples…


a. From the beginning, at Jerusalem –

Acts 2:36-38 – Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked (convicted) in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


b. Even when persecution forced them to flee –

Acts8:4-5 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 14:5-7 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:7 And there they preached the gospel.


Acts 20:22-24 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.


c. Thus the message of the gospel spread throughout the world –

Romans 10:16-18 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

But what about today?

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (one who reports known facts) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Are we proclaiming the gospel of Christ as we should? To our friends, to our neighbors? To those in our communities, to those in other places? If not, perhaps we should ask…

I. ARE WE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL?

A. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME…

You personally shared the gospel with someone?

a. Not just discussed some religious subject.

b. But talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

c. Is sharing the gospel no longer a priority for you today?

Have you heard the gospel preached?


a. Many churches no longer preach the gospel.
b. Many churches talk about deep spiritual things, but fail to preach the gospel.
c. Is evangelizing the lost no longer a priority for churches today?

   B. MIGHT WE BE ASHAMED….

Of Jesus and His words? –

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed (embarrassed) of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

a. Jesus assumed that some might be ashamed of Him and His words

b. Because of influence by a sinful and adulterous generation

c. As our generation has become increasingly sinful, are we embarrassed to talk about Jesus?

Of appearing foolish to others?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness(silly); but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
a. Paul admitted that the message of the cross is foolishness to many.
b. Preaching Christ crucified can be both a stumbling block and foolishness to the unsaved.
c. Many people today consider religion foolish, are we ashamed to talk about Jesus? NOTE: CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A RELIGION, IT IS A RELATIONSHIP!

C. WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE…

Men or God? –

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

a. Paul stated that we either please men or God.

b. If we are concerned with pleasing men, we are not servants of Christ.

c. Who are we trying to please today – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers?

Why some would not confess Jesus

John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.


a. Even though they believed in Jesus.
b. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
c. Whose praise do we seek today: man’s or God’s?

[There may be other reasons why proclaiming the gospel is not priority for many Christians today, but I suspect many are simply ashamed of what others might think. Yet let me offer reasons…]

II. WHY WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED

A. THE GOSPEL IS THE POWER OF GOD…


1. This is why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel

Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
a. Why he was ready to preach the gospel.
b. Even to those in Rome who had already heard it.


2. The gospel contains incorruptible seed –

1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
Psalm 119:89

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.


a. Through which one is born again.
b. The Word of God, which lives and abides forever.
c. Like the rest of God’s Word, it is living and powerful – Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing (penetrating) even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (fit to judge) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

B. THE GOSPEL IS THE POWER TO SALVATION…


1. Salvation from all our sins – Romans 3:23; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
a. we are all guilty
b. we stand in danger without Christ.
2. Deliverance from the present sins – 1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape (to get away from), that ye may be able to bear it.

  1. Salvation from the future judgment – 2Corithians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.; Romans 5:8-9 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified (made righteous) by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
    a. A judgment we shall all face
    b. A judgment without wrath for those in Christ
C. OTHER REASONS NOT TO BE ASHAMED…

Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren –

Hebrews 2:11 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified (set aside, purified) are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

God is not ashamed to be our God –

Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

That we not be ashamed at the Lord’s coming –

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence (freedom to speak openly, cheerfully, fearlessly), and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

CONCLUSION

There may be other reasons why many Christians do not share the gospel…


a. Cares, riches, or life’s pleasures may have a strangle-hold on them –

Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.


b. Hearts hardened by the deceitfulness of sin may be the problem.

Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12

Simple apathy may be a reason –

Revelation 3:15-17 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

But if it because we are embarrassed or ashamed…


a. There is no good reason to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
b. Even if it means having to suffer ridicule, rejection, even persecution.

For the message we proclaim is the most important message in the world!
It is more important than the cure for cancer, the solution to world hunger, etc. It is the message that saves souls for eternity…!


2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

God’s Plan of Salvation:

GOD LOVES YOU –

John 3:16 –For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ALL ARE SINNERS –

Romans 3:10, 23

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

SIN HAS A PRICE –

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

TWO DEATHS – PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL –

Revelation 20: 14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

JESUS ONLY DIED FOR SINNERS –

Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him

ONE CAN NOT EARN HEAVEN –

Ephesians 2:8,9 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

ONE MUST BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS TO BE SAVED –

Romans 10:9-10 – 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN HIM –

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13

INVITE CHRIST TO LIVE IN YOUR –

I John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

A Prayer Of Faith –
Dear Heavenly Father, I truly believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead for my sin. I confess that I am a sinner deserving of hell and I realize I can not save myself. I from this very moment on confess Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for making it possible for me to be part of your family through Christ. Father, lead me through your Word to what you have me to do with my life. Help me turn from my sin and surrender everything I have to Jesus. I pray in Christ name, Amen.

CHRIST PROMISES TO NEVER LEAVE YOU –

Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5

Why You Should Trust In My God.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and
depart from evil.

My God can speak and the storm becomes calm

Mark 4:37-41

 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

My God can call the name of a dead man and He walks out the grave.

John 11:39-45

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.45   Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

My God can speak nothing into greatness.

Genesis 13 

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 6  And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 9   And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 11  And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 14   And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:15  And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 20   And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 24  And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 26   And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

My God can touch the sick and they become whole.

Luke 8:45-48

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?46  And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.47  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.48  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

My God can take the broken heart and put all the pieces back together again.

Psalm 147:1-5

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.


My God can make the craziest person and make them sane again.

Mark 5:6-17

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.


MY GOD CAN PROVIDE US WITH THE ONLY WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE.

John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

THE INCORRUPTABLE GOSPEL

I Peter 1:18-25

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

I. It is the theme of the everlasting word of God.

A. The first indicator a savior would come –

Genesis 3:14- And the LORD God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:


B. The word of God leaves absolutely no room for another gospel –

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.


1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

C. Without Christ, there is not escape from judgement –

Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

II. It is the only thing that will matter in the end.


A. This life is soon over –

I Peter 1:24-25 – For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.


B. Judgement is sure for both the believer and the unbeliever –

Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:


III. It is a purifying Gospel.

I Peter 1:22-23 – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John 15:1-5 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

  • Spiritual cleansing comes from the Word of God John
  • This cleansing enables us to be fruitful as a believer.
  • Without Jesus, we are absolutely nothing.
  • Believers who are not abiding in the word are of no eternal value to anyone.


IV. It is a result of the Father, through the Holy Spirit calling them.

John 6: 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.


A. This is a result of the word of God.

Romans 10:13-17 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


B. They will not know if someone does not tell them.

C. If we do not tell them, who will?

V. It was foreordained before the world was formed.


John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

  • God provided a way to salvation before man was even formed.
  • We have the good news in our hands and in our hearts.
  • It is our responsibility to make this good news known to all.

God’s new Temple

I Corinthians 6:19-20

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Today we conclude our series on moving forward in Christ.  The first was Our old nature.  Then we looked at Transformation, not reformation.  Last week was the New Creation we have become in Christ.  Today, we will look at our Bodies as God’s new temple.

I. God has paid for this new Temple.

A. It cost Jesus His blood.

Hebrews 9:27-28 – 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.


B. His blood and His alone justifies Sinners.

Romans 5:9 – Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.


C. His sacrifice was necessary to satisfy God the Father.

Isaiah 53:4-11 – Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.


D. His blood provided total forgiveness for all your sin.

E. Man cannot become spotless without this blood.

I Peter 1:18-19 – Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:


F. His blood produces a never ending life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 3:15-16 – That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

II. It cost God His son

Romans 8:3-4 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

A. God sent the son for our sin.
B. Jesus was forsaken by God because of our sin.
C. Because of this sacrifice, we can be made righteous in God’s sight.

III. It cost you and I all our sin.

Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
I John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

IV. God is now the one who determines what this new temple can do.

I Corinthians 6:19-20   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

A. Our body is not longer ours to control.
B. We have indeed been bought with a great price.
C. We our to glorify God in our body and our spirit. – Both the inside and the outside.

V. God’s simple plan of salvation.

A. One must see themselves as a sinner unable to save themselves.
B. One must see that they deserve to die for their sin –

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


C. One must believe that Jesus died to pay your debt and Jesus alone is able to pay for your sin.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


D. Heart belief and outward confession

Romans 10: 9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.


E. One must call out to the Lord for salvation –

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.