Soteriology 5

WHY DID GOD BECOME A MAN?

1. TO CONFIRM PROPHECY

A. (AV)

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

B. (AV)

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

2. TO REVEAL HIMSELF AS FATHER

A. In O.T., God is revealed as Creator, Ruler

B. Jesus reveals God as Father.

1. (AV)

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

2. (AV)

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

3. “The relationship of the child of God to His heavenly Father is a precious New Testament concept.”

3. TO BE A FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST

A. “Christ came that He might enter into every human experience, apart from sin, so that He might be qualified as a high priest.”

B. (AV)

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

C. (AV)

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

4. TO PUT AWAY SIN

A. (AV)

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

B. (AV)

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

C. (AV)

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

D. (AV)

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

E. “He tasted death for every man and if a person believes in Him, that person will not have to be eternally separated from God.”

5. TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF SATAN

A. (AV)

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

B. (AV)

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

C. Satan’s destiny is settled

1. (AV)

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

2. (AV)

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

3. “If, then, the whole purpose of Christ’s first appearing was to remove sins, and to undo the works of the devil, Christians must not compromise with either sin or the devil, or they will find themselves fighting against Christ.” John Stot>

6. TO BE AN EXAMPLE

A. (AV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

B. (AV)

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

C. (AV)

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

D. “Christ was the only one who was infallible in His teaching and in His character. It was necessary that we should have an illustration of what God wants us to be.”

7. TO PREPARE US FOR THE SECOND COMING

A. (AV)

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. “I was saved from the penalty and guilt of sin the moment I got saved. I am being saved from the power of sin as I yield to the Holy Spirit. I will be saved from the presence of sin when I am with Him.”