Why Did Jesus Die?
I. Paul’s RADICAL STARTING Point (v.14-15)
A. Held CATIVE by LOVE (v. 14, 2:14-16)
B. “ONE Died for ALL…” (v. 15; Rom. 6:6,7)
C. A LIFE-ALTERING Death (v.15, Rom. 14:7-9, 4:25)
II. A NEW Way of SEEING (v. 16-17)
A. EVERYONE is SOMEONE who:
1. Christ DIED FOR (v.14-15)
2. Has potential for PROFOUND GLORY (v.16, 5:1-6; I John 3:2)
B. EVERYONE in Christ is SOMEONE who:
1. EMBODIES the new CREATION (v.17; Rom. 6:4; Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:4-5)
III. Turning RECONCILIATION on its HEAD (5:18-6:2)
A. The OFFENDED Setting Things RIGHT (18-19; Rom. 5:8-11)
B. The AMBASSADOR is COMPELLED by Love (v.14, 20)
IV. RECONCILIATION means…
A. RESTORED RELATIONSHIP (v.19, 6:2)
B. “Becoming the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD” (v.21; Rom. 1:17, 3:21-26)
Questions for Further Reflection
1. Kid’s Question: Have you ever got into a fight with a friend or a family member? How did you make things right?
2. What things in your life “compel” you? What are the driving forces in your life? The desire to be loved? The need to be in control? The love of Christ?
3. When have you had a dramatic change in your point of view? What has that changed in your life?
4. What relationships in your life need to be rewritten from the perspective of Christ dying for all? How would that perspective change your relationship?
5. In what ways do you embody the new creation? This is not a question meant to induce shame or a need to perform. Instead, use this as an opportunity to take inventory of the work God is doing (or wants to be doing) in your life.
6. How would you describe the paradigm of reconciliation in our world today? How does God shatter that paradigm?
7. Would you describe yourself as an ambassador of Christ? What message are you communicating on God’s behalf?
8. What would it look like to “become the righteousness of God”?
9. According to this text, why did Jesus die?