School of Tyrannus online Course 1:The message of the Gospel Class 5: Needing a savior

By R.S. Neaville All rights reserved 2012

School of Tyrannus Online Course 1: The Message of the Gospel Class 5: Needing a savior
Now that we better understand the purpose of the Law of Moses and its place in our Christian foundations we can begin to see how it affects us. The Law informs us as to our corrupt nature through the things we do. By labeling our sinful acts as transgressions and adding the penalty of death to those acts the Law shows us that we will die as a result of this nature of corruption that we all inherited from our father Adam. This Law is God's standard of righteousness for all men, not just Hebrews. Just as Judaism went through a reformation to become Christianity which includes also the gentiles (all men) so also this law went through the same reformation and is used to convict all men of sin and their need for a savior. No man but Jesus ever fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law. Hebrews 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. The Law however was not only condemnation for the unrighteous but it also provides for a sacrifice to cleanse those who are found to be under the law's condemnation. In other words it promises a justification for all those that are judged unrighteous. This law worked in figure through the commandments, ordinances and sacrifices. The reality is all about the spiritual. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but

now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.Hebrews 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. By now you should begin to see that the Law and its teachings are necessary to learn in order to even begin to understand Christianity. You cannot repent of sin and acknowledge yourself as a sinner without it for the Law is the knowledge of sin. No other law or propriety has God given whereby a man can find the truth about his nature and God's righteous standard. Where once upon a time this law was given to the Israelites alone, now through the filter of Christ's death and resurrection it is given to all men. The Holy Spirit now uses the law of Moses to convict the whole world of sin. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Need and Answer to Need As we now understand that the law prophesies a perfect man , a man who could please God, we see it also identifies this man as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Think for a moment all this law has done for us: 1. 2. 3. 4. It identifies our problem (sin) It shows us our true nature (sinners) It shows us God's righteous standard (a perfect man) It promises justification for all the unrighteous through a sacrifice that God would provide ( a lamb without blemish) 5. It identifies Jesus as the perfect man and the sacrifice for sin. (The lamb of God). Basicly the Law demonstrates our need of a savior and prophesies his coming: God's answer to our need. This is truly the first revelation we all receive as newborn children: Need and answer to need. As newborns we cry because we are too helpless to fend for ourselves. We suffer need. We need to be fed. We need to be held. We need to be changed. Soon we find that Mom and Dad are the answer to our need. They supply what we need as well as instruct us. It is no different in being born again. We find we are helpless. We find we need to

be saved. Jesus is revealed as the answer to that need. He is revealed to us by the Spirit through the law of Moses. We all cry out when the need is great. It always starts out practical and physical. We need food, comfort, peace, urgent help etc. When we click to the fact that God has provided Jesus for our needs we begin to see that the needs are more than physical. We learn through walking with Christ our provision that he is also our eternal answer. Follow this teaching of Jesus as revealed in Matthew chapter 6: Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto From the above teaching of Christ Jesus we learn about God's promise of physical provision is we seek his kingdom first. It focuses on what we eat, drink, and wear. But what can we glean of the spiritual and eternal from this teaching? What is God's true eternal provision for man? It is Christ Jesus himself. He is what we truly eat, drink, and wear. We eat of his body, we drink of his blood and we wear his righteousness. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:48 I am that bread of life.49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: You begin to see from the truth from the scriptures? Jesus is what God has provided us to eat drink and wear. We eat of the Word (his flesh) we drink of the Spirit (his blood) and we wear his righteousness (His resurrection). He is the eternal provision of what the physical provision could only picture. The Hebrews ate of manna in the wilderness; in other words bread from heaven. That was only the picture however of the true bread from heaven. The physical is meant to teach us about the spiritual. The temporary teaches of the eternal. All of our journey's with God may start out physical but in the process is turns spiritual. Humble Submission The only requirement for this provision was to seek first God's kingdom. As we have already previously established a Christian is defined as one who does that very thing. Now we have the added truth of our helplessness to save ourselves and our need of what God has provided to save us. Quoting from the first class in this course : Christianity defined goes along way to defining a Christian as well. Christians are those who practice Christianity that is to say those who seek God his way , according to what he has provided. This practice is a discipline hence those who practice Christianity are called Jesus' disciples ( Jesus' disciplined ones).. This practice began with repentance and receiving Jesus as their savior. The point is all we can do is gratefully receive what God has provided to save us and acknowledge our helplessness and the Gift of Jesus. We offer ourselves as those bought with the price of his blood. He takes over and lives his life of holiness through our submitted members. It is supernatural. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Now that we understand that Jesus is what God provided in answer to our need, let us learn exactly from the scriptures who Jesus is!

Review Questions 1. What does the scripture mean by time of reformation? 2. What do our physical needs teach us? 3. Is the Law of Moses now meant for all men? 4. What do we truly eat, drink, and wear? 5. Name three things the Law does for us. 6. Can anyone fulfill the righteous requrements of the law? 7. How does the law show you your need for a savior? Discuss this with the class. 8. What is the only requirement for to receive God's provision? 9. Is repentance a part of seeking God's kingdom? 10. Is now you who live or is it Christ in you?