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The Sacrifice Made for Your Freedom from Sin

The Sacrifice Made for Your Freedom from Sin

(Isa 53) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? -2. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. -3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. -4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. -5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. -6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. -7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. -8. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. -9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. -10. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. -11. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. -12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

On memorial day we remember those that have given their lives for our country and that is good to do. But, there is another that gave His life for a far greater freedom than that of government oppression and that someone is Jesus Christ the Lord. As we study together today, I pray that God will help you to understand that there is a freedom from sin that you can have and that the penalty for your sin has already been paid by the Lord, Jesus Christ.

I. Freedom From Sin:

God's Word clearly teaches us that you do not have to commit sin. Jesus Christ came into this world, lived, died and was raised from the dead for one purpose. That purpose was that you could be set free from all sin. Not just the sin that you have committed but also from the power of sin. If the devil has you under his power this morning, I bring you good news. Jesus has made the supreme sacrifice for you and you can be set free from all sin. You can live holy and righteousness in this present world. All that you have to do is surrender to Jesus by confessing, repenting, and forsaking all sin. What a joy it is to be free from the power and dominion of sin. Does this sound too hard to believe? That is the question that Isaiah asked in verse 1 of our text: "Who hath believed our report?"

I can assure you that there are many that do not believe Isaiah"s report. They do not believe my report nor do they believe any of the thousands of reports down through the ages of time of those that have been freed from the shackles of sin to live godly, righteousness, holy lives. Nevertheless, whether they believe it or whether you believe it, it is true anyway. Our Lord, Jesus Christ has set us free from the power and dominion of sin and He will set you free if you will turn your life over to Him.

"Who hath believed our report?" Consider the reports of deliverance that the Bible tells us about. There was the woman taken in adultery and Jesus forgave her and told her to go and sin no more. There was Zacchaeus the tax collector, blind Bartimas, Legion, Saul of Tarsus, and countless others that were not only forgiven but freed from the dominion of sin. (Rom 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (John 8:31-36) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; -32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. -33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? -34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. -35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. -36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Jesus said that whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin and that if He makes you free then you are free indeed. Now we know that the devil has many in our world saying that you cannot keep from committing sin and they say that we all have to sin. In fact some say that we have to sin every day in some fashion, but Jesus says that He will make us free if we abide in Him. Now Isaiah's question - who hath believed our report? My question - who will believe the words of Jesus our Lord? Who will believe the Word of God? How about what John says in (1 John 3:6-8) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. -7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. -8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

The Bible clearly tells us here that this was the very purpose of The Son of God coming into the world - to destroy the works of the devil. Yes, the sacrifice that Jesus made was a lot more than just to forgive you of your sin. Praise God! He made a way that we do not have to commit sin. His power rests in His children and they are free from the control of Satan.

Now I understand and God understands that your flesh is weak and that it is not an easy thing for you to break free from sin. (Psa 103:13-14) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. -14. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. So we can see that God takes into account our weak power and ability. That is why He gives us power thru our Lord. He does not simply excuse us because we say " I can't do that" anymore than we would excuse anyone telling us that when we know full well that they can do it. Of course no one learned to walk without falling down at least once and no one learned to drive without effort or to swim, play a musical instrument, operate a computer, or any of millions of things that we humans have learned to do. So it is with living a sin free life. You can do it, if you will put forth the effort and Jesus will encourage, strengthen and support you. So what are you going to tell Him? "I can't do it" or (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Do you think that what Paul is saying is an ability that only he was given for some reason? Of course not. We all know that the Bible was written for our admonition and learning. If Paul could do all things through Christ then You and I can also do all things through Christ. Jesus taught us (Mat 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. -19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: -20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He has all power in heaven and in earth and that power is available to every one of His followers including you and me. (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Yes, Jesus gives power to as many as receive Him as their Lord to become sons and daughters of God. Power to break free from the hold of sin. Power to live right in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. Power to do all things that He wants you to do. Will you believe His report this morning and receive Him as your Lord?

II. Jesus Paid The Penalty For Your Sin:

Our text informs us that our Saviour bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and his soul was made an offering for our sin. (Isa 53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Notice that Isaiah said that He would justify many, not all, but many. Those that believe the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord, they are justified. Those that reject the Gospel are not justified and therefore remain in their sins.

(John 15:13-14) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Jesus laid down His life for you. Will you be His friend and do those things which He commands you?

(Gal 1:3-4) Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, -4. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: He gave himself, He laid His life down, as a lamb before the slaughter - why? to deliver us from this present evil world. To deliver us from the control and dominion of Satan. To deliver us from the control of our flesh.

(Eph 5:1-21) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; -2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. -3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; -4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. -5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. -6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. -7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. -8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: -9. (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) -10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. -11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. -12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. -13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. -14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. -15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, -16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. -17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. -18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; -19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; -20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; -21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Now this is good sound instruction on how to live. It is the Bible way and it is made possible because Jesus made the sacrifice for us. Now we have the privilege to walk as wise and not as fools. We can believe the Gospel and enjoy the peace and joy that comes from living right and doing the right thing.

(Titus 2) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: -2. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. -3. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; -4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, -5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. -6. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. -7. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, -8. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. -9. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; -10. Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. -11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, -12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; -13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; -14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. -15. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

And so we see that we can live righteous and godly in this present world. That is the good news - the Gospel. The sacrifice has been made and it was a supreme sacrifice that not only forgave us of our sins but also set us free from the power and dominion of sin. Who hath believed our report? Who will believe the Word of God and receive Christ as Lord. To as many as received him to them gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God.

(Rev 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, .... the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,