Powerpoint Pictures: Firefighters; Lifeboat; Air Rescue Helicopter; Doctor; Elite Special Forces

Who do these rescuers save?

Firefighters – people who are trapped in buildings that are on fire.

Lifeboat crew – people who are drowning at sea.

Air rescue – people who are trapped up a mountain.

Doctors and surgeons – people who are hurt or ill and need medical treatment.

Elite Special Forces – people who have been kidnapped and held hostage.

We all need saving from a greater danger than being trapped up a mountain or in a building on fire because God is righteously angry with our sin and will punish us for it.

We are facing God’s judgment of hell and that is not good news for us.

But is that all the Bible teaches?

No, as we’re going to find out as we look at our next Big Question.  Let’s look at it now…

Q: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour?

Is there any way for us to be saved from our sins and not be punished by God in hell?

Look at what the Bible says.

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11)

Now there is a lot in those two verses.  But here’s what they are saying.  These verses tell us that God had a plan to save someone who would be a redeemer.  This redeemer will die and take what our sins deserve so that we can escape punishment and be friends with God again.

So, what is the answer to the question “Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour?”

It is this: