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The Power of the Resurrection

What is needed most among the saints of God?

  • Is it a need to rebrand our church or denomination so that we are more likable by this current generation?
  • It is a fresh wind of innovation and creativity?
  • or is it a need to go down the road of the ancient paths of Scripture?

It is critical that while on this ancient path that the church not abandon truths of old. The meaning of the words, terms, and phrases are obviously what must not be lost, but I fear we get closer to losing the richness in what these words, terms, and phrases mean when we abandon them in fear that we may appear out of touch, out of date, or traditional.

As we are on the precipice of the greatest day in the history of the world, the resurrection of our Lord, I’m convinced we need this ancient path in order to articulate the gospel to this current generation. It has always been the means of passing the gospel on from one generation to another. This is the way of Scripture, to use words to communicate to all generations.

My defense is not for the words for the sake of language. My defense is a matter of eternal weight, and needs words to communicate. In general conversation we may not use these rich words, but as ambassadors of Christ’s reconciliation we must communicate the whole gospel.

With that said… here are some of those rich words that I believe are needed as most urgent among gospel proclaimers. Get these words, understand these words, and communicate these truths.

 

 

Faith:

 

Justification:

 

Atonement:

 

Imputation:

 

Sanctification:

 

Propitiation:

Propitiation (tBC030)

In this podcast (tBC030) I discuss the doctrine of Propitiation.

Wrath of God: Romans 1:18 – 3:20

Propitiation is not simply a legal pardon

Pardon:  forgiveness; the release of an offense or of the obligation of the offender to suffer a penalty, or to bear the displeasure of the offended party.

For our sin against God, propitiation is needed

Propitiation:

  1. a) The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person;
  2. b) the atoning sacrifice offered to God to tranquilize his wrath and render him favorable to sinners

Propitiation – occurs when God’s righteous wrath is appeased or turned aside by the death of His Son on the cross.

Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men.

Romans 3:21-26 – But now we are seeing the righteousness of God declared quite apart from the Law (though amply testified to by both Law and Prophets) – it is a righteousness imparted to, and operating in, all who have faith in Jesus Christ. (For there is no distinction to be made anywhere: everyone has sinned, everyone falls short of the beauty of God’s plan.) Under this divine system a man who has faith is now freely acquitted in the eyes of God by his generous dealing in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. God has appointed him as the means of propitiation, a propitiation accomplished by the shedding of his blood, to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith. God has done this to demonstrate his righteousness both by the wiping out of the sins of the past (the time when he withheld his hand), and by showing in the present time that he is a just God and that he justifies every man who has faith in Jesus Christ. (Phillips)

1 John 2:1-2 – I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

1 John 4:10 – 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.

Hebrews 2:17 – Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

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