HE SACRIFICED HIS LIFE TO GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE by Willie A. Alvarenga

INTRODUCTION:

1. Thank God for Jesus Christ, His beloved Son! Thanks to Christ we now enjoy the hope of eternal life, that is, those who have obeyed the gospel.
2. Some say there are approximately 170 references to the death of Christ in the NT.
3. 3 Points to our lesson: 1. The nature of Christ’s death, 2. The purpose of His death, and 3. What our attitude should be in view of His death.
4. Let us be doers of God’s Word as we study together (James 1:22; Luke 11:28).

THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S DEATH.

1. It was a very painful death (humiliated, Mtt. 27:28; they spat on His face, Mtt. 26:67; Beat and struck Him, Mtt. 26:67; 27:30; crucified Him (Mtt. 27:31).
2. It was a death according to the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:22-23; 1 Pet 1:18-20).

THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S DEATH.

1. To fulfill OT prophecies (Gen 3:15; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53).
2. To save men from their sins (Matt 20:28; John 1:29; 1 John 2:2; Eph. 1:7).
3. To show God’s love to the world (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
4. To reconcile men back to God (Ephesians 2:13-16).
5. To provide an example of the kind of love we should have towards one another (1 John 3:16).
6. To provide men the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with God in heaven (John 11:25-26; 1 John 5:11; John 14:6).

OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHRIST’S SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS.

1. His death should motivate us to love God more (Mark 12:30).
2. His death should encourage us to work fervently in His kingdom (Phil 1:21).
3. His death should encourage us to live a holy life in Christ (1 Peter 1:13-16).
4. His death should encourage us to share the great news of salvation (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20).

CONCLUSION:

1. Eternal life is in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11).
2. To be in Christ, men should obey the Gospel of Christ, be baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3-4).
3. Plan of salvation according to the New Testament.