Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

Chapter 5: L i v i ng the Chr i s t L i fe , Ser i es 3

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3. Jesus died to defeat the powers of evil that held creation in bondage from the beginning. On the Cross he defeated Satan, freed us from the power of death and sin, and ended the curse (called the Christus Victor view).

a. 1 John 3.8 – Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

b. Col. 2.15 – He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

c. Heb. 2.14 – Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

B. In Jesus, the promised Kingdom of God has come to the world.

1. God promised he would send a warrior to defeat the devil and restore all things to his perfect will.

a. God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head, Gen. 3.15 – I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. b. The seed would be from Abraham’s lineage, Gen. 12.1-3 – Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make