T1L10 The Work of Christ [Discipleship Class]

THE HOUSE OF FAITH CHURCH | REPLUM DISCIPLESHIP COURSE

REPLUM INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES | WWW.REPLUM.ORG | WWW.PS127.ORG

Scripture Focus

1 Corinthians 15:1–8, Hebrews 4:14–16, Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Romans 3:21–26, Romans 4:23–25, Luke 24:36–49, John 14:1–6, Acts 1:6–11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Introduction

In the previous lesson we considered who Jesus is, fully God and fully man in one person. In this lesson we consider what Jesus did. Scripture presents a unified work that spans His sinless life, His substitutionary death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His present priestly intercession, and His certain return. Understanding His work strengthens assurance, fuels worship, and clarifies how believers now live in thankful obedience.

Group Warm-Up

1.   In one sentence, how would you explain what Jesus accomplished to a new believer

2.  When you think of Jesus’ work, which event comes to mind first and why

Teaching Outline for Discussion

1.   Christ’s Perfect Life• Active Obedience. Jesus obeyed in every respect. See Hebrews 4:15 and 1 Peter 2:22

• Fulfillment of the Law. He fulfilled rather than abolished. See Matthew 5:17 and Romans 10:4

• Righteousness Counted to Us. God credits Christ’s righteousness to believers. See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Corinthians 1:30

• Tested and Proven. Consider the temptations recorded in Matthew 4:1–11

Talking Points

• Why our obedience can never be our righteousness before God

• How Christ’s obedience provides both our status and our pattern for life

2.  Christ’s Sacrificial Death

• Passive Obedience. He laid down His life willingly. See John 10:17–18

• Substitution. He bore our iniquity. See Isaiah 53:6, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 3:18

• Three Angles on the CrossAppeasement. God’s wrath justly satisfied. See 1 John 4:10

Redemption. The ransom paid to free sinners. See 1 Peter 1:18–19

Reconciliation. Enemies made sons and daughters. See 2 Corinthians 5:18–19

• The Cry. Consider the depth of Matthew 27:46

In Matthew 27:46, Jesus deliberately voices the opening line of Psalm 22:1, directing hearers to the whole psalm where the righteous sufferer moves from agony to vindication.

By invoking that Scripture, He identifies Himself as the promised Suffering King, fulfills the pattern of the afflicted yet faithful servant, and makes plain that His forsakenness is the real, judicial experience of bearing our sin, not a rupture in the divine nature (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13).

His cry gathers up the language of lament and turns it into faith, signaling that the very abandonment He endures secures the salvation that Psalm 22 ultimately celebrates in resurrection hope and worldwide praise.

3.  Christ’s Victorious Resurrection• Historical Reality. Eyewitnesses and public verification. See 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

• Doctrinal Meaning. Justification and victory. See Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:54–57, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17

• Resurrection Body. Same Jesus, glorified body. See Luke 24:39, Luke 24:42–43

Talking Points

• How resurrection power shapes daily repentance

4.  Christ’s Ascension and Current Ministry• Ascension. He is enthroned. See Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50–53, 1 Peter 3:22, Philippians 2:9–11

• Ongoing Work. Intercession and priestly sympathy. See Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 4:15–16

• Promise of the Spirit and our future home. See John 16:7, John 14:1–3

5.  Christ’s Future Return• Certain Promise. See Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

• Final Purposes. Resurrection, judgment, kingdom consummation, death abolished. See 1 Corinthians 15:25–26

Talking Points

• How hope of His coming produces holiness and mission

• Living awake, not anxious

Memory Verse

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Group Discussion Questions

1.   If Christ obeyed for us, what place does our obedience have in the Christian life?

2.  Which angle of the cross (appeasement, redemption, reconciliation) most clarifies the love of God for you right now, and why?

3.  Where do you feel the power of the resurrection most urgently needed in your life?

4.  How would your praying change if you truly believed Jesus is interceding for you right now?

Quiz — The Work of Christ

1.   True or False. Christ’s active obedience refers to His sinless life, and His passive obedience refers to His willing death.

2.  Fill in the blank. 2 Corinthians 5:21. “that we might become the _______righteousness______ of God.”

3.  Multiple Choice. According to Isaiah 53:6, what did Yahweh do with our iniquitya) Ignored it b) Laid it on Christ c) Forgot it d) Excused it

4.  True or False (see John 10:17–18). Jesus was forced to die against His will.

5.  Fill in the blank. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4. “that He was _____raised________ on the third day.”

6.  Multiple Choice. Christ’s resurrection proves a) God accepted His sacrifice b) He conquered death c) We will be raised d) All of the above

7.  True or False (see Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25). Jesus ascended to heaven but is not presently active on our behalf.

8. Fill in the blank. Hebrews 7:25. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make        intercession    for them.”

9.  Multiple Choice. The three doctrinal angles of Christ’s death in this lesson a) Propitiation, redemption, reconciliation b) Substitution, satisfaction, salvation c) Forgiveness, justification, sanctification d) Past, present, future

10.              Short Answer. What is Jesus doing in heaven for believers?

Interceding as High Priest, and preparing our eternal home, with supporting texts such as Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 4:15–16, John 14:2–3.

Endnotes

1.   Scripture quotations are from the Legacy Standard Bible.

2.  On atonement and the necessity of the God-man, see Anselm, Cur Deus Homo.

3.  On the accomplishment and application of redemption, see John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied.

4.  On penal substitution and biblical theology of the cross, see Thomas R. Schreiner, The King in His Beauty, and Stephen J. Wellum, Christ Alone.

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