Counterfeits: cheap grace/legalism– scripture makes very plain that human beings cannot generate what? Righteousness. Eph 2:8,9 Rom 3:28, Gal 5:4. But at the same time, God is not just in the forgiving business. He is in the restoring business. But the only people I know who are walking in the resurrection life of Christ are those who are taking hold of the benefits of his death.

What are the great benefits of the death of Jesus. At least seven. Give scriptures alluding to his death. They will contain atonement, cross, crucifixion, sacrifice, blood.

One word never associated with death of Jesus--salvation

Does that mean we can only speak of salvation in the present continuous tense? No. Paul uses it in the perfect. He has accomplished our salvation back then, and the results have a continual effect. Eph 2:5, 8. And he uses it in the Aorist or past tense which means He accomplished (began?) our salvation at some point in time. 2Tim 1:9, Titus 3:5. We can speak of salvation in the Pauline tension of 'already, but not yet.' In the same we he speaks even of redemption as already but not yet in Eph 1:7 and Eph 1:14. The point is not that salvation is not a sure thing or that it has not been accomplished, but that it is not associated with Jesus death. If His death was all we had, and no resurrection life, as Paul says, "We are of all men the most miserable." (1 Cor 15:19)

rom 6:6,7 old self crucified, no longer slaves to sin

1Pet 3:18 suffered once to bring us to God

Eph 1:7 Redemption, forgiveness

Heb 2:9,14 rendered powerless the devil

Rom 5:9, 10 justified by His blood, reconciliation

Rom 5:8 a demonstration of God's love

Heb 10:14 Made perfect forever

Heb 9:14, 15 cleanse conscience from dead works,

Heb 10:19 confidence to enter Holy place, priest, enter in full assurance

Rom 5:1 peace w/ God

Eph 2:13 those far off brought near

Gal 3:13 redeemed from curse of law

1pet2:24 die to sins so that we might live for Righteousness Phil 2:8,9 exalted Christ

Rom8:1-3 No condemnation

Gal 2:20 crucified w/ Christ

2cor 5:14, 21 all died, He became sin

1jn 1:7 cleansing from sin

Heb 9:20-22, forgiveness

28 died once to take away sins of many

Phil 2:8-10, 3:21 Christ exalted and enabled to bring sanct

All of these are yours by faith

1.justification -- root meaning: declared righteous. How? Jesus was willing to become sin. Become Bruce. Wow!

2. became sin for us--

3. no condemnation

4. redemption

3. reconciliation

4. cleansing from sin

5. forgiveness of sins

6. perfection

7. old self crucified, so no longer slaves

8. conscience cleansed (from guilt)

9. Enter holiest, participate in vindication of God's character.

10. rendered powerless the devil

11. sanctification made possible

John 5:24 "has" eternal life, does not come into judgment, Why? Jesus was judged, verdict? guilty, penalty? death. Have already passed from death to life. Which death? 2nd. When someone says to me, "Why aren't you worried about death and hellfire?" Been there, done that.

When you accept Christ, you start living in God's time. This is Eternal Life. You might sleep, but that's nothing. You can never die. You have God's life in you.

Are you praising God for what You have in Christ?

Why even look at death and resurrection of Christ separately? Many are not appreciating what they have in His death. Many pray, "Make me stronger," and never appreciate these benefits. We want His life, but aren't seeing these benefits.

EGW says many are 'buried alive.' And thus have not risen to newness of life.

"The minds of many are clouded with unbelief because those who unite with the church as the chosen of God do not reveal the virtues that are the fruits of the Spirit. Joining the church is not a sure evidence that a man has joined himself to Christ. The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ." 12 MR 51

Why do we still sin? Habits, must be replaced with new ones. Christ gives motivation, new desires, but we make choices on faith to make new habits. Dance hall story. We need not punish ourselves while making new patterns. God has warned me not to let this come out w/out asking for a response. You're in belief when you take hold of what God is offering you in Christ.

"Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven's chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked with our own individuality. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christlike life, have an irresistible power, that works for the salvation of souls."--MH 100.