The
Foundation of the Church
Course:
The Cross
Lesson
7
Lesson Title: The Mediator between God and Man;
Text: 'For there is one God and one mediator
between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus'
(1 Timothy 2:5)
Introduction:
The Greek word 'mesites' meaning mediator
comes from two words: mesos, 'in the middle', and eimi, 'to go'.
There are two
ways the word is used:
·
A
mediator. It literally means 'a person
who stands in the middle' or 'a person who goes between two parties in order to
bring them together'.
·
A
guarantor. But it also has a second
meaning. It refers to one who stands as
guarantee on behalf of another. It is a
person who is willing to pay someone's debt if they are unable to pay it
themselves.
A mediator must represent two parties in order to bring them together. In the case of salvation only One could mediate who was both truly God and also truly man.
If He is not both God and man then He could only be a mediator in the sense of carrying a message. God would still need to find a way of reconciliation without denying His own holiness. A guarantor stands surety for another. The Lord Jesus is the surety of our eternal inheritance.
Christ alone is the Mediator.
The way of salvation:
· Recognising that I am a sinner, and that I can do nothing to save myself.
· Recognise that Jesus Christ alone can save, and call upon Him for salvation.
Introductory Story: What will I be trusting in when I enter eternity?
I worked for one and a half years at a
bakers in the
When I walked to work early in the morning, I was often reminded of the scripture 'His mercies they are new every morning'.
One day as I walked to work, I thought 'what will I be trusting in when I enter eternity?'
That morning I answered the question once and for all in my heart, it is 'Christ and Christ alone'.
I will not even be trusting in how much I loved Christ.
There is an eternal reward to be won according to the extent of my love for Christ, but my salvation is entirely through His love for me.
I am trusting one hundred per cent in what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me.
My sin has already been judged because Jesus took my sin upon Himself on the cross.
Now I am free from condemnation, and I am free to be holy.
Main Points:
1.
He
is both God and Man and able to stand in the gap.
·
The
reason why a Mediator is needed - the wrath of God upon sin. The wrath of God - sin must be punished (Exodus
34:7).
The love of God - He delights in mercy
(Micah
Ezekiel
prophesied how the Lord sought for one to stand in the gap. When He saw there was none then His wrath was
poured out. Ezekiel
22:30-31 'And I sought for a man among
them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the
land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation
upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I
recompensed upon their heads, says the Lord GOD.'
·
To
be a mediator a person must be able to represent both parties. In the context of salvation it is necessary
for a mediator to be able to reconcile man with God. This is not mediating in the sense of
speaking on behalf of someone but it means being able to lift mankind from the
place of alienation to the place of reconciliation. In being a mediator between God and mankind,
Jesus, the eternal Son of God had to become a man.
·
He
is able to reconcile us to God because of who He is. He had to be the ladder that reaches from God
to man. An angel could not be a mediator
between God and man because no matter how holy they are they are not equal with
God.
Jesus is God - reaches to God
He became Man - reaches to man
2.
He
is the go between who brings peace between man and God (Romans 5:1).
He is able to bring peace because of what He has done.
·
He
is worshipped in heaven because He is the sinless Son of God.
No one else was worthy.
Revelation
5:9a 'And they sung a new song, saying,
You art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were
slain,'
·
He
is worshipped in heaven because He was slain for us.
What He has done - The sinless Son of
God became sin on the cross for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Revelation 5:9b
'…and have redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue,
and people, and nation;'
·
He
is our peace (Ephesians
3.
He
is the guarantor of the New Covenant - Jesus is the Mediator of the New
Covenant. Hebrews 8:6;
·
Jesus
is the mediator of the New Covenant that is established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:6 'But now has he obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant,
which was established upon better promises.'
We have inherited the promises of God through
Jesus Christ.
We have the promise of eternal life.
We have the promise of God's provision.
We have the promise that all that is His is ours.
·
Jesus
stands as guarantor of the promises of God.
How can we not trust His word?
God's promises will never fail
We must walk in obedience to His will and His
word so that His blessings, which He has inherited for us can be appropriated
in our lives. 2 Peter
1:3-4 'According as his divine power
hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto
us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers
of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust.'
Summary:
Christ Jesus
is the Mediator because
1) He is both God and Man and able to
stand in the gap.
2) He is the go between who brings peace
between man and God.
3) He is the guarantor of the New
Covenant.
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