Christ the Victor
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
He is the perfect son of man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ, the great and sure fulfilment
Of the law in Him, we stand
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Christ, the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death, the God of life
But no grave could ever restrain Him
Praise the Lord, He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
This modern hymn, written by Keith and Kristen Getty and Matt Papa, beckons us to behold the wonderful mystery of the Gospel. To behold the scandalous love of God displayed in the death of Christ on our behalf. The perfect Adam, the Son of God. The Messiah, the Anointed One. The Savior of the World. The Creator of the Universe and all that is within it. The Author of History, Past, Present, and Future. God Himself condescended to mankind and died to atone for our sins.
Behold Him, nailed to the cross, every breath more agonizing than the last. The God of life experiencing death. Behold Him as He proclaims, “It is finished.” Behold the empty tomb. Behold the Conquering King.
Behold Christ the Victor.
We celebrate Easter because on this day, 2,000 years ago, death was conquered. Sin was defeated. The serpent’s head was crushed under the foot of Jesus. The promise of redemption in Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled. Satan struck, but Jesus crushed him. This was not some accident, but it was the will of God to crush Jesus. The wrath of God was satisfied by Jesus’ sacrifice. Sin was rendered powerless by Jesus’ resurrection. Peace with God, and freedom from sin was now made available through the work of Jesus.
And now, He sits in victory on the throne of Heaven, interceding for us. In the near future, He will break through the clouds and bring us to Himself and will wipe away all evil.
Behold Christ the Victor.
Main Point: Christ’s Victory is Our Victory
Main Point: Christ’s Victory is Our Victory
Victory Through Justification
Victory Through Sanctification
Victory Through Glorification
Victory Through Justification
Victory Through Justification
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
Christ’s victory over death brings us justification with God. What is justification? A good way of thinking of it is “Just as if I never sinned.” When we put our faith in Jesus, and fully trust and believe that His death was sufficient to save us, we are justified. Our old selves are stripped away and we become a new creation.
The stench of sin is covered by the sweet aroma of the righteousness of Christ and when God the Father looks at us, He no longer sees our helplessness, or our sins, but He sees Jesus.
God’s wrath is removed from us by the blood of Christ and we are redeemed and adopted as Children and heirs of God.
Justification is our victory. No longer do we have to worry about the cup of God’s wrath. We will not have to drink from it, because it was poured out on Jesus. No longer do we have to be afraid of God because of His anger. Now we can approach God and know that we will be met with His kindness.
There is no condemnation for those of us who are children of God. We have victory over our sins and are now in right standing with God.
Our sins do not have the last word. Satan does not have the last word. Romans 8:31-35
31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
We are more than conquerors. Christ has redeemed us, and removed all condemnation and judgement from us. Who can condemn us? Who can accuse us? Who can stand against us and separate us from Christ?
No one! Christ has purchased us with His blood. He died for us! And God has shown us mercy and grace and has set His eyes favorably on us! God is the Judge and His judgement has passed over us. There is no one that can stand and accuse us. There is no condemnation for us.
We are secure in Christ. And this is our victory through justification.
Victory Through Sanctification
Victory Through Sanctification
We have immediate victory through justification when we believe in Jesus’ Victory. But we are made victorious through sanctification, the process of dying to our own desires, passions, and sinfulness, and becoming more like Jesus in His holiness and righteousness. In fact, evidence of your justification is whether or not you are growing in Jesus.
Martin Luther wrote, "There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow."
Sanctification is the reality of our victory in Christ. If Jesus is our Lord and Savior we will become more like Him. We will bear fruit that is only found in Christ and His Holy Spirit. Year after year we should see change and there should even be immediate change when we are first saved.
What does Sanctification look like? Colossians 3:1-17
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. 11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Your life should reflect the character of Jesus. If you are a Christian and have been justified by Christ, people should see a difference in you. Your old life is gone, the new is here. Are you putting to death your earthly desires and passions? Are you pursuing the things of God? Is your mind set on the things above? On the Gospel and of Christ? Do you love the people around you? Can your friends tell there is a difference in you?
Do you love your sin? 1 John 3:10 “ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
Sanctification is a process. We do not obtain perfection while we live. We will not stop sinning. However, through the mercy and grace of God, and through the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will grow in righteousness.
We have victory through Sanctification because our flesh and our sin is slowly killed and we become more like Christ. Christ’s victory over death sustains us, encourages us, and reminds us that we are His and that He started a good work in us. And we know that if He started it, He will see it to completion.
Christ’s Victory proves to us that He is faithful and accomplishes what He sets out to do. Because of that, we will have victory through sanctification.
Victory Through Glorification
Victory Through Glorification
One day, our sanctification will be complete and we will have complete victory over sin. When Christ returns and we are united with Him and receive our new bodies, we will be free from sin, pain, and suffering. At that time, we will be victorious and will receive glorification.
We can be confident that this will take place, because Jesus was resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
20 But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
Jesus Himself promises us that we will be united with Him in Heaven. John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Christ’s Victory on the Cross is our anchor and our foundation for the hope that we have in our future victory. He resurrected from the dead and has promised that He will come back again for us. When He does He will make all things new and through Him we will conquer and be victorious. We will dwell with Him in His house forever.
And when He returns in all His glory, He will put an end to death, suffering, and wickedness. Revelation 21:1-7
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.
This is what we long for. This is when our hope and faith will turn to sight and we will see our King.
Christ’s Victory is our Victory. Christ conquered sin and death on the cross and in His resurrection, justifying us before God. Christ conquers in our lives, sanctifying us. and Christ will come again in power and might, conquering the curse once and for all, bringing us glorification.
Christ is the Victor.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Application
Application
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Remember the Gospel
Preach The Gospel
Benediction
Benediction
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
