Sermons on Atonement
Galatians 3:13–14
In Galatians 3:13–14, the Apostle Paul brings his argument for justification by faith to its Christ-centered climax. After showing that the Spirit, the Scriptures, and even the law itself testify that sinners cannot be justified by works, Paul now explains how salvation is actually accomplished: through the cursed death of Christ on the cross. This passage shows that justification by faith is not an abstract theological principle but is grounded entirely in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Paul insists…
Galatians 1:1–5
In this opening message from our series on Galatians, we see that Paul’s greeting is much more than a formality—it is a preview of the gospel itself. Paul emphasizes that his apostleship comes not from man, but from Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. And the heart of his message is this: “Christ gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father, to whom be glory forever…
Genesis 22:1-19 (Part 2)
In Genesis 22:1-19 God tests Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his own son as a burnt offering. When the Angel of the LORD stops Abraham at the last moment, the story does not end. Abraham then sees a ram caught in a thicket and recognizes that God has provided a substitute for his son. The ram as a substitute for Isaac provides a fundamental principle for atonement, namely, that it is substitutionary. This is the same thing that we…
Matthew 1:18-25
If Christ really is fully God and fully man, if this glorious incarnation has truly happened, what is its purpose? Why did God actually become man? We are told the answer in the record of his birth in Matthew 1:18-25. He came to save his people from their sins. This he did by dying. The Son of God became man, so that he might die.
Revelation 5:1-14
In Revelation 5:1-14 no one is found worthy to open the scroll with its seals except the lamb slain. Christ’s glory and worthiness is in His death, whereby He has begun to reign. He is, therefore, worthy to be worshipped forever for redeeming a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
Revelation 1:4-8
Revelation 1:4-8 contains a greeting from the triune God and a doxology of Christ, who saved sinners from their sins and who is coming back to judge the world. God is glorious and worthy of praise in light of who He is and what He’s done to save sinners.
Matthew 16:21-23
In Matthew 16:21-23, immediately after Peter’s confession of faith, Christ predicts His own death. This is all the more shocking as it comes right after the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Though contrary to thinking according to the flesh, this death and resurrection is necessary. Christ rebukes Peter for not recognizing this and thereby affirms that His death and resurrection is the plan of God.
Romans 3:21-26
How does Christ’s death relate to Christ’s work as a prophet? Christ’s death reveals who God is. In Romans 3:21-26 Paul speaks about the way in which Christ’s death shows God to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Christ. Christ’s death shows forth the righteousness of God. The cross does not only reveal these things about God but is the perfect revelation of God. All of God’s attributes are revealed in the death…
Hebrews 10:11-18
In Hebrews 10:11-18 the author brings the longest theological section of the book to a close. Summing up his previous arguments he notes that the priests stand each day offering the same sacrifices that cannot take away sins, whereas Christ has once and for all been seated at the right hand of the Father, having definitively completed His work. All of this forms the basis for the exhortations to follow: Since we have a great high priest, let us hold…
Hebrews 10:1-10
In Hebrews 10:1-10 the author contrasts the efficacy of the blood of bulls and goats to that of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, but Christ, as the Son of God who became man, is able to cleanse all those who come to Him from their sins. Pastor Grasso highlights in this way the significance of the incarnation for atonement.
Hebrews 9:23-28
In Hebrews 9:23-28 the author explains the cleansing power of Christ’s blood. Pastor Grasso explains the distinction between propitiation and expiation to understand these two elements of the atonement. Propitiation is the satisfaction of God’s wrath. Expiation is cleansing from sin. Christ’s blood, however, has a cosmic element to its cleansing. As Adam’s fall resulted in the world being subject to corruption, so too, in Christ’s death, the world is cleansed so as to bring forth a new creation.
Hebrews 9:15-22
In Hebrews 9:15-22 the author explains the significance of Christ being the mediator of the new covenant. As the mediator of the covenant He had to die to instituted the testamentary aspect of the covenant. Is the new covenant a testament? Yes, because it grants the right to an inheritance. The glory of the mediator is seen in that by His blood this inheritance is now in place for His people and by that same blood He has cleansed us…
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