Substitution and Identification
Gtcotr/ss101704
Since the foundation of the world no other religion I am currently aware of has held claim that their God had promised and performed a substitutional sacrifice of Himself for their sins.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he revealed truth about why Jesus made this sacrifice:
1 Timothy 2:6 (Jesus), who gave Himself a ransom for all …
This concept of ransom is not just a security deposit, but refers to the price one would pay to redeem a prisoner or slave and set them free from their bondage.
It cost God His Only Son to purchase your salvation.
God paid the price for your sin by substituting His Perfect Son.
Not only did God substitute His Son for your sin, He further accepted you in the place of His dead Son.
It is by Jesus’ death that you are accepted into the family of God as a full family member; a child of God, with full rights of inheritance and access to the Father’s Kingdom wealth and power.
You became God’s representatives in the earth. The ambassador He sends to others so that they might know Him.
It was by this substitution that we came to know God as our Father.
Key Scripture: Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I. Concerning Substitution
A. We live because He loved us and gave Himself for us.
B. His substitution was enough to save us eternally.
C. Hebrews 11:6 says that those who come to God must
1. Believe that He exists
2. Believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him
D. In order to freely accept the salvation paid by Jesus’ sacrifice
1. Believe in your heart that God came in the flesh of His Son Jesus and
2. Express your desire to make Him the Lord of your life.
E. You will be saved Romans 10:9-13 You see:
1. His death paid the ransom price, freed us from sin and made salvation available
2. Whereas, His resurrection gives us life more abundantly
* John 1:12 through His death we get authority to become a child of God for ourselves
* Acts 1:8 through His resurrection we get the ability to represent God to others
II. Substitution and Identification
A. Salvation is a born again experience
1. Salvation is evidence of a new life
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘New Creature’
B. With whom shall this new creature identify themself?
1. Who will be this new creature’s example to follow?
2. Who will be the new role model?
III. Identification ‘With Christ’ (I am crucified with Christ - Identity)
A. Consider several of the bible stories about Jesus’ life on earth, in His representative - ambassador role:
1. John 1:18 says that Jesus came to declare the Father to mankind.
2. John 17 says that Jesus took the things of the Father and showed them to His followers.
B. Some Bible Stories
1. Mark 5
* A man troubled by demons comes running to Jesus, bows at His feet and reveals his torment. Jesus commands the devils to come out of the man and Jesus sets him free, then sends him home with a testimony. --- Next ---
* One of the deacons of a local church comes and asks Jesus over to his house to lay hands on his daughter who is sick near unto death. Jesus says ok. --- Then --- while they are on their way to Jaiurs’ home …
* A woman who has had severe bleeding for 12 years, nothing that the medical profession can do, and it’s getting progressively worse, hears that others have gotten healed through contact with Jesus, comes and presses through the crowd to touch Him. When she does, she touches the heart and power of God. She is immediately healed.
C. Three different stories
1. A man is spiritually troubled and needs deliverance
2. Another man has a daughter who desperately needs prayer
3. A woman has done all she can about her situation and now needs a miracle
Remember, we are talking about our identification.
With whom should we identify once we are saved by Jesus’ death and enabled by His resurrection?
D. Which person in these stories would you normally identify with?
1. The troubled man?
2. The concerned parent?
3. The woman in a desperate situation?
4. Or with Jesus?, earthly representative of His Heavenly Father, an ambassador sent to declare the Kingdom of God?
IV. Jesus said,
A. John 20:21 As the Father has sent me, I also send you.
B. Matthew 10
7 "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
C. John 14:12 He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
D. Mark 16
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
E. 1 John 4:17 As He is, in this world, so are we.
V. Conclusion
A. Jesus did not rebuke the Jews who were sincerely coming to Him for help, with the exception of His disciples.
1. Mark 4:40 when in the storm on the sea, they awakened Jesus and asked for help, He rebuked the storm and then rebuked His disciples by saying, “How is it that you have no faith?”
2. Luke 8:25 the same account, Jesus is recorded asking them why they were so afraid and then asked: “Where is your faith?”
3. Matthew 17:17 Jesus rebuked his disciples by calling them a faithless and perverse generation. He asked them just how long they thought He would be with them, “How long shall I suffer with you?” Then He healed the little boy without complaint.
It is evident that Jesus, although never tiring of praying for and meeting the needs of the multitudes who did not know Him, expected far more from those who did know Him. Especially those who were close to Him. Those who were to take over His earthly ministry.
I believe that Jesus knew He would soon leave the earthly ministry of Kingdom representation to those whom He would redeem through His death and empower through His resurrection.
B. Jesus was our substitution
C. Jesus should be our identification
Identify with the Jesus of the bible.
* He is your example.
* He is your role model.
* Grow to be just like Him.
We can be one who needs or one who meets needs, it’s our choice.
