Who killed Jesus? Was it Judas who betrayed Him? No! Was it the Jews who hated Jesus? No! Was it Pilate who sentenced Him to be crucified? No! Was it the Roman soldiers who nailed Him to the cross? No! I killed Jesus! You killed Jesus! Our sins caused His suffering, His beating, His mocking, His cursing, His whipping, and His being nailed to the old rugged cross. He died because of our sins.

Transition

This evening as we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, we are going to examine several verses that answer the question “Why Did Jesus Die?” Please listen carefully as some of what I will share is a bit more technical than my usual words.

Christ Died for Our Sins

☆ (1 Corinthians 15:3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1. The meaning of “for”
   1. The word here translated “for” is ὑπέρ
   2. This word means in behalf of, for the sake of, instead of, or on account of. In other words, Jesus died in order to pay for our sins completely. It means He died to take away our sins. Christ’s death was vicarious (an act done as a substitute for another) for our sins.
2. The significance of “for”
   1. Christ died for the sake of our sins. He did not die as a martyr. He did not die because He was killed. He died specifically for the sake of my sin and yours. He died to pay the punishment we deserve.
   2. Being God, Jesus was able to vicariously take our place. He became our substitute. We deserved to die eternally in the lake of fire, yet Jesus died for us. He died instead of us.
   3. The same word is used in the following verses.
      ☆ (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
      ☆ (2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
      ☆ (Galatians 1:4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
      ☆ (Hebrews 10:12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Christ Was Delivered for Our Offences

☆ (Romans 4:25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1. The meaning of “for”
   1. The word here translated “for” is διά
   2. In the accusative case it means because of, or for the sake of.
2. The significance of “for”
   1. This is similar to previous word, yet it emphasizes more of the cause.
   2. Christ was delivered to the cross because of our sins and raised again because of our need for justification.
   3. Sin is not an unfortunate mistake. It is an insult to our holy God. Sin is a capital offence that deserves the death sentence in the eternal the Lake of Fire.
   4. Each of us is a sinner. God loves us and does not want us to miss heaven and go to hell. Because of this He stepped in and took our place. We must never forget that it was our filthy sins that caused the need for Jesus to go to the cross. Our lies, bad thoughts, unkind words, anger, disobedience, lust, and dishonesty made it necessary for the loving Lord Jesus to be delivered to death.

Christ Suffered for Our Sins

☆ (1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1. The meaning of “for”
   1. The word here translated “for” is περί
   2. This word means concerning, about, or in reference to.
2. The significance of “for”
   1. This word indentifies the object of the verb. Why did Christ suffer?
   2. Jesus did not suffer because he was bad. He suffered for a purpose; that purpose was to pay for the sins of mankind. He suffered concerning my sin and yours.
   3. The same word is used in (1 John 2:2) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” This verse tells us that Christ is the propitiation concerning our sins. “Propitiation” is a full payment that satisfies the wrath of God. Christ made that full payment concerning our sins.
   4. Christ knew that sin blocked us from heaven and condemned us to hell. He took it on himself to suffer and propitiate God’s wrath for our sin. He addressed our sin problem in the only way that could solve it.

Christ Redeems through His Blood

☆ (Ephesians 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1. The meaning of “through”
   1. The word here translated “through” is διά
   2. In the genitive case it means through. It tells us how the result was achieved.
2. The significance of “through”
   1. It is through the blood of Christ that we can be forgiven. It is not through our works or religious efforts. It is only through Christ’s blood. If Jesus had not shed his blood for us, we would all spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.
      ☆ (Hebrews 9:22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
   2. Another similar verse is,
      ☆ (Colossians 1:14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Conclusion

Christ died for us. It is because of his vicarious death and through his blood that we can be forgiven and given eternal life in heaven.

Turn with me now to 1Corinthians 11:23. As we turn our attention to the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gave local churches that ordinance to do in remembrance of Him. He does not want His children to forget that He died for them. The broken bread and grape juice remind us of how Christ’s body was broken by the beatings, the whipping, the nails in his hands and feet, and the spear in his side. His blood ran down his quivering body and dripped on the Golgotha hillside. He endured all that plus the eternal payment of our hell.

Because the Lord gave the Supper to local churches, if you are not yet a church member, it would be better for you to let it go past.

Before we partake, we are going to pause for a time of silent prayer. As you pray, ask God to examine your heart for any sin that you have not already confessed. Confess all sin that comes to mind, then thank Him for dying for you, to pay for every one of your filthy sins.

Lord’s Supper

1. Bread

• Thank the Lord for the bread
• Pass it out (ask everyone to wait)
• Read 1 Corinthians 11:24, then partake

2. Juice

• Thank the Lord for the juice
• Pass it out (ask everyone to wait)
• Read 1 Corinthians 11:25, then partake

Song: Jesus Paid it All, 125 verse 4
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Why Did Jesus Die?
24 January 2016 PM – 1Cor 15:3-4 – Lord’s Supper – Scott Childs