The Greatest: Week 3
Romans 5:6-8-6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
How Great the Sacrifice Was & Is
- We have all fallen short
- God can’t just dismiss sin
- The depths of our sin, and the depths of God’s love that covers that sin.
Matthew 26:38-39 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
- The Cup of Wrath
- Jerry Bridges Quote
- A life of suffering and Sacrifice- (Philippians 2:6-8)
- The Joy that was to come (Hebrews 12:2)
How the sacrifice works
- Scapegoat & Lamb
- God has an actual system
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)- 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be [j]sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- As far as the east is to the west (Psalms 103:12)
- Tramples under foot never to remember again (Micah 7:19)
Do we believe that nothing, not even our own sin- can separate us from God’s love? This doesn’t mean God winks at our sin like the proverbial indulgent grandfather. Rather it means that he has forgiven our sins because of the atoning sacrifice of his son. God proved his love to us by sending Christ to suffer in our place. Therefore, to doubt his love because of our sin is an affront to him. It says in effect that merit of Christ death is not sufficient to cover the demerit of our sin. What an insult to God!
“Jerry Bridges”
How will we respond
Romans 12:1-2 -And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
- Because of what Christ has done we are to live a life of sacrifice
- This is what Jesus calls the abundant life
- His sacrifice leads to a changed life- from the inside out
- 3 ways to respond (Revelation 3:15-16)
Close
- How is God working in you right now?
- Do you need to visit the depths of your sin?
- Do you need to visit the depths of God’s love and what he did for you?
- Are you insulting God by saying his son isn’t enough?
- Are you calling sin – sin, or are you living your life like sin is no big deal?
- How are you going to respond? A life of living sacrifice, the abundant life?
- Do you need to call out to Jesus and ask him into your life?
QUESTIONS FOR LIFE GROUP OR PERSONAL REFLECTION
Opening Questions:
- What’s one of the most difficult things you’ve ever had to do?
- Have you ever had to make a sacrifice for something or someone? What was it?
Main Point: God sacrificed for us, and He expects us to have a sacrificial love for Him and others.
Primary Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19 – (Abraham and Isaac)
Questions:
- Why do you think God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son?
- What does Abraham’s obedience tell you about his faith?
- Abraham loved his son Isaac more than anything. What has the potential to be first in your life instead of God?
- What does sacrificial love look like practically today?
- Is there anything in your life right now that God is asking you to sacrifice or give up in order to put Him first?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show someone sacrificial love?
Additional Scripture to Consider:
- Romans 5:6-8
- Hebrews 10:10
- Colossians 3:12-14
- 1 John 4:10-11