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He Gave Himself for Us
Titus 2:13-15

Look at the beginning of verse 14, "Who gave himself for us…" Of course, the "who" is speaking of Jesus Christ.

• We see this same truth reiterated in other passages of Scripture:

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; Galatians 1:4; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:2;
2. 1 Timothy 2:6

It is a simple truth, yet so deeply profound - He gave himself for us. It is a truth we can forget in the busyness of life. We can take it for granted and fail to really appreciate it. Nobody forced Jesus to give His life, not even the Father. He willingly, of His own free will, chose to lay down His life for you and me. He said, "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself." John 10:18

So real was His free will that He said to Peter, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53

Yet, He gave Himself for us! Isn't that amazing and incredible? Jesus Christ hung on that cross, giving His life as a sinless sacrifice for you and me. Why would Jesus do this? Have you ever thought about that? This text explains why.

He gave Himself for us: That we might be forgiven of all sins. vs. 14a

1. 1. The word "redeem" means "to ransom." How do you ransom somebody? You must pay a price.
2. The Bible says that Jesus redeemed us from all iniquity. • "Iniquity" simply means "a violation of a law, wickedness."
3. What is the penalty for violating God's moral law found in His Word? Romans 6:23 states that "…the wages of sin is death." • So, in order for Christ to redeem or ransom us from all iniquity, what price did He have to pay? There way no way around it - death. • When Jesus died on the cross, our sins were imputed to Him. Our sins were put on His account. 2 Corinthians 5:19
4. The moment a believing sinner trusts Christ to save him, God takes the righteousness of His Son and puts that on the believing sinner's account. 2 Corinthians 5:21
5. Notice it says in Titus 2:14 "all iniquity." cf. Ephesians 1:7 • This means that at the moment of salvation we receive total and complete forgiveness.
6. In all other religions, the followers are trying to do something to earn their god's forgiveness, but in the gospel of Christ, God did something for us. He reached out to us in order that we might be forgiven.
7. In other religions, they have to keep working and working in order to earn forgiveness. They never know when they've done enough. But with the gospel of Christ, the believing sinner is saved and forgiven instantaneously because of Christ's finished and completed work.
8. We aren't waiting to be forgiven - we are forgiven. Why? He gave himself for us.

He gave Himself for us: That we might have purpose in this present life.
vs. 14b

1. We are cleansed and forgiven eternally at the moment of salvation, but it doesn't end there. In fact, it is just the beginning. God saved you for a purpose.
2. Notice, He purified us unto himself. God has cleansed us and completely changed our identity. We are new creatures in Christ. God has delivered us from this present evil world and translated us into the kingdom of His Son.
3. We are now unto God a "peculiar people." The word "peculiar" does not mean weird or strange. It means to belong especially to someone. • Illustration: This Bible is peculiarly mine. It is mine in a special way that is not true of anyone else. It may even seem strange to others. Why? It isn't their Bible.
4. We are peculiarly God's. What is the result of this? It should be that we are zealous of good works. God didn't just redeem you, forgive you, and then leave you and say, "That's it." God is interested in the out-working of His purpose in your life. Ephesians 2:10
5. God has bestowed His grace upon you so that His grace can now live through you in the form of good works. God wants you to be fruitful. Titus 3:14 • Through our good works we impact other lives with His grace. Titus 3:8
6. Are you zealous of good works? This is God's purpose for you in the present. God bestowed His grace upon you and placed it in you that He might do something through you! 1 Corinthians 15:10

He gave Himself for us: That we might have glory in the future. vs. 13

1. 1. Sometimes there isn't much glory in this life - there's pain, heartache, misery, trouble, trials, and hurt. You may do good works and evil is returned to you.
2. But God's plan in sending His Son to die for us involves more than just now, the present.
3. God has an eternal plan of glory for us in the future. • Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 • Praise God, as we live our lives for His glory on this earth, God has promised us a bright future! • God desires for us to live our lives "in time" in light of what He will do out there in eternity. This requires that we walk by faith, not by sight. Colossians 3:2-4

In Conclusion:
1. Do you see now why Christ gave Himself for you?
2. There was a plan and purpose.
• It starts with forgiveness, but it doesn't end there.
• God forgave you and cleansed you that He might place His life in you and give you purpose in this present life.
• Christ also gave Himself for you because God has an eternal plan of glory for you in the future, in the ages to come.
3. Do you know this Jesus who gave Himself on the cross for you? If not, will you trust Him and believe on Him today?
4. Christ gave His life for you, that He might give His life to you, that He might live His life through you.