Substitutionary Death

Romans 5 (New International Version)

³Not only so, but we^[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

[5:1 – 4 – Justified by faith (lit., “because we have been justified by faith.”) it was God’s doing not mans. Peace with God: this is not a feeling but a standing. God and the believer are no longer at enmity but have been reconciled (cf. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18). This is a primary result of our justification. Access: we can come directly into the presents of God. Jesus Christ is not only our Redeemer, but he is also our advocate. By/through him we gain entrance and acceptance before the Father (1 John 2:1-2). Wherein we stand: this is the answer to the psalmist’s question: “if thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” (Ps. 130:3) Rejoice: (we boast) in hope denotes the absolute certainty the believer has of God’s deliverance.]

[5:5 – Holy Ghost . . . given: The believer has the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. This is not a second blessing but is just as much a certitude as the believer’s justification (1 Cor. 12:13).]

[5:8 – Christ died for us: His death was vicarious. That is He did not die merely for our benefit but in our place. He was a Substitutionary sacrifice. ]

Substitutionary Death

Romans 5:8 – One of the historic fundamentals of the faith is the vicarious Atonement, in which Christ died as a substitute for sin. Illustration: In the Old Testament, this was taught typologically (the doctrine or study of types or prefigurative symbols, esp. in scriptural literature.) A person by the offering of an animal sacrificed for sin, looking forward to that ultimate sacrifice for sin, Christ Jesus. (Gen. 22:8). In the New Testament, Christ is described as having died in the place of the Christian (v. 8), of the church (Eph. 5:25), and of the world (Heb. 2:9). The concept of Substitutionary death is illustrated by the offering of a ram in the place of Isaac (Gen. 22:13). Though Abraham was willing to offer his son as requested, God was prepared to accept a substitute that He had provided, from the foundation of the earth. Application: Because Jesus died for everyone, Christians should take the message of the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Christ died at the Cross for us – He went through / became every type of sin and disease known and unknown to man. Christ took it upon himself so we would not have to. So, some would say there is no meaning in a slain Christ – (Oprah and friends) – my friends there is every meaning in a slain Christ – eternal life.

 sub⋅sti⋅tute

 

1.	a person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

2.	(formerly) a person who, for payment, served in an army or navy in the place of a conscript.
3.	to put (a person or thing) in the place of another.

4.	to take the place of; replace.

ty⋅pol⋅o⋅gy

 

1.	The doctrine or study of types or prefigurative symbols, esp. in scriptural literature.

a⋅tone⋅ment

 

1.	Satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

2.	(sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, esp. as accomplished through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.

 Romans 6:15 – 18 – Forgiveness for sin - ¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. ¹⁸You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Conversion Roman 6:17 The term conversion refers to the human response to the gospel, while regeneration is God’s creation of a new nature in the one who believes and has repented. Conversion requires the commitment of the total personality, intellect, emotion, and will. This is how people respond to the message of the gospel, when they understand the nature of Christ’s atonement, feel the guilt of conviction, love God and surrender their wills to the offer of salvation. The result of conversion is the changed life. Illustration: Paul noted that the Romans had been servants of sin, but had “obeyed from the heart that form doctrine” that is, the gospel. Application: Just as conversion results in our obtaining salvation and ultimate liberty from sin, so a continuous yielding of our will to God as Christians is the key to spiritual victory (v. 13) (Heb 11:4, Luke 13:3)

Gods Whole Armor

Ephesians 6 (New International Version)
The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
As a football team takes the playing field to play the game each player knows certain things or rules that will keep him safe and in the game. First the players get a break during the game, time outs, will be a ceasefire during the game. Second – there is an end in sight to the game, it will end. When the game is over one team wins the other losses and both go home and start over again for next week’s game. Third – the players Put on their armor, football equipment, without this no one would finish the game. Fourth the team must stand against his opponent. Fifth have a scheme to win the game, carefully devised by the coaches which will give then all the best chance to win.

Just as the football game is true to its nature so is the word of God. God’ word is always true and will never change. It is the one constant that will be true to the end. This is a simply analogy but a powerful one. If we can believe what is true about a football game we must believe what is true about God’s word.

Paul is not giving us these words of truth just to have something to say he is preparing us for the battle at hand. We are in battle today with the devil and without properly arming ourselves and taking the correct stances we are doomed to lose the fight. Unlike football this battle has no break and its armor is God armor and cannot be defeated at the end.

{6:10 – Finally – is rendered “from now on or henceforth.” The spiritual battle Christians are engaged in exists “from now on” until the return of the Lord: there is no quarter given, no ceasefire, no temporary truce, and no cessation of hostilities. “From now on until the end there is all out war. The remainder of this verse can be paraphrased, “Let yourselves constantly be strengthened by the Lord, more precisely, by his mighty power.”}

(6:11 – Put on (Greek ingressive aorist imperative) denotes a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action. To stand – has military overtones. This word was used in classical Greek meaning to resist the enemy and hold a critical position in battle. The wiles of the devil (or, “the Devil’s strategy”) Satan carefully devises schemes and tactics against believers.)

1. Helmet = Salvation
2. Body Armor = Righteousness
3. Belt = Truth
4. Shoes = Peace
5. Shield = Faith
6. Sword = Spirit – Word of God

1 Timothy 4:1 (New International Version)
Instructions to Timothy
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Mark 1:23 (New International Version)
23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil[a] spirit cried out,
Revelation 16:14 (New International Version)
14They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
Activities of Demons Ephesians 6:12
Several activities in the Bible involve demons. Sometimes they cause physical disease or mental suffering. However, not all mental disorders are demonic in origin. Demons also tempt people into immoral practices. They originate and propagate false doctrines taught by heretical religious groups (1 Tim. 4:1). The Bible also teaches that some people were possessed by demons (Mark 1:23). Although demons are committed to do evil, God will use them to accomplish His plan during the end of age (Rev. 16:14) – One thing to note – demons are also objects of worship in various occult practices forbidden by God. These include divination (an illegitimate means of determining the will of God.), necromancy (efforts to communicate with and interrogate the dead), magic (using formulas and incantations), sorcery (the nonmedical use of drugs), witchcraft and astrology (Deut. 18:10 – 12). This application shows that when the Ephesian Christians who were dabbling in the occult repented, there was a great revival in that place. No Christian can ever justify his participation in demonic activities. (Ex. 7:11, Eph. 6:12 and Heb. 1:4)
Demons are given names that are proudly presented above their heads dictating what havoc they will unleash. The demons I have seen have names like, depression, discontent, drug abuse, failure, time as it relates to we have much time before the return of Christ. The demons of disease, such as, cancer. Cancer comes straight from the pits of hell causing death, destruction, financial devastation, hopelessness. Even our best doctors don’t understand cancer. Our God has given us means of attaching cancer through the medical profession, relying on their words and methods. We know as Christians that God has the final word or say in all matters here on earth. We must listen to God and what he has to say above all else. God’s game plan is to deliver his children from the demon of cancer. God just needs us to keep moving and don’t give up in the good fight of faith.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (New International Version)
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [a] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.
Exodus 7:11 (New International Version)
11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: