The Atonement of Christ

The Importance of the Atonement of Christ

Let's pray our father. We do come to you with humble and contrite hearts asking that as we attempt to Examine your word as we attempt to understand your revelation As we attempt to even get a grasp upon the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That you would be with us. That by your spirit you would subdue our hearts that you would place into our hearts. The desire that only you can put there the desire to be obedient to your word. To accept your word as authoritative in our lives.

Father we cannot begin to thank you and praise you enough for what you've done for us in Jesus Christ. But Lord we ask that you would this evening help us in a greater way than ever before. To understand.

To truly comprehend what your word teaches About the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for this opportunity we thank you for the Word of God that we can have. That we can study that we can openly read and talk about and we thank you that in your grace.

You've Seen fit to reveal to us even this portion of your truth. We love you we worship you. We again ask that you be with us. We pray in Jesus name Amen. The importance of our topic this evening that being the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ Could hardly be overrated or overemphasized in our land today.

There is an incredible amount of Misunderstanding and misinformation concerning the work of Christ. Many even of those who stand in the pulpit and preach on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights Are unclear in their proclamation of just what God has done in Jesus Christ.

Dr. Nathan Feldmuth once said What is amiss in the pulpit is a fog in the pew? And what he meant by that is what teachers and ministers are unclear on will be even far less clear for those that hear those ministers and teachers and.

So there is a great need For study and thinking upon the atonement of Christ and what it means. First of all is the very heart of the gospel message itself. There is nothing more central to the proclamation of the gospel than the work of Jesus Christ for the gospel is the message of the work of Jesus Christ and what that means.

How we treat the work of Christ will say much of how we view God. How we view sin how we view ourselves? If our message is either unclear or if our message is simply wrong How can we possibly expect God to be glorified in our park on our proclamation of that gospel?

How can men be expected to be pricked to the heart as they were in acts by a gospel that is not? The power of God now in formulating the gospel however we must Simply admit the fact that in our nation.

There is a great deal of pressure upon us to tailor The gospel to our culture tailor the gospel to make it popular to people around us. But we must avoid allowing men's opinions and feelings to interfere With our proclamation of the gospel and our formulation of what the gospel actually is.

We must remember that Paul wrote in Romans 1 16 that the gospel is the power of God and the salvation. Therefore if we love people if we want people to be saved Then we will surely Emphasize in our own lives in our own ministries the true nature of the gospel and will not compromise it.

We must remember that the preaching of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness. But to us who are being saved is the power of God first Corinthians 118 since that's the case. Then it's obviously foolishness for us to attempt to tailor the message in any way to make it less offensive.

To the world around us.

Scriptures tell us that the lost man is offended by the gospel. And if we attempt to create a gospel that will not offend We no longer have the gospel as it is found in Scripture. We must remember that the gospel message Peter tells us in first Peter 2 8 is a stumbling block to those who are disobedient and who are appointed to that end.

And. If we ever get to the point where what we are saying to men no longer causes them to stumble. We can be assured of this one thing. We're no longer preaching the gospel. We're no longer preaching the gospel.

Our proclamations of gospel should be what God has done in Christ Jesus. Not what he might be able to do if man helps him out. As a discussion this evening of the atonement. Will almost take for granted the fact that the scriptures clearly teach two things.

First of all the deadness of man in sin. Ephesians 2 1 for you were dead in your trespasses and sins. And. The resulting fact from that that there is no such thing as a God seeker. Romans chapter 3 beginning of verse 10 read it for yourself.

It's not the subject of our discussion this evening. So I will leave you to the scriptures to see this for yourself. But in Romans chapter 3 beginning of verse 10 Paul describes the unregenerate man. In Verse 11 the second section of that verse.

He says there is no God seeker. There is none who seeks after God. This is the scriptures teaching and secondly the unconditional election of God in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1 4. We will not discuss election as such this evening.

But you will see that will underlie much of what I say and these truths will be further Illustrated in the Bible's teaching on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Now before we can engage a full discussion of the atonement.

We must first look at some of the words. That we will use and define those terms. We begin with the term atonement itself. We speak much of the atonement. But you may notice that there are numerous translations of the scripture that do not even have the word atonement in the New Testament.

In The Old Testament the term appears often as a translation of the Hebrew term kaffir. Kaffir is a term that refers to a covering a covering when the blood was sprinkled upon the mercy seat there was a covering of the mercy seat with the blood and the symbolism was that by the shed blood of the sacrifice the sins of the people were covered by that blood and hence there was brought about a forgiveness of sins a Forgiveness of sins.

The atonement deals with sin it brings about the forgiveness of sin. Now you may ask well Why do we even title our discussion this evening the atonement if that's not a New Testament term. In the New Testament we have more specific terms Utilized all of which together describe the action that is the atonement of Jesus Christ.

We have taught to us in Hebrews that those sacrifices of the old law were pictures were representations of what was to come in the work of Jesus Christ and. So when we come into the New Testament when we encounter some of these more specific terms.

They come together to provide for us the one doctrine of the atonement of Jesus Christ. One of those terms found in the New Testament is propitiation. Propitiation is the Greek term halas moss or he lost a Rion.

In some modern translations you won't find this term either and that's sad. In Some more modern liberal translations this term is translated as expiation that in and of itself is not wrong because an expiation means us a sin offering a Something that removes the guilt of sin.

But you see propitiation Goes far beyond simply removing the guilt of sin. The Greek term carries with it the idea that wrath that is due Punishment that is due because of that sin is also appeased and taken away.

And so if we just go with the the liberal translation of the phrase we're missing the fact That in the work of Jesus Christ the wrath of God against sin is also fully and completely dealt with That Jesus Christ is the propitiation of our sins.

This becomes very important when we discuss for example some people's concepts that even if you're forgiven by Christ Jesus There are still some aspects of your sin some temporal punishments, which must later be in some way.

Purged cleansed.

Propitiation is that brings forgiveness of sin and assuages the wrath of the one sinned against you Romans 325. I hope you have your scriptures with you. By part fact that I have taken the time to type out Scriptures for myself, which means I don't have I will attempt to allow some time for you to get there.

But still probably to get as quickly as I will be able to read them would require that you be one of those being Bible Lillers, I don't know that all of you ever had the opportunity to be being one of those bylers.

But I hope that you are these passages write down. Continue to some Romans. Chapter 3 verse 20. Being justified as a gift by his grace redemption, which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation through faith in his blood.

Notice plea at the propitiation is here.

Paralleled with.

Connected with Redemption and the result of this.

Justification.

This propitiation is through faith and I simply point out to you the sense. This is the case. We might remember that second stuff second Lonians chapter 3 verse 2 and 4 that not all men have faith. This in mind as we think later on Specifically about the extent or scope of the atone Christ.

Hebrews chapter verse 17. Hebrews chapter 2 Verse 17 Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in all things. That he might become a merciful high priest in things pertaining to God to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Jesus Christ is described functioning at our priest in making propitiation for ends of the people. He is the one who does this. Oh this that he does this through his blood. And in first John chapter 2 verse 1 The Apostle John tells us and if anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and He himself is the propitiation of our sins and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.

Note again as we are in passing some of the terms that are connected with Term propitiation and you'll see that they begin to form a whole unit in Verse 1 we are told that Jesus is our advocate. He is our mediator.

He is our intercessor and He does so we will discover on the basis of his completed work of atonement. Now the term world used here not for ours only but also for those the whole world Should be paralleled with John's own statement in John chapter 11 verses 51 through 52.

Where we read now this he did not say on his own initiative. But being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation and not For the nation only but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Here is a direct parallel passage where John teaches us that the death of Christ was not just for the Jewish nation. But that he should gather together the children of God that are scattered abroad. Or as the book of Revelation Says again the same writer John that the Lamb has purchased for God men from every tribe Tongue and nation men from every ethnic background every nation upon the face of the earth and.

Finally the fourth place in which the term propitiation is found in this is love. This is first John 4 10. First John 4 10 in this is love not that we loved God But that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation.

For our sins the connection here that we might note is that the sending of the Sun to be the propitiation for our sins Is intimately connected with the love of God for us? Here is the highest expression of God's love for us.

So we've seen atonement. We've seen propitiation. Another term that is frequently used in the New Testament that is connected with the atonement is reconciliation. Reconciliation the Greek term katalot.

So Now this important term never has God as the object of reconciliation. In other words, it has never said that God is reconciled to us. He is the one who is doing the reconciling. However, making this bald statement would remove some of the meaning of the term for clearly the scriptures present the concept of the Relationship between God and man and God in the universe being healed in the work of Christ.

So while God does not need to be reconciled as one who's done anything wrong He does partake of the results of reconciliation. So one could say that God is reconciled to us Without being in error as long as we understand that it was God who is actively doing this and there were the enmity.

That was there Enmity of us against God and God's wrath against sin is taken away in the work of Christ. Now the term is used in the New Testament in two ways two ways in reference to the object of reconciliation.

The first is found in Colossians chapter 1 verse 20 where the cosmic aspect of reconciliation is set forth Colossians chapter 1 verse 20. Which reads and through him to reconcile all things to himself having made peace to the blood of his cross Through him whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Now we won't have time to dwell on this this evening but if you look at the context in the preceding verses the Apostle Paul has set forth that Jesus Christ is The creator of all things the term all things top on top all created things and The emphasis that he is making here in Colossians 1 20.

Against the background of the Gnostic heresy that he's addressing in the book of Colossians.

Which again?

I wish I had the time to go into each one of these points. But as I said, we have a lot of things to discuss this evening. In the background of the Gnostic heresy the Gnostics had a number of intermediate beings.

Who functioned as reconcilers between men and God? But Paul here is emphasizing that as we know from Romans chapter 8 There is a sense in which when men fell There is an alienation of the entire created universe with man as the head of the created universe between that universe and God.

In Christ His work is sufficient to bring about cosmic reconciliation. Paul is not addressing in Colossians chapter 1 the specific individual reconciliation of human beings he is addressing the cosmic scope of the work of Christ.

We know this because when he addresses this he addresses it in other terms and he is specific when he talks about it. There was a need that there be a healing of the schism that take place in the fall in regards to the entire cosmos and in regards to the entire created order.

Paul says in Romans 8 the created order is groaning waiting until the adoption of the children of God. This reconciliation takes place through Christ the death of Christ is also sufficient to bring about that healing.

But the second way in which the term is used is specifically salvific it's in reference to the doctrine of salvation of men. Some of the main passages include the following. Romans chapter 5 verses 8 to 11.

Romans 5 8 to 11 a Very famous passage many of you probably haven't committed to memory. But God demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died. For us who pair in our place Much more than having now been justified by his blood.

We shall be saved from the wrath of God through him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his son Much more having been reconciled. We shall be saved by his life and not only this but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Are you beginning to see a group of words being used in Scripture together? Here we have reconciled reconciliation, but before that we have justification.

Justification flows from and is based upon the work of Jesus Christ. There could be no justification if There is no atonement if there is no reconciliation first. Colossians chapter 1 verses 21 through 22.

Colossians 1 21 through 22. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind engaged in evil deeds yet. He has now Reconciled you in his fleshly body through death in order to present you before him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.

How does the reconciliation takes take place. Paul tells us he is reconciled us in his fleshly body through death. 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verses 18 through 21 the classic passage on reconciliation.

Now all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and Gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Namely that God was in Christ, or it's better to understand it by Christ to the instrumentality of Christ Reconciling the world to himself not counting their trespasses against them.

And he is committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ as though God were entreating through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God. He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

So what does he? Identify as part of reconciliation. Not counting their trespasses against them. How can the trespasses not be counted against us? Because in Jesus Christ there is atonement. There is forgiveness of sins.

The last major term we will look at.

Redemption redemption.

Redemption is freedom from bondage a purchasing of someone or something normally from a negative state to a positive one. From slavery to freedom is frequently how it is utilized in non-biblical passages.

It is used direct to directly describe the work of Christ in his death. In Romans 3 24 the Bible tells us that we are justified as a gift by his grace Through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. The only way that one can have redemption the only way that one can have freedom from the bondage of sin Freedom from the curse of sin is in Jesus Christ.

There is no other way. Only in a vital union with Jesus Christ is their redemption from sin. We could stop here and simply discuss the ramifications of this in regards to such ideas as work Salvation or in such ideas as as other religions having a way to God.

There is no way that the Christian gospel as we see in the scriptures can possibly in any way be connected with or have union with other religions. For the only way of redemption the only way to have forgiveness of sins is in Christ Jesus.

The same author Paul says in Ephesians 1 7 in him. We have redemption. Through his blood the forgiveness of our trespasses. According to the riches of his grace which he freely bestowed on us in the beloved in the beloved one that is in Jesus Christ.

We have redemption. But the only way the redemption can be purchased is through the blood of Jesus Christ the shedding of his blood. This is the purchase price for us this is the purchase price of redemption is the shed blood of Jesus Christ and.

Then in the same way that he did up above he identifies this as the forgiveness of our trespasses the forgiveness of our sins. How much? Redemption do we receive. How much forgiveness? The measure is according to the riches of his grace and can you conceive of a greater quantity than that?

There certainly is no lack. There certainly is no lack of power and the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So these are some of the terms that we must think about as we discuss the atonement this evening.

Christ Came to Save Sinners

Now I want to ask you a question. I want to ask you a question. What was the intention of the father and the son and the spirit in? Christ's coming to this world. Why did Christ come? What is the intention of Christ's work?

For how we view the atonement will be directly related to how we answer that question. What is the intention of Christ's work in Luke chapter 19 verse 10? We hear our Lord answer the question for the Son of Man.

Came to seek and to save the lost. Here's what Jesus said. Here's Jesus's answer to the question Lord Jesus. Why did you come? I have come to seek and to save the lost. That is his intention. Paul the Apostle in first Timothy chapter 1 verse 15 echoed this.

It is a faithful saying. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1st Timothy 1 15. This is why he came now. Why? Do I emphasize this? Because I must ask you if it is the intention of the Lord Jesus.

To save sinners in his work in his death. Jesus says I came to give my life a ransom for many. The book of Matthew specifically Matthew chapter 20 verse 28. Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.

We've already seen the scriptures teach us that is the giving of his life that results in forgiveness of sins. It results in the atonement the salvation of sinners. If that was his intention that I must ask you did he succeed.

Did he succeed. Did he come to simply make possible the salvation of sinners or did he come to save sinners? Every reference that I have been able to find that speaks of Christ's death in Scripture. Does so in such a way as to give us the understanding that Christ achieved his intended result.

That Christ is victorious. That Christ is successful in his work if he came to save sinners. Then his greatest work. That is his work upon the cross of Calvary. Must then save sinners. You say well, of course everyone believes that.

I Think as we press the matter a little farther, we will discover that not everyone does believe that. We must at this point ask some questions concerning Christ function and work as our high priest as our high priest.

The book of Hebrews presents Jesus Christ as our priest. The book of Hebrews in fact argues very convincingly. That the priesthood of Christ that is the Melchizedek priesthood as it is likened there is Superior to the old priesthood.

The old priesthood Was inhabited by individuals who were themselves in need of forgiveness of sins. The priest who offered the sacrifices had to offer sacrifice for themselves. For they themselves were in need of forgiveness.

The old priesthood we are told had to offer sacrifices over and over and over again and The very fact they had to be offered over and over again pointed out that they were not perfect. In fact, we read in Hebrews chapter 10 that there is a reminder of sin day by day in the offering of these Sacrifices because when you had to keep coming with your sacrifice, it was a continual reminder of your sin.

And it was obvious then that that sacrifice you're offering. It wasn't able to perfect you because if you had to come back again Then that meant the odd sacrifice you offer before it it didn't perfect you it didn't make you sinless.

But the writer of Hebrews says that's past. There's no more offering again and again and again of sacrifices. One sacrifice has been made Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He now stands as our priest. And how what did he offer?

He offered himself and now on the basis of that completed work of Salvation that is in the atonement. He is our intercessor. He is our mediator. He is our advocate as we read in first John to turn with me, please to Hebrews chapter 7.

Hebrews chapter 7 beginning of verse 24 in the previous verses we have seen how these other priests Had to offer sacrifice over and over and over again and how they did not abide forever because they would die.

The beginning of verse 24. Hebrews chapter 7. But he on the other hand Because he abides forever holds his priesthood permanently. The Greek term there is opera baton it refers to someone who holds their priesthood not just with with with long permanence.

But holds his priesthood in such a way that there is no successor to him. No one else holds this priesthood. Anyone who today claims to hold this priesthood is Blaspheming the very Son of God. For he is the one who holds it permanently.

Inviolably he holds his priesthood permanently hence also He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him. Since he always lives to make intercession for them. You hear what he says?

Because he holds his priesthood permanently. Because he abides forever. He is able to save the new American standard says forever to the uttermost. Completely who those who draw near to God through him?

Who are those who draw near to God through him? What did Jesus tell us in John 6 44? Those that the father draws those the father leads to him and why is he able to save them to the uttermost? He always lives to make intercession for them.

Well, why does that mean? That he is able to save them to the uttermost. Why is it that simply because the Lord Jesus forever lives to make intercession for his people? Why does that mean that he is able to save them to the uttermost?

What is Christ doing when he intercedes on our behalf? Is this some new work? What is Christ doing on? What grounds does Christ intercede for you? The the picture when we use the term advocate is one of a of a lawyer.

Standing up to defend a person before the judge and the person is being accused if that's the case on. What grounds could the Lord Jesus possibly? Stand before the father for any one of us all of whom admit we are sinners and intercede on our behalf.

Surely you're beginning to see the picture. He could not simply say Oh father. Just because you're so kind and merciful. Why don't you just let this person off the hook? No, why why would the son never do that.

Because it would abrogate and blaspheme the very holiness of God. God cannot simply wink at sin. Sin must be dealt with and. So if the son ever liveth to make intercession for his people on what grounds does he intercede?

He intercedes on the grounds of his completed work. It is his atonement that forms the grounds of his intercession and When Jesus intercedes before the father it is not as if he is doing something new, but all he is doing is presenting The completed work that is his on Calvary to the father and saying here they are.

Those that God has chosen died in Christ Jesus. We are told we died in union with him and so we stand before God. Just Righteous because of the work of Jesus Christ and when the fought when the son intercedes for us He says father.

I have I have paid the penalty. I have atoned. Reconciliation has taken place. I am the propitiation for this person's sin and we ask the question What is the father's response. Is the work of Christ sufficient then for the father?

Listen to Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11 through 12. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come He entered to the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this creation and not Through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood.

He entered the holy place once for all. What? Having obtained eternal redemption. When Christ enters into the holy place he does so on the basis of his blood his shed blood and As a complete action in the past as as a prize already attained as a work already finished.

We are told that he has obtained eternal redemption. We are not told that he has made possible.

Redemption.

We are not told he has simply opened up the door for redemption. We are not told that he's now done his part and now it's our turn to add our part. The scriptures say he obtained eternal redemption. The question is did he or did he not.

Will we believe the scriptures or will we not? He obtained eternal redemption. Having obtained eternal redemption. Having entered in then on the basis of his blood that is where he there stands. And he is able to save the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he lives to make intercession for them.

He makes intercession on the basis of his atonement. The scriptures speak of Christ's offering of himself. His functioning in the form of a priest the final and last priest in offering of himself. Ephesians 5 to Ephesians 5 to.

And walk in love just as Christ also loved you and Gave himself up for us. And Offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Here clearly Paul is drawing from the Old Testament concepts of the pleasing sacrifice to God and He says Christ has done this on our behalf and that is the greatest demonstration of Islam.

Greatest demonstration of Islam as we'll see later in Ephesians 5. He will again emphasize that. Why am I why am I putting so much time into this? There are those who had wished to separate the work of Christ as intercessor.

From the work of Christ as priest there are those who wish to say Christ as priest offers himself for all. But he only intercedes for Those that will be saved. It's clear to understand why some do this.

It's very understandable. Can we imagine for a moment? Christ failing in his intercession. Can you for a moment? Imagine Christ failing in his intercession. What is the intention of his intercession? Why does he intercede?

To save to the uttermost those who come unto God by him. So if Christ intercedes for you or for you or for you is there even this possibility. That you or you or you or anyone for whom Christ enters into intercession Would not be saved and if it's possible What are we saying about the Lord Jesus Christ the scriptures?

Connect Christ's work as in the intercession and Christ's work as priest as that as as propitiation. There is no way to separate them. I know why some would like to do so because they would like to attempt to make the work of Christ in the atonement a Universal thing but the work of Christ in intercession a specific thing because they recognize not all men are saved.

And I don't want to say that Christ ever ever does not succeed in his intercession. But I don't want to. I don't want to limit that over there. So I've got to separate these two apart, but remember first John 2 1 through 2.

My little children I am writing these things to you that you may not sin and if anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he himself is the propitiation for our sins his advocacy and his being the propitiation.

Together not two separate things. Together it is impossible then that anyone for whom the son died. Will not be a part of his intercession. Think about that. It is impossible for anyone for whom Christ died.

To not be.

In his intercession. Can you imagine Christ? Laying down his life for a person and then when he appears before the father with the with the finished work of the atonement. Well, I I may have died of that person, but I'm not gonna ask you to think about them.

Of course not all those for whom Christ died. He will then present to the father righteous. Holy spotless. Will he not. It is also impossible that anyone for whom? The son did not die could be interceded for.

For there would be no grounds for such an intercession. Do you hear what I'm saying? If Christ does not die for an individual. That person would not be interceded for for our what grounds would Christ intercede on what basis?

There could be no forgiveness of the person's sins if there is no. If there is no atonement if there is no propitiation. It is ridiculous to think that anyone for whom Christ intercedes would not be saved.

For the father always hears the son. John chapter 11 verse 42. This is Jesus his own words when praying to the father. He says. I know that you always hear me. Not only that. But the father and the son must be united in their plans and desires.

Or we have a Schism a contradiction in the very Godhead itself. Can you imagine Christ dying for someone that the father has not intended to save? Can you imagine Christ going this direction? The father's going this direction the spirits go this direction and they're not united in their work.

If anything is clear in the gospel of John. Over and over again Jesus emphasis. I do nothing, but what the father sent me to do. There is perfect harmony between I and the father. I am NOT a renegade.

I am NOT doing my own things. I'm doing what the father sent me to do. Therefore your rejection of me is a rejection of him. There is perfect unity there. It is also quite wrong to assert that Christ is mediator for all men simply because he took on human flesh in the incarnation.

Hebrews chapter 2 indicates that this was so that is his incarnation was so that he could redeem his people not all mankind. And secondly a mediator is always in reference to a covenant. And the covenant is limited to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Not to all men. For many reject the covenant in Christ. Besides Christ when praying in John chapter 17. Specifically and purposely excluded certain men from his prayer when he said I ask on their behalf.