In the sermon "The Reason He Came," Tim James explores the theological doctrine of the purpose of Christ's incarnation, primarily using Isaiah 61 as a foundational text. He argues that Christ's mission was not merely to serve as a moral example or to die as a martyr, but to save His elect through His death and resurrection as the ultimate Redeemer. The preacher cites Isaiah 61, which proclaims good news to the meek, liberty to the captives, and healing for the brokenhearted, demonstrating how these facets of Christ's ministry fulfill the prophecy concerning the Messiah and accentuate the Reformed understanding of his role in effecting salvation. The practical significance of this message is twofold: it affirms the assurance of the believer's salvation, rooted in the completed work of Christ, and it emphasizes the glory of God in the salvation of His people rather than any merit on the part of those who are redeemed.
Key Quotes
“He came to save His people from their sins, to redeem them and sanctify them, to gather God's elect into one body and he made every one of these things an unqualified success.”
“If you are a sinner as is described in the Holy Spirit... it’s not because you studied. It’s because God revealed it to you.”
“Your salvation is for God's glory. This is what glorifies Him fully... His glory... only that which glorifies Him fully is the salvation He wrought by Jesus Christ in this world.”
“Not one of God's chosen shall ever perish. You can count on that. God's elect must and shall be saved.”
The Bible states that Jesus came to save sinners and glorify God through His redemptive work.
According to Isaiah 61, Jesus came to preach good tidings to the meek, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and comfort all who mourn. This mission is confirmed in the New Testament, specifically when Jesus Himself reads this passage in Luke 4, identifying it as a fulfillment of His purpose. The essence of His coming was not merely to provide an example of moral living, but to serve as a successful redeemer, achieving salvation for His elect through His death and resurrection.
Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-21
Scripture teaches that Jesus' sacrifice was a complete and successful atonement for the sins of His people.
The sufficiency of Jesus' death for salvation is firmly rooted in the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Christ died not just as a martyr, but as a sacrificial lamb meant to bear the sins of His people. Hebrews 10 emphasizes this by stating that He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Jesus' declaration on the cross, 'It is finished,' signifies that His atoning work was complete, securing eternal redemption for those whom the Father gave Him. His act of dying for the elect assures us that all whom He came to save will indeed be saved.
Hebrews 10:14, John 19:30
Recognizing our identity as sinners deepens our appreciation for God's grace and the gospel.
Understanding ourselves as sinners is vital to grasping the depth of God's grace. It is only when God reveals our sinful nature that we can fully appreciate the magnitude of salvation offered through Christ. The acknowledgment that 'He who is forgiven much loves much' reflects the relationship between recognizing our sin and understanding the salvation we have received. It transforms our view of grace from mere acknowledgment to a deep, heartfelt appreciation, fostering a genuine response of love and gratitude towards our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luke 7:47, 1 Timothy 1:15
Isaiah 61 reveals that salvation is a restorative work of grace for God's people, filled with joy and righteousness.
In Isaiah 61, salvation is described as a comprehensive restoration of God's people, indicating that it involves both physical and spiritual renewal. The passage explains that those who mourn are comforted and transformed, receiving beauty for ashes and the oil of joy instead of mourning. This signifies that salvation restores dignity and hope to the broken. Furthermore, it emphasizes the community aspect where the elect are built together as a body, serving as priests of the Lord and proclaiming His glories to the nations. Thus, salvation is not only a personal experience but a communal expression of God's redemptive work.
Isaiah 61:3-4, 1 Peter 2:9
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