He Was Stripped So You Have Everything: 10 Exchanges at the Cross
Dr RJ Sing, 28 min, Part 4 of Lockdown Messages 2020
Originally recorded as “The Divine Exchange”
Sermon outline
At the cross Jesus took everything that was ours so that, by faith, we may have everything that is his: forgiveness, healing, righteousness, abundance, glory, blessing and new life.
Main text
- Hebrews 10:14
- Isaiah 53:4-6
Opening
He welcomes listeners, family members and partners across South Africa and beyond on Resurrection Sunday, and says the resurrection is historical fact, not hearsay or rumour: Jesus triumphed over death, the enemy and sin. Having had Friday, and because of time, he goes straight to what was accomplished on the cross before Resurrection Sunday.
A single offering that covers every need
Hebrews 10:14 uses two powerful expressions, "perfected" and "forever", which together describe a sacrifice that covers every need of the human race: body, soul, mind, emotions, material and financial. The one basic problem was that we all turned to our own way, but those who have received Christ have returned to the sheepfold and walk in the name of their God.
“You and God are in covenant.”
- Hebrews 10:14
- Philippians 4:19
- Isaiah 53:6
- Micah 4:5
1. Jesus was punished that our sins may be forgiven
The punishment fell on Jesus at the cross so that forgiveness could come to us.
“Had there not been that punishment, there would be no forgiveness of sins.”
- Isaiah 53:4-5
2. Jesus was wounded that we may be healed
The exchange has a physical application. Matthew records that Jesus healed all who were sick so that Isaiah's word would be fulfilled: he took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.
“Jesus was wounded on the cross that we may be healed.”
- Matthew 8:16-17
- 1 Peter 2:24
3. Jesus was made sin that we might be made righteous
He was made sin with our sinfulness so that we might be made righteous with his righteousness. Righteousness does not have to be earned or worked out; right living is good, but that is not what he means here.
“Righteousness is a nature that has been imparted by Christ to you when you were born again.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
4. Jesus was cut off that we might be joined
Jesus was cut off from his Father and from heaven so that we, who were alienated and far from God, may be joined to the Lord. The fruit of his being cut off is a spiritual union: the believer is one spirit with the Lord.
“He was cut off that we may be joined unto the Lord.”
- Isaiah 53:7-9
- Psalm 88:3
- 1 Corinthians 6:16-17
5. Jesus became poor that we in return might become rich
The exchange is poverty for riches, so a believer who was poor does not have to remain poor. In his earthly ministry Jesus showed abundance and never lack; he became poor on the cross. God is able to meet every need, but it must be appropriated by faith, not by fear, doubt and unbelief.
Illustration: Money in the mouth of the fish and five thousand fed, and then the cross: hungry, thirsty, naked, in need of all things, owning nothing.
“Because He was stripped of everything, we have everything.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Matthew 17:27
- Matthew 14:21
- John 19:28
- John 19:23
- 2 Corinthians 9:8
- Acts 20:35
6. Jesus bore our shame that we may share His glory
Crucifixion was the most shameful of deaths, reserved for the lowest class. The shame he endured opens the way for everyone who trusts him to be released from their own shame, whatever their past or present.
Illustration: Believers can walk with their heads held up high.
“You have been raised to the highest class.”
- Hebrews 12:22
7. Jesus bore our rejection so that we need not carry it
God's provision for healing the wound of rejection is at the cross, where Jesus cried out to God and had no response. He tells anyone suffering rejection of any kind to leave it where they are and walk away from it.
Illustration: A wife who was married young, deserted and broken-hearted, whom the Lord now calls back to himself.
“He died of a broken heart and of rejection, so that we do not have to carry around in this life a broken heart and rejection.”
- Isaiah 54:6
- Matthew 27:46
8. Jesus was made a curse that we may enter into the blessing
Believers now walk in the blessing of God whether they go east, west, north or south. Barrenness, unfruitfulness, sickness, family breakdown, poverty, failure and oppression belong to the curse, and Jesus bore its full horror. He leads a short prayer of forgiveness for anyone who has not yet entered into this.
Illustration: "It is finished" means to make something complete and perfect.
“We are no longer under the curse.”
- Galatians 3:13-14
- John 19:30
9. Jesus died our death that we might receive His life
Sin gives birth to death, but Jesus paid the full penalty so that we might receive his eternal life, the Zoe life of God. On Resurrection Sunday the believer has been raised with Christ as a son of the living God.
“Jesus paid the full penalty.”
- Ezekiel 18:4
- James 1:15
10. Our old man was put to death that a new man might come to life in us
The old things have gone and all things have become fresh and new. You are no longer a rebel but a child of the Most High God, born again of a seed that cannot die.
“The old man is a product of a lie, but the new man, that's you, is a product of truth.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 1 John 5:4
- 1 Peter 1:23
Putting it into practice
- Appropriate what the cross provided by faith, not by fear, doubt and unbelief.
- Put down rejection and shame and walk away from them.
- Search out these truths in the Bible and affirm them.
- Keep believing and thanking, which he calls a spiritual staircase.
- Say thank you to God with an Easter offering as soon as you are able.
Closing
He calls Resurrection Sunday a time of celebration and prophesies resurrection over everything that has died in listeners' homes, marriages, families and businesses. He then thanks the church's partners and appeals to the church family for a special Easter seed offering, reminding them that their money is not on lockdown, and asks them to keep watching online until the church can gather again.
In his words
- “Jesus gave his all so that we too, progressively in our lives, may give him our all.”
- “Because He was stripped of everything, we have everything.”
- “The old man is a product of a lie, but the new man, that's you, is a product of truth.”
- “These two things, believing, thanking, thanking, believing, are like a spiritual staircase.”
- “Thank you for Resurrection Sunday because when you rose, we all arose.”
Every scripture in this message
- Hebrews 10:14
- Philippians 4:19
- Isaiah 53:6
- Micah 4:5
- Isaiah 53:4-5
- Matthew 8:16-17
- 1 Peter 2:24
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Isaiah 53:7-9
- Psalm 88:3
- 1 Corinthians 6:16-17
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Matthew 17:27
- Matthew 14:21
- John 19:28
- John 19:23
- 2 Corinthians 9:8
- Acts 20:35
- Hebrews 12:22
- Isaiah 54:6
- Matthew 27:46
- Galatians 3:13-14
- John 19:30
- Ezekiel 18:4
- James 1:15
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 1 John 5:4
- 1 Peter 1:23
- Mark 12:41-44
- Hebrews 7:8