Core Truth #4

The following is from our Contagious lesson at youth group this week.  We are in a series based out of  Stand: Core Truths You Must Know For An Unshakable Faith, by Alex McFarland.

Atonement - Christians Believe Jesus Paid For Their Sins

Many Christians struggle with accepting this truth.  Now at first some say, "yes, I believe this truth", but if you threw out the name of someone that we consider in our minds to be a "worse" sinner, someone like a mass murderer or Osama bin Laden, and the answer may change to "no".  But we must grasp this core truth for two reasons:

1.  It will help us in dealing with our own sin

2.  It will help us in reaching out to others with the love of Christ

Jesus Paid for the Sins of the World

Atonement = payment for a debt

Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, not just for our sins but the sins of the whole world.  I John 2:2

Whole means whole, everyone, no matter who they are or what they have done.  He died for all that includes me, that includes you, that includes the worst person on the face of this planet that we can think of.

Christ's payment is complete, in full, total payment.

Enough Forgiveness to Go Around

There is no one that God won't forgive.  There are a lot of people on this planet, billions.  Think about this:  God not only has enough forgiveness for everyone on this planet and this very moment but he has enough forgiveness for everyone in the past, everyone in the present, and everyone in the future.  His forgiveness does not and will not run out.  

As a 7 year old boy God forgave me, the murder on death row who accepts Jesus as Savior, God forgives him the same way He forgave me.

No Standbys in Heaven

Aren't we glad heaven doesn't work like a standby ticket at the airport?  Just hanging around waiting and hoping we get on board.  We can know we are going to heaven if we have trusted Jesus as Savior, accepting his gift of forgiveness and eternal life.  

I'm glad that God doesn't offer forgiveness for only some but that He offers this forgiveness for all.  John the baptist said:

"Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

Basic Facts About the Atonement

Atonement means "to make payments for a debt."

Most of us would understand taking on the responsibility of our debts but would we be willing to take on the debt of strangers?  What about taking on the debt of someone that hated you, didn't love you or even give a rip about you?

I don't know about you but I'm glad that God didn't respond to our debt that way.

Atonement is Needed Because of the High Cost of Sin

(read Romans 5:10-11)

The human race has a huge sin debt.  Jesus Christ sacrificed his life on a mountain sized altar outside of Jerusalem when he died on the cross for my sin and for yours.

Parent/teen discipleship:

Read the following verses together with (let them read, take turns reading) your teen.  Discuss with them and ask their opinion of what they think is the meaning of these verses:

Ezra 9:15; I John 2:2; John 1:29; Psalm 100:3; Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23;Revelation 21:27; Romans 5:10-11; Mark 1:45; Ephesians 1:7

(Next Week: Why Atonement Matters)