Word Pictures of Salvation

Introduction

There are many Word Pictures given us in the Holy Bible of Salvation. They serve as illustrations of Gods fantastic and supernatural bringing of sinners to Himself.

In each of the word pictures we will consider today, we can observe some familiar themes interwoven throughout that reveal to us God's disposition toward the sinner: Restoration, Atonement, Justification, Redemption, Reconciliation, Forgivenness, "Covering" and more.

I. The Good Shepherd Scene - Lost & Found & Returning

• 3 similar images: Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son (Luke 15)

Matthew 18:11 — For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

It is God that makes the first move. He finds us!

Ro 3:9-12 — What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Drawn by the Father.

John 6:44 — No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Father seeks true worshippers.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

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II. The Temple/Preistly Scene - ATONEMENT

Jesus is our propituation. The Son of God is our sacrifice of atonement. He is an offering that fulfills divine justice.

Romans 5:11 — And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

He is both offering and offerer.

Heb 8:1-3 — Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Hebrews 7:27 — Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

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III. The Court Room Scene - JUSTIFICATION

Because of our sin, we are debtors and guilty under the Law of God.

Romans 3:24 — Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 4:25 — Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Jesus justifies us. Jesus declares us to be righteous.

Romans 5:1 — Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Faith in God, is part of the means of our justification.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

There is only one provision for our Justification and it is through the Son of God.

Romans 5:18 — Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

When justice called for a payment for sin, no one worthy could be found among men. but the precious Son of God with the cross and thorn of crowns, paid the debt by the blood of the Lamb

Paid in full by the blood of the Lamb, free from sin, free to live, now I am, and it reads on the page, where my sins are written down, paid in full by the blood of the Lamb

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IV. The Slave and Master Scene - REDEMPTION

Jesus redeems us. Jesus purchases our freedom

Titus 2:14 — Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

John 8:32 — And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36 — If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 8:15 — For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 5:1 — Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

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V. The Personal Relationship Scene - RECONCILIATION

Jesus Reconciles us to God. Through Jesus we are regenerated (born again into the Family of God).

2 Corinthians 5:18 — And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Colossians 1:21 — And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

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• 3 similar images: Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son (Luke 15)

Matthew 18:11 — For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

It is God that makes the first move. He finds us!

Ro 3:9-12 — What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Drawn by the Father.

John 6:44 — No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Father seeks true worshippers.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

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