The Biblical Understanding Of Death

The Spiritual Understanding Of Death

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 5

Each Christian possesses certain knowledge that most all the world is seeking.

We Christians know "What lies in our future"!

In order to understand this, then we need to understand the truth of "death".

In actuality there is a threefold sense of death!

1) The natural death.

The natural death is actually the separation of the soul from our body of flesh.

The body without the spirit is dead:

Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

2) The spiritual death.

Spiritual death is a soul that has not been "born again" by the Holy Spirit:

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

3) And Eternal death.

Eternal death is an everlasting separation of both soul and body from God throughout eternity.

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 

Let's learn from the Apostle Paul about this thing called life.

*****2Co 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

Paul is referring to what happens when we, that know the Lord Jesus on a personal basis, die a natural death.

Remember Paul is writing to the Church and not to the world!

It is certain that God created us out of the dust of the earth and we live in an earthly vessel, an earthly house.

Well it is just as certain that at death we will live in a building of God, not of earth, but made from heavenly things.

Heavenly things are eternal, so this new body will be an eternal body, a glorified body!

Understand what Paul says, he says God has given us this knowledge so then it is a promise of God that He will certainly keep!

This is not some opinion from some preacher, these are the words of the Holy Spirit!

2Ti 3:16  "All" scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

What did Jesus teach:

Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: "for they shall see God". 

BUT, Your heart cannot be pure until you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit!

These things being true, and they are, then Paul is not speaking of our resurrected body we are to receive when we return with Christ.

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even "so them" also which sleep in Jesus "will God bring with him". 

When we speak of the "Rapture" of the Church, we are most of the time talking about those who are alive and well at the return of Christ.

We should also see here that those that have already experienced a natural death will return with the Lord.

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord "shall not prevent them which are asleep".
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together "with them" in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Remember these are the promises of God and those that refute this resurrection are speaking against the Word of God.

1Co 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
1Co 15:14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1Co 15:15  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 

When we accept the Word of God, then we are not false witnesses!

There is also scriptural proof of this other body!

Rev 6:11  And "white robes" were given "unto every one of them"; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. 

It should be obvious that you cannot place a white robe on a soul, SO, that soul must be within a body.

It is these who are clothed in those white robes who will return with Jesus Christ! (I Timothy 4:14)

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 

You see only Scripture can back up Scripture!

The important thing that we should remember about these things, is that at the very moment of natural death, the believer will be in the arms of God.

Mat 22:32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living". 

God does not give us many details of these things but to accept what He gives us in the Scriptures.

It is a fact that God could cause us to exist without bodies if He chose to do so.

It is also a fact that God can give us a temporary body if He chooses to do so, a heavenly body that is also glorified, as are all heavenly things.

We may call these temporary bodies but since they are eternal they are surely a part of our "Glorified Bodies" as promised of God at the "Rapture of the Church".

How we exist at the time after our death and before Christ returns, is really irrelevant and not part of our faith for salvation to occur, therefore not worth any argument.

We should never argue over details that have nothing to do with salvation but we must also stand on the fact that without Jesus, no one can be saved!

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6  "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus":
Eph 2:7  "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace" in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Who can argue with the Word of God and then say they believe all the Word of God?

How many of us, especially those who are in those old worn out bodies, or those that are riddled with disease, who are not thrilled to know that we will leave these old bodies behind for a brand new body that cannot be corrupted by age or disease or sin or anything else.

In fact we are more like Paul was at this time when he wrote this epistle with the help of the Holy Spirit.

*****2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2Co 5:3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 

These bodies of flesh are really weak and disorderly.
These bodies of flesh get weary and tire easily in our Christian warfare.
These bodies of flesh suffer through illnesses and afflictions.
These bodies of flesh are unable to perform many times "when the soul would still be busy for the Lord".

Mar 14:38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak".

To be honest, the battles we have with our own flesh is the greatest hindrance to each believer!

The soul understands these things, "while the flesh fights temptation to do otherwise".

The soul yearns for that heavenly body but also knows, "that this flesh is his housing until God calls him home"! 

Each soul that belongs to the Lord yearns for immortality!

That soul is already eternal and just does not want to stay in a temporary housing, especially one so easy to corrupt!

But we also see that our soul has no desire to be naked even in Heaven, "we will still have a great desire to be sheltered with the things of God".

And we should also realize that without some sort of body we would not be able to worship the Lord!

The truth is, burdens on our Pastor will sometimes become so heavy that he may groan under the weight of it and he may also experience this yearning to go on home to be with the Lord.

*****2Co 5:4  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 

At some point in our lives, we have all wondered where we came from and what happens after our death.

We can trust in so called scientist who can only guess, as we can ourselves, or we can trust the Word of God which gives us a logical explanation!

The knowledge of life and immortality can only take place through the "Gospel", Jesus Christ Himself the true example!

We saw in Scripture that the Tabernacle, even though it was built to great godly standards, it was still just a tent which is only a temporary housing.

The truth of tents is, they are really for soldiers and pilgrims and God says we are pilgrims on this earth and also soldiers in the army of God!

We also know from Scripture, that the human body was the most perfect of all God's creation.

Psa 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 

But this house is still a house made of earth and still requires a solid foundation to stand, which is not ofthis earth!

Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, "and unto dust shalt thou return".

**First: God gives us the great example of raising children so we can learn the truth.

A babe does not feel safe unless it remains as close as possible to it's parents but once they reach a certain age they will try to distance themselves from their parents.

God knows that this is the way of mankind, God knew it would be difficult to always keep His creation close by His side and He could not gives us more power to live because of this thing as we would only then use that power in more sinful ways.

Gen 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Gen 3:23  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

**Second: When that child has been awaken by the "Gospel" then he or she is made aware of the power of eternal life.

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

**Third: The "Gospel" makes us realize, through the Holy Spirit, that our body is only temporary because we have a permanent dwelling designed by the Lord to preserve us throughout eternity.

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

It may difficult to make those who are young and so full of life to realize these things, but as they grow older and age they will realize this truth if they have been taught while they were young.

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Only a Loving Father can know all these things!

All these things will become burdens that get heavier and heavier over time and they will weigh us down and our soul will groan within us seeking that permanent housing.

Most of us in this class here today are already experiencing these things!

Our groans are a sure sign we are seeking relief!

See the Word of God even explains our moaning and groaning!

We must understand that even without sin, we will experience great burdens in this life. Sin multiplies these things greatly and takes us further away from God.

1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

Notice that even at this stage of burdens, we are well aware that our soul still needs to be housed and not be naked.

This is the pain and suffering that the unbeliever has no answer for, and most all of the lost die in misery!

When do we groan the most?

1) When we realize that not only are we dieing but the entire world is dieing!

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

2) When we suffer because of others!

Exo 6:5  And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 

3) When we need relief but we just do not know what words to use to reach our Father in Heaven!

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

4) We also groan when we have that great desire to be housed in that Heavenly made glorified body! (2Corinthians 5:2)

We have realized that there is a big difference between Heaven and Earth. Earthly things are just all temporary!
Heavenly things a permanent!

AND, There will be no groaning in Heaven!

This why God makes His down payment, with the Holy Spirit, the very moment we become a true believer!

*****2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Co 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
2Co 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Co 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

That word "wrought" means that God is making a continuous effort to make us perfect.

God is like a sculptor of clay who has found a big lump and it just takes some time and effort to smooth things back out!

Isa_64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Until God calls us home, because He has us ready, it is a continuous work on the part of God to mold us and shape us for His use!

What is sad is, that God spent six days to create our world but it takes our life time to makes us perfect.

You see God speaks and things just appear out of nothing but He will never command us to be perfect!

God shapes us with His personal touch, God seeks a personal relationship!

SO, It is very important to walk with the Lord everyday!

We have to forget what we want and yield to what God wants, this is where we see God's patience with us.

All other creatures fit and adapt to their environment, this is why the Evolution Theory even exist, but all creatures produce after their own kind.

The human on the other hand, is always striving for something else in life and in most of us, sin will fill this gap and we think we have reached our goal but we are deceived by sin.

Life for the human being only becomes a riddle that we just cannot solve!

SO, God solves this problem for us!

It was not worth the work that Jesus Christ did for each of us, "if there was nothing else to life but just a few years!

To guarantee the results of what God has taught us, God gives us the earnest of the Holy Spirit!

You see the Holy Spirit can never die!

So God guarantees our immortality by living within each believer!

AGAIN, These are not idle fables, Paul said he already knew he had a house in Heaven and he was not talking about some building, he was talking about a living, glorified, housing for the soul, still able to worship the Creator and be available and able to be obedient to the Lord.

Obedience is the greatest form of worship!

God has fashioned each believer to undergo an immortal change!

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

Each believer becomes a new creature.
Each believer becomes a new man.
Each believer partakes of the divine nature of God Himself.

The Holy Spirit is that pledge that these things are true.
The Holy Spirit shares His knowledge of the truth.
The Holy Spirit gives us confidence in the truth.
The Holy Spirit gives us courage to face the things in this life.
The Holy Spirit teaches us that we may be absent from the Lord today but there will come a time when we will be with Him.

For we walk by "faith" and "not by sight"!

AND, We do not have to trample down our human instincts and yearnings in order to be spiritual!

AND, We certainly do not have to shrink away from death!

It is a fact, that this life we live now will just move on into immortality so that it is not two lives we will live but it is one continuous everlasting life!

We do not live to just die, we live to just move on into immortality!

We will never know death!

It is God's own breath, the Holy Spirit, that allows us to know these truths!

Wherefore we must be ambitious in our faith!

*****2Co 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The one lesson of "judgment" we need to grasp is, that we need to be ambitious in our effort to please our Savior!

Notice Paul includes all the Church, and all the Apostles, including himself and all those that preach the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

By speaking to the Church then these are the things that are done "after salvation" for we already know that no amount of works can please God in trying to obtain salvation!

We have already been judged for salvation!

Rom 5:1  Therefore being "justified by faith", we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

But we will also come face to face with God at the "Judgment Seat Of Christ"!

This judgment is only for believers and no unbeliever will be present at this time!

These are the things "Good" and "Bad" that we have done since joining the family of God.

1) This judgment is certain to take place: "for we must all(all the body of Christ) appear".

2) It is Christ Jesus who will be the judge and He will judge according to the "Gospel"!

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 

It is at this judgment that we will find out why God has done the things that He did!

3) Since we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, we will be judged for the things we did while we were in that human body.

**We cannot be judged again for sin, for all our sin before and after salvation has already been forgiven. "Jesus Christ has already paid the price for all sin"!

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

**At the time of this "judgment" we will already be wearing that beautiful glorified body and we will already have the mind of Christ!

We will certainly understand what is going on!

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

**We will be judged for how we were obedient to the work of the Lord after we got saved.

Isa 52:10  The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 

4) It is at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" where Jesus Himself will determine if we deserve any reward and the degree of that reward. (Good=Gain; Bad=Loss.)

No doubt many of us will be ashamed when we face Jesus!

1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Knowing these things then our job that we are to be doing, is the ministry of reconciliation.

*****2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The "Gospel" teaches us the great benefits of the believer but it also teaches us the ending for the unbeliever.

God knew we need to see both sides of His reasoning!

That word "terror" means a "terrible fear" but it also means "reverence" or "standing in awe" of the Lord.

We will all, stand in awe of the Lord one day but only those who have rejected the plea of the Lord will then see the terror of the Lord!

God instills these things in everyone who ministers the "Gospel" because we need to know the complete truth!

The truth is, that love of God includes His "terror" to those who reject His Son Christ Jesus!

Paul said he was compelled to preach the "Gospel" because he knew of this fear.
Paul will go on to say that every Pastor must have a genuine heart.
Paul will teach that every Pastor should know the needs of the people.
Paul will teach that he was compelled to preach because of the "Love of God" in all things.

The purpose of every man called to be a Pastor, is to persuade the lost to see the truth of the "Gospel"!

The purpose of every Pastor is to show, "that everyone on the face of this earth is in desperate need of the Savior"!

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

There were those in the day of Paul and I believe there are many more today, who refuse to preach the whole truth of the "Gospel".

*****2Co 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 

Only those who have a genuine heart for the truth of God will be compelled to preach the whole counsel of God.

Many so-called Pastors come into the Church today with great letters of recommendation. Great letters of education from great schools of theology but if they do not have a genuine love for the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ and for all God's created people, then they can never be sincere and it will show in their message.

Every church that has any controversy within it's walls needs to deal with it as quickly as possible, in order to get back to the importance of the "Gospel". This is even more important today!

Even many great theologians have forgotten the importance of the "Gospel"!

Time is actually running out for those who reject the Word of God, "but especially" for those who have never heard the "Gospel"!

What did Jesus say of such men?

Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men'sbones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 

We all have our place but the importance of the "Gospel" must remain all our priority!

There is only one cause!

*****2Co 5:13  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

It is the glory of God and the needs of the lost that should compel each of us but for those specifically called of God this thought must be embedded within them!

At one time the Apostle Paul was considered insane just because just because he felt this great need to reach out to the lost.

Act 26:24  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Act 26:25  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

This world of today wants to silence all our true Pastors because of this same message!

Paul said he may be a fool but he was a fool for the sake of God:

1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul said he may be a fool but he was a fool for the sake of the lost:

1Co 9:22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

What is the greatest truth of the "Gospel"?

God would have never come to this earth and poured Himself into a human body just to die in payment for our sins "if we were not all sinners".

There are no perfect human beings!

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

We are fools to think other wise. Had there been some other way or some way by man's own power, the Messiah would never had to die on that cross!

It is this love of God that compelled the Apostle Paul and every true minister of God!

Jesus Christ is the greatest teacher of God's doctrine!
Jesus Christ is the greatest example of how to live a sin-free life!
Jesus Christ is that solid foundation of the Church!

But Paul said it was the great love of Jesus Christ for us all, that compelled him in the ministry!

All mankind died that day on that cross. Jesus died the only death that could reconcile us all back to God!

We should not be fooled this is not teaching universal salvation!

Jesus died so that we should live for Him, "all" who are redeemed by "faith" in this work that the Lord Jesus Christ came to accomplish.

When we believe that Jesus Christ died so that we can live, then that faith counts as our own death and we are reconciled to God!

The Lord Jesus Christ did not die so that we can live to ourselves, "as this defeats the purpose of His death"!

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

Jesus Christ not only died for us but He also arose for us!

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Wherefore (for these reasons)

*****2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Since we have obtained this life from the dead through His name, then it seems that we have a duty to spend our new life for His honor!

We know that Jesus Christ walked on this earth in human form and was seen by many individuals and even the government of that day.

But these things are pale in recognition when compared to the glory of a new creation by the Holy Spirit.

We are never to lose sight of this higher life promised to all who believe and are alive with Christ in the new life of His resurrection!

Christ has already entered in to His new heavenly life by His resurrection and His ascension and even though we have yet ascended, we have already entered into our heavenly life, we will not see death!

We will close our eyes one day on this earth and open them in Heaven, forever to be with our Lord!

Death is not in our future!

Where as our "old man" was doomed to "judgment" and to be eternally separated from God, our "New Man" is destined to live eternally in the presence of God!

How does this happen? (If any man be in Christ). Many make it hard but salvation only requires our faith!

Old things are passed away and all things become new!

We are alive in Christ when we walk in Christ everyday that remains in this life!

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 

What is reconciliation?

*****2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 

The message of the "Gospel" is a message of reconciliation!

We are reconciled when we are "restored" to a personal relationship with God our Creator!

If we can just imagine, whatsoever the Christian can desire is in that phrase "all things".

With one plan of salvation that could not fail, with one price that was more than enough, all mankind are given the possibility of being reconciled with God!

From enemy to friendship, from lost to family, from those who were separated, to those who should have been together from the beginning of time!

By the Lord Jesus Christ, God has removed that wall of sin that was once between us!

Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

When we sin we are working against God and are actually promoting evil.

So many cannot understand the supreme love of God, who does not live for Himself!

God lives for His created beings!

God gave Himself up by sending His Son to die for us!

The wages of sin are death and it takes a fool to believe that a man who is already dead can do anything to save himself from death!

As sinners, we oppose everything that God stands for, but while we were opposing our righteous God, He executed His plan of salvation while we were still His enemies!

**God is the first person in His plan, so in order to be reconciled we must come to God, in order to change our lives!

God alone has that power!

Only God can give a new birth!

Only God can make a New Creature out of a sinful creature!

No man possesses the power to make this change themselves!

Man cannot "buy" reconciliation because he must "receive" the reconciliation that God has offered freely.

**Jesus Christ is the second person involved in reconciliation.

God has made this thing so simple that all we have to do is "to believe" that Jesus Christ died so that we can be reconciled back to God.

God accepts the death of Christ for the death of all mankind.
God accepts that Jesus bore all our sins to remove the death sentence from mankind.
God accepts the condemnation borne by Christ as the condemnation due to mankind.

All believers are free from sin, so therefore free from the punishment for sin which was death, and eternal separation from God.

Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 

**It is at this time that the third person, the Holy Spirit, moves into that sinner and seals the deal, to seal His newcovenant with us!

**God then provided those specific called men of God by committing the ministry of reconciliation to them.

*****2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

We are all to carry the message of the "Gospel" to this lost world but that Pastor, that Missionary, that Evangelist has been given the title of "Ambassador" for Christ.

These are the men God sends specifically.

These men belong to the One who sent them!
These men exist only for the purpose of the One who sent them.
These men possess the authority and the power of the One who sent them.
These men are sent with the message of the One who sent them, word for word!

Their message is to be "be ye reconciled to God".

Those that have some other message, were not sent of God!

Paul wrote:

1Ti 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 

Paul was speaking of the ministry of reconciliation.

Paul was speaking in the name of Jesus Christ!

*****2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

Jesus Christ was absolutely sinless so we can see that "the message of reconciliation" is actually a message of "substitution"!

Jesus Christ was absolutely unstained by sin!

God did not make Christ to be a sinner, "Christ was sent to be identified with mankind"!

Isa 53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Jesus Christ came to this earth to live a sinless and perfect life, because no one born of Adam could do this thing!

Remember it is not in God's power to be unrighteous!

It is also not in God's power to be unjust!

Christ never broke God's Laws.
Christ never went contrary to the will of God.
Jesus Christ stood before God as the perfect ideal man, the exact pattern of what God had intended all mankind to be!

Jesus Christ was the only "substitute" that could take our place in our own payment for our own sin. and this was absolutely necessary for our own reconciliation.

God loves His Son so much that He will honor anyone who honors His Son!

We can see that salvation is really very simple when we understand the plan of God!

All it requires is our "Faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let's Pray!