His Belonging For Our Rebellion

1 | How have I experienced the tension?

I have in my pocket a $50 bill. I’d like to make a trade—an exchange of sorts.

Rummage through your backpack, purse, or pockets. What’s the most random thing you’d offer for this $50?

What do you have?

Wonderful! We can call that a trade. An exchange.

Tonight and Sunday’s messages are both anchored in this concept of another exchange. A slightly bigger one than $50 for a half-eaten granola bar.

We talk about the Gospel a lot. We say we’re Gospel-centered. We’re reminded every week of the good news of Jesus.

But if I’m honest, I don’t always feel the wonder of it.

I forget my desperation for Jesus.

2 | How have you experienced this tension?

I forget what life apart from him really means.

If you came in tonight considering Good Friday but not overwhelmed by it—you’re not alone.

If you’re unsure what you believe about Jesus or why this “Gospel” matters—then you’re exactly in the right place.

We all know the world isn’t perfect. But most of us? We’d describe it as… okay.

Our relationships? Not perfect—but okay.

Ourselves? Not perfect—but hey, we’re doing okay.

But if we’re okay, why would we need rescue? Why the cross?

It’s like owning a decent house. Maybe it needs a fresh coat of paint, but you’re not calling in an HGTV crew to gut the whole thing.

Why? Because the situation isn’t that dire

When it comes to our spiritual lives—are we mostly fine, just needing a few tips?

Or is it more critical than we realize?

3 | What do the Scriptures say about this tension?

Let’s look at Romans 5.

Read Romans 5:6–10

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

What’s the language used to describe us?

Weak.

Ungodly.

Sinful.

Rebellious

Is that overselling it? Hyperbole? Like the whole “rip your eye out if it causes you to sin” kind of thing?

But the Bible doesn’t shy away from this picture.

Adam and Eve saw what was good in their eyes and took it—over and over humanity has done the same.

And it’s not just in the Scriptures.

History bears this out:

Stripping land from native people.

Slavery justified by calling others less human.

World wars and genocides in just the last century.

And it’s not just out there in history books.

It’s in here—in my heart.

I justify my lust.

My gossip.

My defensiveness.

My craving for approval.

Weak.

Ungodly.

Sin-filled.

Enemies.

I want to believe this is an exaggeration.

But I can’t defend myself.

Maybe we’re not “okay” after all.

Maybe our imagination for what’s truly wrong isn’t big enough.

The Scriptures say: if we rummage through the satchel of our soul……what we pull out is weakness, sin, rebellion.

And this came into full view on the cross.

Roman crucifixion was brutal. Reserved for enemies of the empire. No Roman citizen could be crucified.

It was a statement: this is what happens to anyone who opposes Rome.

That’s why they put that sign over Jesus: “King of the Jews.”

A mockery, sure. But also a warning: This is what happens to rebels.

So what do we see?

The cross, meant to crush rebels……was used to bind the one who took on our rebellion.

Read Romans 5:6–10

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

How does God show love to weak, ungodly, sin-filled rebels?

While we were still rebelling—Jesus died for us.

What ruler does that?

What king says to his enemies: “I love you”?

This is why the Hamilton moment with King George is so funny.

You'll be back, soon you'll see You'll remember you belong to me You'll be back, time will tell You'll remember that I served you well Oceans rise, empires fall We have seen each other through it all And when push comes to shove I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love

That’s how kings usually respond.

But not Jesus.

In the face of our rebellion—he takes on our rebellion.

He exchanges his righteousness for our guilt.

His position for our punishment.

In Romans 5, Paul says we are justified.

Justification means the verdict is in—now. You don’t wait until judgment day.

You are declared righteous today.

No other faith offers this kind of confidence

In Islam, your good and bad deeds are weighed.

In Hinduism, it’s karma and dharma.

In Buddhism, it’s about detaching and reaching enlightenment.

But in Christ?

It’s already done.

And because we are justified—we are reconciled.

God is no longer far off. He’s near. We are brought close.

And more than that—we are adopted.

Not just pardoned.

Not just allowed in.

But made sons and daughters.

Many adoptive families celebrate Gotcha Days—the day that child was welcomed into their forever family.

That’s the image.

Full rights. Full love. Full belonging.

4 | How can the Gospel bring resolution to this tension in your life?

This is the great exchange.

Jesus took on who we were:

Weak.

Ungodly.

Sin-filled.

Rebellious.

And gave us what was his:

Love.

Righteousness.

Sonship.

Belonging.

Let that sit with you.

He took your rebellion—and gave you belonging.

Closing Invitation

(Invite the band up)

If you’re here and you already know Jesus—like me, maybe you needed this reminder.

That the Gospel is still good news. That the cross still speaks.

Maybe you’ve stopped living in awe of what Jesus has done. And maybe that’s shown up in your life.

If that’s you, I want to give you a moment.

Acknowledge it before God. Repent of where you’ve drifted.

And by faith, raise your hand if you want prayer.

If you’re here tonight and you’re unsure where you stand with God…

Maybe you once prayed a prayer—but you’re not sure you’ve ever really been adopted into God’s family…

Tonight could be your gotcha day.

Trust in Jesus. Acknowledge your need. Believe in his finished work.

Believe that his great exchange wasn’t just for others—but for you.

If you came with someone who follows Jesus—talk with them.

Or come forward after the service. We’ll have leaders ready to talk and pray with you.

Let’s pray.