Question 22: Why is the death of Jesus so important to believers?  Apart from the voluntary, sacrificial death of Jesus no one has any hope for salvation.

TITLE: Someone has to Pay

TEXT: Hebrews 9:22, Colossians 1

THEME: Apart from the voluntary, sacrificial death of Jesus no one has any hope for salvation.

Why is the death of Jesus so important to believers?

I. Jesus had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in the Bible includes the idea of “testament or will.”

B. In a will a person must die- and the death must be proven.

C. Because Christ died we receive a rich inheritance.

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. The sprinkling of blood provided cleansing and purification.

B. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

C. The act was intended to be messy and gruesome.

III. Only a perfect, holy sacrifice could satisfy the holy requirements of God. (Col. 1:15-23)

A. As God Jesus was able to satisfy those requirements.

B. Through His death Jesus was able to reconcile all things to Himself.

C. By being reconciled by God we are made holy before God.