Christ Became a Curse That We Might Become a Blessing -- Zac Poonen -- August 3, 2022
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/christ-be-a-curse-that-we-might-become-a-blessing River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon contrasts the curses incurred by sin in Genesis, distinguishing between sins that harm only the self (Genesis 3) and those that harm others (Genesis 4), arguing the latter are more serious. The speaker then pivots to Galatians 3, emphasizing that Christ became a curse for humanity by enduring crucifixion, which was required by Mosaic Law. Ultimately, Christ's perfect life, including being tempted in every way we are, allowed him to overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit and grace.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did God curse the ground and not Adam?When Adam sinned, God did not curse Adam personally, but cursed the ground, which eventually led to Adam's physical death and explains why believers still get sick in this body.
The difference between Genesis 3 and Genesis 4 sinsAdam sinned and hurt only himself, whereas Cain sinned and hurt his brother, which is why God cursed Cain directly; Christians often fail to take sins that hurt others, like gossip or anger, as seriously as sins that hurt oneself.
Christ became a curse for us on a treeGalatians explains that Christ became a curse for us by hanging on a tree, fulfilling the Old Testament law where anyone hanged on a tree is accursed by God.Deuteronomy 21:22
Jesus shared our bodily curse and experienced sicknessBecause Jesus took a body made from the cursed dust of the earth, he experienced temptation in every point and even sickness as a forerunner, yet without sin.
Staying under the umbrella of graceThe only way to overcome sin is to remain humble before God and man, keeping ourselves under the umbrella of grace so that sin cannot have dominion over us.
How Jesus lived under grace from childhood to the crossFrom His childhood in Luke to His suffering on the cross in Hebrews, Jesus maintained humility and lived by the grace of God, enabling Him to never sin even under extreme agony.Luke 2:40
Coming to the throne of grace for mercy and graceBelievers must boldly come to the throne of grace in humility to receive mercy for the past and daily grace to live without falling into sin or bad moods caused by pride.
Isaiah 53 and Jesus bearing our sicknessesIsaiah 53 indicates that Jesus was acquainted with sickness and bore our sicknesses, which is confirmed when comparing scripture with Matthew 8 where Jesus healed the sick.Isaiah 53:3
The future redemption of our physical bodiesWhile the curse on our spirit is removed now, the curse on our physical body remains until Christ returns to transform our humble state into a glorious body.Philippians 3:20–21
Christ redeemed us from the curse for a positive purposeJesus became a curse on the cross not just to forgive sins and defeat Satan, but so that the blessing of Abraham, which is the promise of the Holy Spirit, could come to us.Galatians 3:13–14
What is the blessing of Abraham?Promised in Genesis 12, the blessing of Abraham means that God blesses us and makes us a blessing to every family we encounter through the quality of eternal life.Genesis 12:2–3
Being a witness through the fullness of the Holy SpiritTrue fullness of the Spirit is marked by receiving power to be Christ's witness and a blessing to others, rather than getting caught up in outward experiences like speaking in tongues.
The aroma of life and death to those around usAs we are led in triumph, our Spirit-filled lives act as the perfume of Christ, serving as an aroma of life to the sincere and an aroma of death to those who are perishing.
Jesus causes some to rise and some to fallJust as Simeon prophesied over infant Jesus, the presence of Christ in a believer's life or a church causes sincere people to rise and insincere people to fall.
