DID CHRIST DIE IN VAIN?
Introduction:
1. Contrast the deaths on the highways with the death of a policeman.
1. Most people justify the death of a policeman who dies in the line
of duty.
2. Everyone recognizes a traffic fatality as a death in vain.
B. Almost 2000 yrs ago, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God died outside the
walls of the Jewish city of Jerusalem.
1. In scripture there are prophecies and eyewitness accounts of His
death.
2. Consider the question: "Did Christ Die in Vain?"
I. IF the O.T.law is still binding today, then Christ died in vain
A. Many have insisted through the years that Christians are under the
Old Testament law.
1. In the 1st century, the Judaizers taught that Christians should
observe the Old Testament law
2. Colossian heretics (Gnostics) tried to bind the Law. Col. 2:16
3. Sabbatarians (7th day adventists) today are trying to bind the Old
Testament Law.
a. Practically all religious bodies in one way or another go back
to the Old Testament for many of their practices; rituals;
religious days; Mechanical instruments of music, etc.
B. However Scripture clearly teaches that the law of Moses was annulled
by the death of Christ. Col.2:8-17
It is clear from this and many other passages that the judicial
and ceremonial laws of the O.T. law were annulled at the death of
Christ. NOTE: 9 of the 10 commandments have been repeated in the
Law of Christ, as well as moral responsibilities.
C. I'm not saying that the O.T. is useless...Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11.
D. There are some fundamental facts about Christ and the O.T. law we all
need to understand.
1. Christ came to fulfill the law... (Sermon on the mount)
2. Christ came to redeem those under the old law.
3. The O.T.law was a tutor to bring us to Christ. Gal. 3:19-25.
IF the O.T.law is still binding today, then Christ died in vain as the
inspired apostle Paul has said!
II. If the church is unnecessary, then Christ died in vain.
A. Many today deny the necessity of the church and ridicule those who
believe that the church is vitally important to the whole plan
of salvation.
1. Many scoff at those of us who say there is only one true church.
a) They say they accept Christ but not His church.
2. However a brief study of the church will show that one cannot
accept Christ while refusing His church.
B. The church of Christ (those who are called out by the authority
of Christ) owes its entire existence to the death of Christ.
1. The church was purchased by His blood... Acts 20:28
2. The church was sanctified (set apart) by His death...Eph. 5:25-27
3. The church was redeemed when He gave Himself for us...Tit. 2:14
4. How then can one separate Christ and the instution that He
Himself established...Mt. 16:18
C. Therefore it is essential that we see some of the basic truths
about Christ and His church.
1. Only those who are in the church are purchased, redeemed, and
sanctified by the blood of Christ.
2. Since Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23) and the body
is the church (Col. 1:18) No one is saved who is outside of the
church.
D. A conclusion that we can draw from this particular study is that IF
CHRIST DIED FOR THE CHURCH, BUT THE CHURCH IS UNNECESSARY, THEN
CHRIST OF NECESSITY DIED IN VAIN.
III. If religious division is right, then Christ died in vain.
A. The majority of people believe that denominationalism is good and
that they are all pleasing to God.
1. Many comments such as "We thank thee Lord for all the churches
that we are able to worship at the church of our own choice",
"We all have different tastes and different needs therefore
there are so many churches to suit ones own personal desires",
2. This would all be fine if the Scriptures did not completely
oppose such reasoning.
B. In Christ's death, Christ united all the saved into one Body.
1. This was Christ's earnest plea prior to His death - Jn. 17:20
2. Christ came to reconcile both Jew and Gentile into one body -
Eph. 2:16.
a) This would have been the perfect time to set up two or three
different bodies, however Christ saw fit to unite them into
just one.
b) Why is it that Christ unites and man divides?
C. The truth regarding the matter is that division was taught against
in the N.T.
1. Paul pleaded that the Corinthians be united... I Cor. 1:10-13
2. Paul gave the charter for Christian unity... Eph. 4:4-6
D. If over 1000 denominations are right then Christ did not unite
us into one body, and therefore Christ died in vain.
V. If there is no future resurrection, then Christ died in vain.
A. There has always been, and will always be some who deny the fact
that there is the resurrection.
1. Sudducees denied it.... Mt. 22:23
2. Some in the early church denied it... I Cor. 15:12; II Tim. 2:17f
3. The materialistic minded today deny it! "You only have one life
so you might as well enjoy it to the fullest."
B. Christ death was to guarantee us a resurrection.
1. Christ is the resurrection and the life... Jn. 11:25
2. He is the firstborn from the dead... Col. 1:18
3. He is the first fruits of the dead... I Cor. 15:20,23
C. The basic fact concerning the resurrection is that it is all based
in Christ.
1. Faith in Christ is the ground of our hope... I Cor. 15:14
2. Our source of comfort is in the resurrection.. I Thess. 4:18
3. Our goal of all our striving is the resurrection...Phil. 3:11
D. Therefore without the resurrection Christ died in vain.
Concl.
A. According to Scripture, Christ's death was not vain, but man would like
to think that he is right.
1. If the things we have studied today are correct, and I do not accept
them as truth then Christ died in vain!!
a) For Christ came too seek and save that which was lost, He was
lifted up on the cross to draw sinners to Himself...Jn. 12:32
"And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto
me"
b) Christ's death was also so that we might live..I Pet. 2:14;
Rom. 5:8; Jn. 10:10
B. Christ is the "way the truth and the life" Jn. 14:6
C. By rejecting Christ and not heeding to his commands, we make his cross
and His death of no effect.
1. Can you truly stand before God and say that Christ died in vain?
D. I hope and pray that is not your attitude today, Why not come and obey
His commands in all things.
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