Meaning of the Death of Christ

 

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The Meaning of the Death of Christ 

Do you fear death?

Hebrews 2.14–18

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • January 26, In the year of our Lord, 2014

 

Prelude: 

  1. Do you fear death? 
    1. If so, are you a Christian?
    2. I want to show you,
      1. that if you are a Christian,
      2. you do not have to fear death.
  2. I want to show you from Hebrews 2, 
    1. somethings that we should think about now
    2. before death approaches us.
      1. It is better to think properly now
      2. rather than trying to do it
        1. as you contemplate death when it comes upon you suddenly.
        2. I do not mean to dismiss with a cavalier attitude
          1. the things about death that frighten us, but
          2. I want to show you what should rule your mind.

Persuasion: 

  1. Hebrews 2.14 – Jesus Made the Devil Inoperative

    14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil… (Heb 2.14).

    1. He shared in flesh and blood with us.
      1. Seeking to gain us (verses 10–13):
        1. To bring us to glory,
          1. He became our captain, and
          2. suffered.
        2. We are one with Him, and
        3. so He is not ashamed to call us brethren.
        4. He joins our assembly to sing praise to God.
        5. He acknowledges us as children whom God has given Him.
      2. To do this He went from riches to rags (2Co 8.9).
    2. By death Jesus destroyed Satan’s grip.

      8b For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1Jo 3.8b).

    3. Satan uses the power of death.
      1. The unknown makes us fear.
      2. Everyone must meet death, but its power frightens us.
        1. Jesus understands.
        2. He has been there.
        3. He created it.
    4. Jesus took control of death.

      18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev 1.18).

      1. He led the way for us.
      2. He shows that we can conquer death.

        20 …the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb 6.20).

  2. Hebrews 2.15 – Jesus Delivered Us from the Fear of Death

    15 …and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb 2.15).

    1. Our fear of death.
      1. Job 18.14 alludes to death as “the king of terrors.”
      2. Some people refuse to attend funerals.
      3. The fear of death places us in a lifetime of bondage.
      4. The fear of death becomes the master in our thinking.
    2. Jesus delivers from this fear.
      1. He is the Beginning and the Resurrection.
      2. Philippians 3 shows a magnificent promise,
        1. that we should keep before our eyes,
        2. especially when death looks us in the eye,

          20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Phi 3.20–21).

          1. Our citizenship above makes us foreigners here.
          2. Jesus will return from heaven, and then
            1. He will transform our bodies
            2. to be like His glorious body.
          3. How do we know that He can or will keep this promise?
            1. He will do it by the working
            2. that He uses to subdue all things to Himself.
              1. That means death submits to Him.
              2. That means decay submits to Him.
              3. That means glory submits to Him.
              4. That means transformation submits to Him.
  3. Hebrews 2.16 – Jesus Helps Us

    16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham (Heb 2.16).

    1. Jesus did not die for angels,
      1. although angels are greater than us (vv. 6–7).
      2. They receive irrevocable condemnation when they sin (2Pe 2.4; Jude 6).
    2. Instead, Jesus aids the seed of Abraham.
      1. Who is Abraham’s seed?

        29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3.29).

      2. How then do I become Abraham’s seed?

        28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3.28).

        1. Fleshly history does not determine it.
        2. Social standing does not determine it.
        3. Gender does not determine it.
          1. The determining factor:
          2. You have to be in Christ Jesus.
            1. How do I get into Christ Jesus?
            2. How do I become His?
              1. I will show you at the end of this message.
              2. Remember,
                1. if you want help through the gate of death,
                2. you have to be in Christ.
  4. Hebrews 2.17 – Jesus Made Propitiation for Our Sins

    17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Heb 2.17).

    1. To help the seed of Abraham,
      1. Jesus had to be like the seed of Abraham.
      2. That enables Jesus to function as a High Priest.
        1. He shares in deity.
        2. He shares in humanity.
    2. The High Priest makes propitiation for the sins of the people.
      1. What is propitiation?
      2. Continue with me, and it will become obvious.
    3. He not only made the propitiation,
      1. He Himself is the propitiation.
      2. He offered His body,
        1. not that of an animal, nor
        2. did He offer another person.
          1. Even as animals died violently during the levitical priesthood,
          2. so He died violently.
            1. By His blood,
            2. He made the propitiation,

              25 God set forth as a propitiation by His blood… (Rom 3.25).

              2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1Jo 2.2).

              10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1Jo 4.10).

    4. Who would have argued with Him,
      1. if He had offered an animal?
      2. if He had offered another person?
        1. For Him to offer Himself through violence,
        2. is a sacrifice that we cannot describe.
  5. Hebrews 2.18 – Jesus Aids Us During Temptation

    18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted (Heb 2.18).

    1. He does not just save us
      1. at the first and then
      2. at the end.
        1. While we struggle now with temptation,
        2. including the temptation to fear death,
          1. He aids us.
          2. Focus on His experience.
    2. This is the aid of verse 16,

      16 He does give aid to the seed of Abraham (Heb 2.16).

    3. This is the mercy of verse 17,

      17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb 2.17).

Exhortation: 

  1. Do you want Jesus to destroy the devil’s use of death against you? 
    1. Do you want to be free from the bondage of the fear of death?
    2. Do you want to be Abraham’s seed that Jesus might give you aid?
    3. Do you want propitiation for your sins?
    4. Do you want aid during temptation that you might not give in to it?
  2. You have to be Abraham’s seed. 
    1. Who is Abraham’s seed?

      29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3.29).

    2. How then do you become Abraham’s seed?

      28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3.28).

      1. Fleshly history does not determine it.
      2. Social standing does not determine it.
      3. Gender does not determine it.
        1. The determining factor:
        2. You have to be in Christ Jesus.
          1. How do I get into Christ Jesus?
          2. How do I become His?
    3. We continue to back up in the text,

      26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3.26–27).

      1. What does that passage say on how to become a son or daughter of God?
      2. What does that passage say on how to get in Christ?
      3. What does that passage say on how to put on Christ?
    4. Come forward now and do it!