Text: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
Catechism Question 37: What do you understand by the word “suffered”?
Answer: That during His whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. This He did in order that, by His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
Intro: Jesus & suffering
…His whole life…
I. God’s wrath
Holiness & wrath
Love & wrath
II. Christ sustained
Not hardship or discipline, but satisfaction.
III. Result
Deliver from…
Gain for us…
IV. The recipients
Sin & sacrifice
Arminian:
Reformed:
Where to place the limitation? Romans 8:34; John 10:15; Hebrews 7:23-28
Reality #1:
Reality #2:
“I have taken all my good deeds and all my bad deeds, and cast them through each other in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him I have sweet peace.” --David Dickson
Reality #3:
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.