Jesus Christ Our Mediator

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ ” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.

When I hear this word “mediator” I think of Moses and the role that he often played between Israel and God. Over and over again the Israelites would sin, God would decide to punish them, and Moses would pray and intervene on their behalf.

That is what a mediator does.

That is what Christ does with us.

Moses in mediating between Israel and God gives us an OT picture of Christ mediating on behalf of sinners.

Between the sinner and God stands a chasm. Christ, through His death, burial, and resurrection, bridges that gap.

As we seek to know Jesus Christ and remember Him this morning, we will know Him as mediator.

Because Christ is our mediator, reconciliation with the Father is possible.

In this passage we learn three reasons why Jesus Christ is a perfect mediator.

As we understand our mediator, we will be challenged to tell others of Him.

Reason #1. Jesus Christ is a perfect mediator because he has…

1. The Heart Of A Mediator vv. 3-4

READ v. 3

This chapter begins with Paul telling Timothy to pray for all men and for those in authority.

We pick up Paul’s letter where he is telling Timothy why we should pray like that.

We pray for all men is because it pleases God. Why does it please God? We get a full answer in v. 4. But but there is a partial answer in Paul’s declaration of God as our Savior.

God is pleased when we pray for all men because He is the Savior.

This is the heart of a mediator. A mediator rejoices when there is care and concern for others.

Our savior rejoices when we pray for the lost and pray for our leaders. He rejoices because of what v. 4 reveals.

READ v. 4

puts it a little differently (S).

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance!

God’s desire is for all of mankind to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. What truth?

To answer that question in context we go back to 1:15-16.

1 Timothy 1:15–16 NKJV

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (v. 15)! How? By believing in Him (v. 16).

Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life ().

God takes pleasure in our prayers for the lost and for our leaders because He desires all to be saved.

This is the heart of a true mediator.

A true mediator desire the reconciliation of all parties involved.

A mediator is not partial, the desire is for all to be reconciled.

We are told here that this is the attitude of Christ. As our mediator He has a heart for the lost.

“His Robes For Mine” (verse 1)

Jesus Christ has a desire for all to be reconciled. Because of this desire, our Savior takes on the position of a mediator. This is reason #2. Jesus is a perfect mediator because he has…

2. The Position Of A Mediator v. 5

READ v. 5

There is one mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ. Notice very carefully what this says. One mediator. Not two, not three, not four or five; one mediator.

Mediator – μεσίτης (mesitēs) mediator. A negotiator who acts as a link between parties; sometimes specifically selected.

Mediator – μεσίτης (mesitēs)

A mediator is an arbitrator, it is someone who reconciles opposing parties.

This is someone who intervenes between two in order to make or restore peace and friendship.

This is someone who intervenes between two in order to make or restore peace and friendship. Christ is called a mediator because He interposed by His death and restored the harmony between God and man which human sin had broken. tells us that peace between God and man was accomplished by the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross! Jesus Christ is our mediator; He stands in the gap between us and God and reconciles us.

Christ is called a mediator because He, by His death and resurrection, stepped into the gap and restored the harmony between God and man which human sin had broken.

Turn to (p. 1353).

tells us that peace between God and man was accomplished by the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross! Jesus Christ is our mediator; He stands in the gap between us and God and reconciles us.

(p. 1353)

Colossians 1:19–23 NKJV

For 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. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

This is such a powerful passage of Scripture.

Christ, as fully God and fully man, has reconciled the alienated, the enemies, those wicked in thought and practice; our kind of people! In Christ us sinful, wretched, people are reconciled! We are made holy, blameless, and above reproach in the sight of God! That is our position. Paul exhorts us to match that position with our practice in the end of the verse.

Peace between God and man was accomplished by the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross! Jesus Christ is our mediator; He stands in the gap between us and God and reconciles us.

Job endure more suffering and trials than almost anyone ever. Part of his lament was that there was no one to go between him and God. In he says the following (S).

Job 9:33 NKJV

Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.

Jesus Christ is the answer to Job’s plea! He is our mediator.

This is a picture that most of us have probably seen (S).

Sin separates man from God! Our mediator, Jesus Christ, bridges that gap through the blood of the Cross (S)!

He makes reconciliation with God possible! He stands in the gap and provides the way of salvation. He is the only mediator between God and man.

That means that Mary is not a mediator, she is simply a mother. There is nothing and no one else that can make you right with God. Muhammad can’t do it, Buddha can’t do it, Joseph Smith can’t do it, Charles Russell can’t do it. No amount of good works or religion will get us there (S).

Jesus Christ is the only one who can bring reconciliation to God (S), and He can do so because He is the man Christ Jesus.

He came to this earth and lived a perfect sinless life so that He could be a fitting sacrifice for our sin.

He is only able to fulfill this role because He is Jesus Christ the righteous, as we talked about last month! If He were not righteous, He couldn’t be our mediator.

A true mediator stands between offenders and offended to facilitate reconciliation.

Christ is standing between us and God making a way for us to have a relationship with Him.

Christ has taken up the position of mediator and there is no other name, under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved ().

“His Robes For Mine” (verse 2)

Christ has the heart of a mediator, He has taken up position as our mediator. He is able to do this because He meets the requirement of a mediator. This is reason #3. Jesus Christ is a perfect mediator because he has met…

3. The Requirement Of A Mediator vv. 6-7

Jesus Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Ransom – ἀντίλυτρον (antilytron) ransom (payment). What is given in exchange (as payment) for the release of someone held captive.

Ransom – ἀντίλυτρον (antilytron)

Every single one of us was once held captive by sin. Jesus Christ paid the price to purchase us out of that captivity. He paid the ransom price and purchased our freedom!

declares that we are now set free from sin. We are no longer slaves to sin. When we sin as believers in Jesus Christ it is like a released prisoner voluntarily walking back into their old cell (S).

We have been set free, we must stop putting ourselves back in prison!

The death and resurrection of Christ paid for sin and made salvation possible. Does this mean that all men will be saved or that all men are saved? No. It simply means that God’s desire is for all to be saved, and though He knows who will be saved, He has left the decision up to each individual.

What do we deserve as the penalty for our sin? Death! But what did Christ do? Turn to (p. 1392).

(p. 1392)

1 Peter 2:21–25 NKJV

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who 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. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We have already talked about it this morning, so tell me. What do we deserve as the penalty for our sin? Death! But what did Christ do? Christ bore our sins in His own body on the Cross! He paid our penalty, the price for our sins was death and He willingly paid it so that, in His own words, we “might have life and have it more abundantly.” He is our ransom! His death is the price that was paid for our redemption, for our pardon, for our freedom! And His death is accepted because He is the righteous one! As the spotless Lamb of God Jesus Christ is the only one qualified to be our ransom. Now I love where Paul goes with this in verse 7. Paul says because of what Christ has done, I have been called to tell others about Him! Paul says “Timothy here is what Christ has done for us, and because of what Christ has done; that is why we preach, that is why we minister Timothy, that is why we serve!” Friends the same thing is true for us! Because of what Christ has done we are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to ever creature! God has placed us right here at Grace Church of Lockeford. He has called us to reach this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ! How are we doing? Jesus Christ as our ransom paid the penalty for our sin. Not so we can be fat and happy with our fire insurance, sit here and twiddle our thumbs till He returns! He purchased us with His blood and He has commissioned us to tell the World about the free gift of salvation purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ! If we are not doing that then we are failing as a church! Because Jesus Christ didn’t just die for us, He died for the whole world. He is our mediator, He is our Ransom.

Christ bore our sins in His own body on the Cross! He paid our penalty, the price for our sins was death and He willingly paid it so that, in His own words, we “might have life and have it more abundantly.”

He is our ransom! His death is the price that was paid for our redemption, for our pardon, for our freedom!

He met the requirement of a mediator by doing whatever was necessary to reconcile God and man.

A true mediator discovers the necessary payment for reconciliation to be possible.

The payment required was the blood of Jesus. His death is accepted because He is the righteous one! As the spotless Lamb of God Jesus Christ is the only one qualified to be our ransom.

His death is accepted because He is the righteous one! As the spotless Lamb of God Jesus Christ is the only one qualified to be our ransom.

Now I love where Paul goes with this in verse 7.

READ v. 7

Paul says because of what Christ has done, I have been called to tell others about Him! Paul says “Timothy here is what Christ has done for us, and because of what Christ has done; that is why we preach, that is why we minister Timothy, that is why we serve!”

Preacher – κῆρυξ (kēryx) herald; proclaimer. A person who proclaims important news publicly; especially the news proceeding from God concerning the way of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Friends the same thing is true for us! Because of what Christ has done we are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to ever creature!

Preacher – κῆρυξ (kēryx)

We have been called to proclaim Christ. To teach of Him in faith and truth. Because of what Christ has done we are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature!

God has placed us right here at Grace Church of Lockeford. He has called us to reach this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ! How are we doing?

Jesus Christ as our ransom paid the penalty for our sin. Not so we can be fat and happy with our fire insurance, sit here and twiddle our thumbs till He returns!

He purchased us with His blood and He has commissioned us to tell the World about the free gift of salvation purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ didn’t just die for us, He died for the whole world.

Preacher – κῆρυξ (kēryx) herald; proclaimer. Preacher ⇔ herald n. — a person who proclaims important news publicly; especially the news proceeding from God concerning the way of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Noun, predicate nominative, singular, masculine.

A true mediator discovers the necessary payment for reconciliation to be possible.

“His Robes For Mine” (verse 3)

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #203 “And Can It Be” (chorus)

Amazing love how can it be That Thou my God shouldst die for me

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #190 “Are You Washed In The Blood” (chorus)

Are you washed in the blood In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb Are your garments spotless are they white as snow Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is our mediator.

He died on the Cross, shedding His blood that we might be reconciled to God.

He is the one and only mediator between God and man.

His perfect sacrifice has reconciled us to God.

Jesus Christ has purchased us out of sin and set us apart for His use.

He has called us to proclaim the good news of salvation by faith in His death burial and resurrection.

Because Christ is our mediator we have access to God. Use it.

Because Christ is our mediator we proclaim Him. Do it.

Because Christ is our mediator we have been set free from sin. Live it.

“His Robes For Mine” (verse 4)

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

1 Timothy 2:1–7 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #210 “Jesus Paid It All” (chorus)Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snowThe Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #189 “Calvary Covers It All” (chorus)Calvary covers it all My past with its sin and stain My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there And Calvary covers it all

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