By Pastor David Lim
Isaiah 53:10
1. God is glorious. He delights in showing His glory throughout the universe
2. Out of His love, God created man with free will. He knew man would sin. Out of His love, God wanted to redeem man
3. Great contradiction : How to redeem man without compromising His glory? To overlook sin is to cheapen His glory and grace.
Bonhoeffer : Grace is free, but it is not cheap
For God so loved the world,
1. He gave His one and only Son
- Not delight in Son's suffering, but in success of upholding his justice & honour & providing salvation for sinners. (Isiah 53:10; Ephesians 5:2)
- Christ, the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world.
a) The Word became flesh!
b) John 12:27-28 - For this purpose I have come to this hour.
2. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish
- Redeem us from Law's curse. Man's works cannot justify. Only True Repentance!
- Redeem us from empty life.
1 Peter 1:18-21 - Full life : purpose, empowering, hope.
- Redeem us from sin's bondage. Forgiveness, freedom based on truth of God's word. Grace is power, not just pardon. Grace enables us not to sin.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
- Redeem us from coming judgment (wrath). We deserve to die. All fall short.
- Redeem the church. Ephesians 1:20 - so she could spread his glory throughout universe.
- Redeem the world. Creation groans & travails in pain. A new heaven and a new earth.
- Redeem us from death. Hebrews 2:14-15 - In resurrection He defeated the powers of death. Result : Philippians 2 - At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow - to the glory of the Father!
3. But have eternal life
- If life has meaning beyond this life, we must know how to reach it.
- If life has meaning now, we need to know what it is.
- If there is right and wrong, and ultimate justice, it must be absolute Right and Justice.
- If there is no hell and only heaven, I would like to believe that.
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