30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 16 19-31 Released from self cetredness 30 Jesus is the solution to man’s predicament
📖 Luke 16:19-31
02Jun2020 - *Jesus is the solution to man’s predicament* - _Luke 16:19-31_ - Bible reading: _Colossians 1:20-21_
_Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented._
We have established the three reasons for the evil in our world. The bad news.
1. Man is dead (Though dead he is still the ruler over God's creation)
2. Man has now become the arbitrator of good and evil from the place of death.
3. Satan is inflicting death into the whole of creation, through man, who has become a vassal of Satan
God was providing the solution for man’s predicament. We are now looking at each of the reasons for the evil in our world and the good news that God has provided to overthrow the bad news.
To settle the payment of man’s death, God first, came in human flesh, was tested in all points as we are, be without sin, so as to be our substitute and take our death upon Himself.
We have already said that man’s death took place in four areas.
1. Man was alienated from God and this was man’s first point of death. Jesus reconciled this death of man on the cross through His death. _Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. _(II Corinthians 5:18/Colossians 1:20-21)_
2. The second death of man was the death that man experienced within himself. Man was alienated within himself and this death was a law that was operating in the flesh of man. Jesus set us free from this death within us. _Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Romans 6:3-6/Colossians 2:12-13/ Romans 8:2-4,11/ Hebrews 10:10)_
3. The third death that had come upon humanity was the death of relationships between one another. We are therefore at conflict against each other. This death was defeated at the cross and the middle wall of partition between man and man has been broken down. _Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Colossians 3:10-11/Galatians 3:27-28_
4. The fourth death of man was our alienation from creation. Man was to be the regal authority to bring God’s rule over creation but sin, producing death in us has made us plunder creation. Creation is now rebelling against man and causing the havoc that is ravaging our world today.
This death has been defeated by Jesus at the cross. _Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. II Corinthians 5:17/ II Peter 3:10-13_
We see that man’s death has been defeated by Jesus and He has brought us from death to life. We, therefore, need to see that the good news brings us back to life, which Adam and Eve had with God before the fall of man.
*Thought to ponder*
```The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a wonderful gift for man but also makes us responsible to now live unto God.```