Posted 14 years ago by Lisa

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Summary

"This the power of the cross. Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross." Sermon Outline “Until He Comes: Be Assured or Be Warned” - I Peter 3:18-22 The death & resurrection of Christ is the centerpiece of Christianity. They mean everything to the Church. We celebrate Christ’s triumph today & will celebrate until He comes again. His triumph is our assurance. But it is also warning to the unbeliever - warning of sure judgment. I Peter 3:18 - the Gospel beautifully expressed. “made alive by the Spirit” is a better translation. Jesus was put forth as the propitiation for our sin - “He took the blame, bore the wrath.” But He also was “made alive by the Spirit” - the Holy Spirit. If anyone does not embrace that truth by faith, he/she has no other provision for salvation or reconciliation w/God & no other hope for eternal life. The death/resurrection of Christ is the hinge/linchpin upon which our salvation swings, but it is also the hinge upon which condemnation/judgment swings! Example of Noah & those of his day: The same Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead - the Spirit of Christ, preached thru Noah to the people of his day, calling them to repentance & submission to God. The Spirit’s message thru Noah was both a promise of deliverance & a warning of judgment. If they had listened & repented/submitted to God, they would not only been saved from the flood, but the death of Christ on the cross would have paid for their sins, & His resurrection would have meant their justification before God, just as is true for Noah. However, for them, the death/resurrection of Christ means nothing but condemnation. It’s the very same for us! If we embrace Christ by faith, and thus submit to Him as Lord, we can be assured of a clear conscience before God, His resurrection power flowing in & through us. Be assured as you celebrate this Resurrection Sunday. If not, be warned! The wondrous message of salvation becomes a message of judgment. Do you believe? Are you His? What saves us is an appeal to God, by faith in Christ, for a good conscience, thru the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has done it for us. He is Lord of all. But the same Lord who accomplished our salvation is the Lord who will judge. Are you assured or warned? I pray that if you are warned, you will come to Christ by faith & be assured of life in Him, the risen, conquering Savior & King!