The Sacrifice for Sins

Recap: Light of the World

• Jesus came to shine the light of his love in a dark world.
• He was a teacher, a healer, and a trainer, and all of that was part of God’s plan of salvation.

Today: The Sacrifice for Sins

The turning point in the Biblical story of salvation is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

• Jesus knew that God’ plan of salvation involved honoring God with his life and glorifying God in his death.

Matthew 20:28: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Key Point for Today: Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice of atonement that paid the price for the sins of the world. 

What is “Atonement” All About?

It has to do with repairing the damage you have caused to another person so that the relationship can be restored.  

• Think: Restoration, reconciliation, reunion, restitution. Re- prefix indicates you are returning something to its previous state.
• When the Bible describes Jesus’ death as a sacrifice of atonement (Romans 3:25), it’s saying Jesus’ death is what allowed us to be reconciled back to God.

Back to the Garden (Genesis 1-3)

• Genesis 1-2 — God created a good world where Adam and Eve were in fellowship with him, with each other, and were embracing his plan for their lives.
• Genesis 3 — Sin fundamentally changed the world God created by separating us from him and turning people against each other.

From there, we see the obvious consequences and symptoms of sin spread throughout the world: guilt, greed, violence, disease, corruption, oppression, etc.

How God Began to Address the Problem of Sin

• God gave Israel the Law, which showed them the path that leads to life. The instruction they needed to avoid future sins.
• God gave Israel a way to make Atonement. Animal sacrifices offered in the temple.

How did animal sacrifices cleanse a person from their sins?

• God explained that every sin required that a life be given in response. Thankfully, it didn’t have to be the life of the person who sinned. They could offer a sacrificial animal instead.

Scripture: Leviticus 17:11. The blood of the animal would make atonement for their sins.

The Problem: These sacrifices were ultimately insufficient — a temporary measure, not a long-term solution. 

Jesus’ Sacrifice (Hebrews 9)

Scripture: Hebrews 9:9-10. Animal sacrifices were a temporary measure designed to cleanse people on the outside. They were important, but ultimately insufficient. 

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15, 28. Jesus’ death was able to solve the problem of sin at its source — and solve it for good.

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we can experience some incredible blessings: 

• We can be redeemed
• Our consciences can be cleansed
• Our debt can be paid
• We can be set free from sin
• Our sins can be removed
• We can be saved

But, we are not automatically saved because of the cross. We have to choose to accept the gift the way the Bible teaches us.

• And we have to remember that Jesus is the only way to be saved (John 14:6).
• The Bible fundamentally disagrees with the notion that all religions are equally valid and all paths lead to the same destination.

Why is Jesus the only way to be saved?

• Everyone has sinned, so everyone needs to be saved.
• No one can save themselves.
• No other sacrifice is able to cleanse our sins.
• The blood of Jesus is the only thing in all of human history that can solve our problem of sin and redeem us from death.

The Blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10)

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-4, 11-14. 

• The blood of animals could never take away our sins, but the blood of Jesus makes us perfect forever. 

Why was God willing to do this for us? Why did he sacrifice his son?

• Because of his great love for us (John 3:16-17).
• He is willing to pay any cost necessary to overcome our sin and reunite us with him. 

Receiving the Gift

Scripture: Acts 2:38-39.

• Believe that Jesus is Lord (Master) and Christ (Savior).
• Confess, repent, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.

More on responding to the Gospel next week.

Study and Reflection

Read: Romans 3:20-26. It might be helpful to remember that righteousness refers to being in a right relationship with God, and justify means to declare someone righteous.

1. This passage seems to say that there are two possible ways a person could go about seeking salvation: human effort (v. 20) and God’s grace (v. 24). What is the problem with trying to earn our own salvation?
2. Why do you think Paul emphasizes the fact that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory? (v. 22-23) 
3. Why is it not enough to just be a pretty good person in life and avoid the “big” sins?
4. What does it mean to you that God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement (v. 25)?
5. Why is the blood of Jesus so important to our salvation? Why didn’t God simply choose to ignore our sin or magically wipe everyone’s slate clean? Why did Jesus need to die?
6. How does the cross of Jesus demonstrate God’s commitment to justice? How does it show his commitment to grace?
7. One of the points Bryan emphasized in today’s sermon is that God is offering salvation to everyone, but everyone must make their own decision to accept it. What led you to accept that gift (if you already have)? What might be preventing you from accepting it (if you haven’t already)?
8. How would you explain to someone the reason that salvation is only possible through Jesus?
9. Is there someone in your life that needs to hear this message of salvation? How can you share it with them?