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Ministries
of Christ
Propitiation
vs. Expiation
The difference between propitiation and expiation is not always easy to
understand, even though we all experience it.
Consider
the case of a certain factory worker who was seriously injured on the job.
After the doctors had done all they could, he was still left partially
paralyzed. An investigation revealed that the company was at fault because it
did not provide a safe work place not the proper safety equipment for its
employees. Thus, it was liable for the dangerous conditions that resulted in
this man’s injury and permanent paralysis.
As we
all have seen in similar situations, the court will probably award the injured
man a great sum of money for his pain, suffering, and permanent injury. Once
the company pays the judgment against it, it has expiated its wrongdoings. The
demands of justice have been satisfied. The company no longer has any responsibility
toward the injured man. That is expiation.
But
we have not dealt with how the inured man feels toward the company. He may be
filled with resentment, bitterness, even hatred. He may spend the rest of his
life abhorring the name of that company, even though it has been directed to
give him all the money he could possibly use. The debt that the wrong incurred
has been expiated or paid for, but the wrath that the wrong incurred has not
been propitiated.
When
Christ died, the not only paid the debt for our sins but reconciled us to God
by satisfying the Father’s wrath. He was both an expiation and a propitiation
for our sins. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Em Griffin writes, in Making
Friends, about three kinds of London maps: the street map, the map
depicting throughways, and the underground map of the subway. "Each map is
accurate and correct," he writes, "but each map does not give the
complete picture. To see the whole, the three maps must be printed one on top
of each other. However, that is often confusing, so I use only one 'layer' at a
time.
"It is the same with
the words used to describe the death of Jesus Christ. Each word, like
redemption, reconciliation, or justification, is accurate and correct, but each
word does not give the complete picture. To see the whole we need to place one
'layer' one top of the other, but that is sometimes confusing--we cannot see
the trees for the whole! So we separate out each splendid concept and discover
that the whole is more than the sum of its parts." ── John Ross.
ATONEMENT
OF CHRIST.
The
atonement that Christ made upon the cross when He died is the
Ⅰ.
Source of
all our spiritual blessing (Eph.1:7).
Ⅱ.
Separating power
in holiness (Heb.13:12).
Ⅲ.
Spring in
service ( 2 Cor.5:14).
Ⅳ.
Success in
conflict ( Rev.12:11).
Ⅴ.
Solace in
trouble (Heb.12:2,3).
Ⅵ.
Stay in
bereavement (1. Thess.4:14).
Ⅶ.
Sufficiency in
glory (Rev.7:14).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
AS THE OPENER AND SHUTTER.
“ He that
openeth, and no man shutteth” (Rev.3:7).
Ⅰ. Christ, as the Convincer of sins, opens our eyes to
see ourselves. “ I the Lord have called Thee(Christ) in righteousness, and
will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the
people, for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes” ( Isaiah 42:6,7).
Ⅱ. Christ as the Deliverer
from sin:
He opened the prison house of sin and gave us liberty. The first time that
Christ preached in the Synagogue at Nazareth, He opened the book or scroll of the
Scriptures, and turned to the place having reference to Himself as the
Deliverer, and turned to the place having reference to Himself as the
Deliverer, and said, “ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath
anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the
broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18). As He delivered Israel out of the hand of Pharaoh,
so He has delivered us out of the power of the god of this world. As He
delivered Peter out of prison, so He has delivered us out of the prison-house
of sin, and brought us into the glorious liberty of the Gospel.
Ⅲ. He opens the heart to
receive Himself as the possessor. We read in Acts 16:14,
how He opened Lydia’s heart. Again our Lord says, “ Behold I stand at the door
and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him
and sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev.3:20).
Ⅳ. He opens our
understanding by opening the Scriptures to us, as the Teacher. When Christ appeared to His
disciples after His resurrection, in the upper room, we read that “ He opened
their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” Also the
confession of the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus was, “ Did not
our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way, and while He
opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32,45).
Ⅴ. He has opened the sources
of heaven for our supply. “
He opened the rock and the waters gushed out” (Psalm 105:41); “ Thou openest Thy hand, they are filled with good”
(Psalm 104:28).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
AS THE POSSESSOR OF THE KEY OF DAVID.
“ He that hath
the key of David. He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no
man openeth” (Rev.3:7).
“ The Key of
David.” The key represents power, authority, office.
A person who has the key can unlock the door, and thus
reveal what is in the room. Christ has power to show what sin has done. Sin is like
Ehud slaying Eglon, king of Moab; after Ehud had slain the king, he shut the
door and escaped (Judges 3:23); sin has slain us, and
naturally we are dead in trespasses and sins.
Christ is the Revealer of the Father. He had to say to the
lawyers when here on earth,” Ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in , ye hindered.” But
it was not, and is not so with Christ. He was faithful in speaking out the
Father’s words, and instead of hindering, He has laid down His life for us, and
opened up a new and living way into the Father’s presence.
A person who has the key has the power to admit into the
house or to let out.
Christ says, “ I have the keys of hell ( hades) and the grave” (Rev.1:18). Satan seems to have had the keys before Christ died.
We have a picture to us of the state of things in Luke 11:21,22.
Satan had the keys—the authority over the unseen world—before Christ came, but
Christ was manifest to destroy the works of the devil.
A person who has the key of the house has authority over
the house, and hence a right to enter into all the rooms. Christ has authority over
His Church, for we are all His house.
There are two
words rendered “power” in the New Testament, one meaning strength, and the
other authority.
In reference to
the past. “ I have power (authority) to lay it (life) down, and I have power (
authority) to take it again. This commandment have I received from My Father.”
Christ was sent by the Father to die. He had His authority from His Father for
all that He did; hence when Pilate boasted of the authority he had, and said to
Him, “ Knowest thou not that I have power ( authority) to crucify Thee, and
have power ( authority) to release Thee?” Christ replied, “ Thou couldest have
no power ( authortity) at all against Me except it were given thee from above”
(John 19:10,11).
In reference to
the present. Christ is the Head of all principality and authority (Col.2:10), and because He is such, He has authority to make
those who believe in Him childrenof God, for “ As many as received Him, to them
gave He power ( authority) to become the children of God” (John 1:12). Yea, all authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to Him, as He says, “ All power (authority) is given unto Me in heaven
and on earth” (Matt.28:18), and that was the
reason He gave His disciples for sending them forth to preach the Gospel and
make disciples.
In reference to
the future. Christ having the key of David, has reference to the fact that He
is yet to reign over the House of David ( see Psalm 132:11; Acts 2:30; Isaiah 9:6,7; Ezek.34:23,24; 37:24,25; Luke 1:32,33). Christ shall
literally stand upon the Mount of Olives, overcome the enemies of Israel,
gather out everything that offends, and reign over this earth one thousand
years.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST,
THE EARNEST WORKER.
(John 9:4).
Christ’s
authority for working was because He was “sent;” His model in working was
according to the “ works of Him” who commissioned Him, and the necessity that
was laid upon Him is seen in the “ I must.” If the following Scriptures are
pondered, it will be seen how Christ viewed His life and death as an absolute
necessity. Constantly Christ uses the term “must.”
Ⅰ. The must of work (Luke 2:49; John 9:4; 10:16).
Ⅱ. The must of walk (LUKE 13:33).
Ⅲ. The must of death (John 3:14; 12:34).
Ⅳ. The must of preaching
(Luke 4:43).
Ⅴ. The must of seeking (John
4:4).
Ⅵ. The must of resurrection
(John 20:9).
Ⅶ. The must of increase
(John 3:30).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST,
THE PROPHET.
Jesus was
recognized as the Prophet that Moses had spoken of and promised to Israel
(Deut.18:15-18).
Powerful prophet (Matt.13:54).
Royal
prophet (Matt.16:16).
Omnipotent prophet (Luke 7:16).
Penetrating prophet (John 4:19).
Healing
prophet (Mark 5:29).
Enlightening prophet (John 7:40).
Truthful
prophet (John3:34).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
POSITION OF CHRIST.
The Position of
Christ. “ Sit Thou on My right hand.” He sits at the right hand of God—
Ⅰ. As our
Intercessor to plead for us (Romans 8:34).
Ⅱ. As the
Honoured One for us (Mark 16:19).
Ⅲ. As the
Channel of blessing to us (Acts 2:33).
Ⅳ. As the
Waiting One to receive us (Acts 7:56).
Ⅴ. As Head of
the body, to minister to us (Eph.1:20-22)
Ⅵ. As the
Object to attract us (Col. 3:1).
Ⅶ. As the
Sin-purger who has cleared us (Heb.1:13).
Ⅷ. As the
Glorified One who is to reign (Heb.1:13).
Ⅸ. As Our
Representative (Heb.8:1).
Ⅹ. As the
Accomplisher of His work (Heb.10:12).
Ⅺ. As the
Conqueror over His foes (Heb.12:2).
Ⅻ. As the
Almighty One (1.Peter 3:22).
XIII. As the Expecting One (Psalm 110:1).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
《Jesus Our Shepherd》
INTRODUCTION
1. Foretold in Old Testament prophecy is the promise of a Shepherd... a. It would be glad tidings for the cities of Judah - Isa 40:9-11 b. He would gather Israel c. He would feed them, a type of David (who would be his ancestor) - Ezek 34:23 2. Revealed in the New Testament is that Jesus is that Shepherd... a. He is the Good Shepherd, who will bring other sheep into His fold! - Jn 10:1-16 b. He is the Chief Shepherd, who has other shepherds watching His flock! - 1 Pe 5:4 c. He is the Great Shepherd, who through His blood makes us complete! - He 13:20 3. The motif of a shepherd is revealing... a. It pictures the blessings enjoyed by those who follow Jesus b. It should remind us of the duties we have as His sheep [What can we glean from the Scriptures concerning "Jesus Our Shepherd"?Certainly there are...] I. THE BLESSINGS OF JESUS OUR SHEPHERD
A. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US... 1. He laid down His life for His sheep a. As foretold in the Old Testament - Zech 13:7; cf. Mt 26:31 b. As Jesus told His disciples He would do - Jn 10:11,15 2. Thus He is able to offer eternal life to His sheep - Jn 10:28; cf. 1 Jn 5:11-13 a. Offering security to those who continue to believe b. Such that none can snatch them from the hand of God c. Though one can fall from God's hand through neglect - He 3:12-15; cf. Re 2:10
B. HE NOW CARES FOR US... 1. Having called us (through the gospel) - Jn 10:3; cf. 2 Th 2:13-14
2. Having gathered us into His one fold (even Gentiles!) - Jn 10:16; cf. Ep 2:11-22
3. As our Good Shepherd: a. He knows us - Jn 10:14,27; cf. 2 Ti 2:19 b. He feeds us - Jn 10:9; cf. Psa 23:1,2 c. He guides us - Jn 10:3,4; cf. Psa 23:3 d. He cherishes us tenderly - Isa 40:11; cf. Ep 5:25-29 e. He protects and preserves - Jer 31:10; Jn 10:28-29; cf. Jude28-29
[Wonderful are the blessings of Jesus our Shepherd! Such blessings areprefigured in that most beautiful of psalms (Psalms 23). But what does the Shepherd expect of His sheep...?] II. OUR DUTIES TO JESUS OUR SHEPHERD
A. HEED HIS VOICE... 1. His sheep hear His voice - Jn 10:2-3 2. His sheep follow Him, for they know His voice - Jn 10:4 3. Thus Jesus expects His sheep to heed His voice a. As proclaimed during His earthly ministry - Lk 6:46 b. As stated in the Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20 4. Which we do today by heeding the words of His apostles a. To receive them is to receive Him - Jn 13:20 b. Thus the early church continued steadfastly in their doctrine - Ac 2:42 c. For they taught the commandments of the Lord - 1 Co 14:37 -- Are we following the Shepherd by heeding His voice? B. HOLD TO HIS FLOCK... 1. There is one flock (or one body) - Jn 10:16; cf. Ep 4:4 2. We should strive to maintain the unity of that flock a. For which Jesus prayed - Jn 17:20-23 b. For which Jesus died - Ep 2:13-16 3. Which we do today by: a. Not heeding the voice of "strangers" (false teachers) - Jn 10:5,8b; cf. 2 Jn 9,10 b. Maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - Ep 4:1-3 -- Are we doing our part to preserve the oneness of His flock? C. HELP HIS SHEPHERDS... 1. The Chief Shepherd has shepherds to guide His flock a. They are the elders in a local congregation - 1 Pe 5:1-4 b. Their duty is to oversee and pastor the flock - Ac 20:17,28;1 Pe 5:1-3
2. Jesus expects His sheep to respect His shepherds a. To submit to their oversight, make their duty a joyful one - He 13:17 b. To esteem them highly in love, being at peace - 1 Th 5:12-13 -- Are we helping or hindering the work of the Lord's shepherds? CONCLUSION
1. Wonderful are the promises for those who follow "Jesus Our Shepherd" - cf. Re 7:13-17 2. Yet Jesus warned of some who... a. Are not His sheep, for they did not heed His voice - Jn 10:26-27 b. Though in His flock (kingdom), will one day be cast out - Mt 13:41-43; cf. also Jn 15:1-2,6
Yes, He described a Day in which the sheep and goats will be parted (Mt25:31-34,41). What side will we be on? It depends on whether we
fulfill our duties as His sheep...
──《Executable Outlines》