1. Introduction
Every building must be established on a sound foundation e.g. Christchurch earthquake.
Our relationship with God has foundations upon which it is established and maintained.
Eph.1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace.”
We need to discover what the Blood of Jesus has accomplished for us – and also how we are to apply it to our lives to walk in the grace and favour of God.
2. God Established Consequences for Sin
a) The One who creates makes the rules
Jn 1:1-3 “All things were made through Him …. and in Him was life.”
The one who designs/creates something establishes how it will work/function.
If you don’t know the purpose something designed for you will abuse it.
God created the physical world and also the laws that govern how it operates.
You can’t make or break the laws only work with them or against them.
God also created laws that govern His relationship with people.
b) God established the Consequences of Sin
Gen.2:15-17
God gave man freedom, responsibility, boundaries and consequences.
God gave man free will to choose how he will govern his life and relationships.
God also established the consequences of sin “You shall die”.
This is a spiritual law “the law of sin and death”.
You are free to choose what you will do but not the consequences.
e.g. if you jump of tall building – no power over consequences – law of gravity.
Definition of Sin: Sin is violating the laws of God(1 Jn3:4).
Sin is choosing to live independent of our creator and live for selfish advantage.
c) The consequences of Sin
Consequences of breaking God’s laws are as inevitable as night follows day.
You cannot avoid the consequences.
You may try to deny, blame, redefine sin, ignore, explain reality experience.
(i) Separation from God – loss of connection, spiritual emptiness Rom.6:23.
(ii) Judgement from God – experience a penalty ct Mt.25:41/Mk.9:44.
(iii) Reaping consequences in personal life, family, relationships Gal.6:8.
(iv) Legal authority is established for evil spirits to access your life.
Eph.2:2/Lk.4:5-6.
None of us are exempt from this spiritual problem of sin.
Rom.3:23 “For all have sinned…”
Rom. 5:12 “Death has spread to all men..”
We must find a remedy for sin and its consequences – What?
We must return from cursing to blessing and favour of God – How?
3. God Also Established the Remedy for Sin
a) What can I do to resolve the problem of sin?
Religion = man’s efforts to try to improve his life and gain access to God.
= favour with God is thought to be determined by my works.
Serving, good works, charitable acts, prayers, attempts to improve self.
What must I do to be good enough? How much is enough?
What must I do to redeem myself? Ps.49:7 1 Gal.2:16.
b) God has established a law a basis for dealing with sin
The process of addressing the issue of sin is called redemption.
Redemption =3083= a ransom
= price paid to liberate a captive or prisoner, someone in power of another.
= to regain possession by paying the full recovery price.
= to buy back, ransom – e.g. redeem mortgage e.g. Somali pirates.
Atonement =2643= exchange that restores divine favour
= to resolve a difference, to exchange money for something of equivalent value.
= the condition of being “at one” – reconciled.
c) God requires the shedding of blood
Lev.17:11
There are two aspects to this (i) Blood must be shed (ii) Blood must be applied.
Exod.12:22-23 “Strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood”.
God set up a temporary process where the blood of animals was shed.
d) Only the Blood of Jesus can Redeem Us
Blood of a child is determined and contributed to by the male chromosomes not female.
Mother’s blood never mingles with the blood of her child.
Lk1:35 Mary was impregnated with male chromosome – came from God.
Blood of Jesus was never contaminated by Adam’s sin/blood.
Blood of Jesus was pure.
1 Pet.1:17-18 Redeemed – with the precious blood of Christ.
Eph.1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood.
Rom.3:23-25 God has set forth as a mercy seat through faith in His blood.
Rev.5:9 …and have redeemed us to God by your blood …
Col.2:14-15 Paid the full price – obtained redemption for all.
Removed the sin list.
Disarmed spiritual powers = took away their weapon.
Gal. 3:13-14 Redeemed us from the curse of the law – blessing and favour.
We must choose God’s way to deal with sin – applying Blood of Christ.