It is Appointed Unto Man

Today the message is entitled “It is Appointed Unto Man”

We finished our glance at the Bible book of Titus last week. After discovering how to live as Christians, and how to give leadership to a group of Christians, we found the command to be alive in our walk with Christ.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament states: “The purpose of the epistle to Titus was to instruct him about what he should do and teach in the Cretan churches. A special theme of the letter is the role of grace in promoting good works among God’s people (Titus 2:11-3:8).

This week we lost a beloved friend who has been a member of this church family from the beginning. She loved the Lord with her whole being and now she is with Jesus in heaven. She would want us to look at our relationship with Jesus and to be sure of what we believe.
This message is for her, as a tribute to her life walking amongst us. Her life showed God’s love through her. May we live out our lives as dedicated to our God as she did.

Now let us look at the truth that Paul wrote and Titus taught about Christ. We find a passage of Scripture in Hebrews that starts us on this journey to discover the base for what we believe or should believe – for those who do not yet understand or believe.

Hebrews 9:26-28 NIV

26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,
28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
Five Facts About Death – Bible study based on Hebrews 9:27 states:
“In the phrase “It is appointed for men once to die…” we find our second fact, that you are no exception. When Hebrews 9:27 says “it is appointed for men once to die…”, it does so generically, with no sense of gender. In other words, “men” here stands for all humankind —man, whether male or female.
Found at simplybible.com/f162-whybe-five-facts-about-death.htm

Peake’s Commentary of the Bible gives us: “By His (Christ) death He has consecrated the new covenant together with the heavenly sanctuary itself and everything associated with it. No repetition of His sacrifice or of His entry into God’s presence is necessary; he (Christ) has affected the removal of His people’s sin from the sight of God once for all.”

Sin is in our nature from the beginning of mankind. We need a way to be forgiven. In the Old Testament times, that was by sacrificing an unblemished animal which the high priest would take to the alter on our behalf. It was done every year to keep us from death due to our sin.

Rom 5:12 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all men, because all sinned.

God chose to bring us a final way to be forgiven – the death of Christ on the cross and His coming back to life, having taken on the entire worlds punishment of death for sin.

1 John 3:5 NIV
But you know that He (Christ) appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.

1 Pet 2:24 NIV
He Himself (Christ) bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.

Sidlow Baxter, in his book “Explore the Book,” tells us of a question he was asked: “One Sunday evening a young man came to me with a question: “If, as you say, our Lord’s death on Calvary was a full and final atonement for sin, how is it that He needs now to be ever interceding for us as our Priest in heaven?” The answer, of course, is that although the finished work of Calvary brings us a full and free forgiveness, we still remain sinners, pathetically disqualified from fellowship with a holy God. The heavenly ministry of our Lord answers the further need. Through His sacrifice on earth we have our forgiveness ; through His priesthood in heaven we are kept in fellowship.”

Charles Pleiffer, in his book “The Epistle to the Hebrews,” gives us this thought:
“Sin has been atoned for, the believer is justified! This is the Gospel proclamation. On the cross Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Christ was offered “once” to “bear the sins of many.” At His second coming He will not deal with sin again, for that has already been removed. Then He (Christ) shall bring about the consummation of all things as He reigns as sovereign over His redeemed people.”

The Experiencing God Study Bible has several questions related to our text in its notes: “Has Christ done everything needed to gain forgiveness for your sins? Have you accepted His offer of forgiveness? Does Christ want you to forget the sin and guilt He has forgiven?”

2 Cor 5:10 NIV
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether bad or good.

1 Peter 1: 13-16 NIV
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14 As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as He (Christ) who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I (Christ) am holy.”

It is Appointed Unto Man once to die! God gives us an opportunity to live with Him for eternity – all we have to do is believe that what God tells us is the truth. God promises that if we believe that Jesus died for the punishment of our sins, we would be with Him forever.

When my earthly time is over, I want people to know and remember that I lived like God wanted me to and that because of what Jesus did, I am in God’s presence for ever.

Dedicated to Dolores Munro, who lived with Jesus in her heart and is in God’s eternal presence now!