Today is the day I have been both looking forward to and dreading. This topic is so big yet so glorious and it reveals every single insecurity I have about being completely unfit to write on it. Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of the world. This is an easy statement to write; easy to read incredibly hard to understand. Our study began as a foundation for this pivotal point. We must understand Genesis 1-3 to help with Roman's 5. Adam must be a historical figure for Christ and His work to make absolute sense. How can I say that? Well we read because of one man's sin death entered; and it is now through one man's death sin is covered.
I am adding a photo chart today showing Adam and Christ. Study it for a minute then jump back in.
This comparison chart is simply put: beautiful. It shows the first Adam and the Last. The difference of one man verses the Son of Man. Adam was made in the image of God; Jesus Christ is the image of the invincible God, the firstborn of all creation. Full man yet fully God.
As we read Romans 5 many would object; it is not fair that one man's sin would condemn us all. But to understand the imputation of our sins on Christ we must recognize the imputation of Adam's sin on man. R.C.Sproul in his book, The Gospel of God, says that we must be careful not to take away our merit of salvation by refuting the fact that through one man sin entered; because now through Christ all sin is covered. Adam was our representative as mankind, and he sinned. Christ comes and serves yet again as the perfect representative of man, taking on the sin of man and bearing it on the cross. There is a message that I am adding at the bottom- please listen. It is by R.C. Sproul and it explains this a million times better than I can.
Why did I bring us here before Passion week? What was the point of understanding the first and last Adam? Because we need to know who Jesus Christ is. We need to understand that He IS the Son of God. That He is God. That we cannot, on our own merit, earn our salavation. We will never be good enough. We can never do enough works. We can never arrive at the place of perfection. Salvation is a free gift of God! He sent His Son while we were yet sinners; died a death on the Cross; was the perfect propitiation. Jesus Christ. He came that He might die.
In closing, I recommended Colossians 1 and 2 to be tied into this because of some of the deep, deep truths of a life in Christ. My prayer for this group is constantly Colossians 1:9-14. And my hope for this group is that finding yourself in Christ, that we are able to be rooted and grounded in Him. Colossians 2:6-7 is the exact hope and prayer I have.
Later in the chapter Paul writes, and you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
He nailed it to the cross via Jesus the Messiah. Jesus died to take away our sins. The Son of God; crucified. We are at one of the most unique points of a Lenten study our generation has maybe seen. Global pandemic and fear race through the world; and we have had most things stripped away. But the one thing that can never be taken, is Christ. Use this time- this time you will never get back; to really pause and allow yourself to meditate on the work of the Cross. On the fact that the Son of God died to take away your sins. That while you were yet a sinner Jesus died for you! This is remarkable. He came, He died, and He rose again. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World! May you fall ever more in love with Jesus today.
Sermon: Death in Adam, Life in Christ
Worship: Lamb of God
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