Atonement

Context

Series: Our current series is entitled “The Death of Christ for Us.” We are considering what Jesus tells us and shows us about the significance of his death.

We’ve talked about: devotion, victory, subversion, worship. Today an act of atonement.

Atonement: At-One-Ment. Two parties who should be united have become disconnected, through atonement they are reconciled. We will go more deeply into that during the sermon.

Jesus is in Jerusalem. The leadership recognize him as a teacher and a prophet. Authoritative teaching. Miracles. One of their members - Nicodemus - comes to Jesus for an interview. Trying to understand the essence of what Jesus is about.

This morning’s reading is a portion of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. In Jesus’ discourse, you will hear him refer to an event in the Old Testament.

In the book of Numbers, we are told about an occasion upon which the children of Israel complained against Moses for their hardships while journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land. As a punishment God sent serpents among them. As the serpents bit the Israelites, many of them died. The people repented and asked Moses to pray for them. God directed Moses to forge a bronze serpent and to place it on a pole. The people were commanded to look at it, and when they did, they were healed of their wounds and their lives were saved. (Numbers 21:6)

Jesus recalls this story to Nicodemus’ mind and uses it as a comparison to his own ministry.

Scripture Reading

John 3:14–21 ESV

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Introduction

In 1935 Akron, Ohio, as the outcome of a meeting between Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., an Akron surgeon, a movement began. They shared a problem and joined together to form a fellowship to overcome it.

That fellowship is called Alcoholics Anonymous. Their mission: to help people people solve their drinking problem.  It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. Today, Alcoholics Anonymous estimates that it has helped over 2 million people find sobriety.

AAS developed what is today known as the 12-Step program. First Three steps.

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

AA is not a Christian organization. Yet they are tapping into universal truths that can be traced to the very source of Truth, Jesus Christ.

Exegesis 1: Admit Sin

Jesus compares himself to the serpent lifted up by Moses.

The Israelites had sinned against God. Not for the firs time. God had brought them out of Egypt, but they couldn’t muster consistent faith and obedience.

Numbers 11:1 — complaining about travelling, food and manna.

Spies into Canaan, but won’t go in. Numbers 13.

Rebellion against Moses’ leadership, when all are “holy.” Numbers 16.

Lack of water. Numbers 20.

Numbers 21. Complaint against God and Moses. Just in this wilderness to kill us! They were being plagued by serpents. Many were bitten and died.

God commands a bronze serpent to be set up. All that look to it would be saved.

They had to look at a symbol of their sin to be healed.

Jesus says that he is like the bronze serpent.

Comparison: God’s people are sin-sick.

We all like sheep go astray. Isa 53:6.

Ps 14.1. Ps. 53:1. There is none who are righteous, not even one.

God’s people are suffering the consequences of sin all the time. Like serpents among them.

broken relationships, conflict, death. Temptation, wrong desires, leads to sin, and sin fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” 1 Cor. 15:55. The sting of death is sin.

Jesus says, that the cure to this is going to be a new bronze serpent being lifted up. Himself on the cross.

Horrible, painful, shameful death.

Why was it so violent? So we could see the harm that sin does. We cannot see our souls but we can see our bodies. We can see Jesus’ body suffering the consequences of sin, so we can imagine what is happening to our souls.

Implication 1: I am a sinner.

We have to reckon with that reality before the gospel becomes valuable, desirable.

The first step to dealing with a problem is to admit that you have a problem.

AA: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol. There was a problem of body, mind, spirit.

cloudy thinking

broken relationships

body wasting away.

Motivated us to seek help.

prob revealed motivates!

cure for cancer, but I don’t have cancer!

We all struggle with a disease that is called SIN.

Disease of body, mind, and spirit.

Everything in us that is contrary to love of God, love of others, love of self.

Affects us ALL.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive only ourselves. 1 John 1:8.

Jesus goes to the cross as a sinner — like a mirror — to FREE us to be able to admit: I am a sinner.

The John 3:16 Mirror (John 3:16) A banker in New York had a great desire to get the gospel message to the soldiers at Sandy Hook, but was not permitted to carry the glad tidings to them in person. So he called on a firm which manufactured advertising novelties and had them make several thousand small mirrors about three inches in diameter. On the celluloid back of each of these mirrors he had printed the words of John 3:16; and beneath the words of this inscription was written: “If you wish to see who it is that God loves, and for whom He gave His Son, look on the other side.” — AMG Bible Illustrations. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2000. Print. Bible Illustrations Series.

Gospel Truth #1: I am a sinner and need help!

Exegesis 2: Place faith in Jesus

Jesus reminded Nicodemus that Moses set up the serpent so people could be saved.

Moses set up the serpent not to say — this is why you are dying! What good would that do? That would just be condemnation.

He set ups the serpent so they could look at it and LIVE.

God was willing to save the people.

Jesus says, my ministry is like that.

Jesus says that God sees a whole world full of sinners. He sees that they are suffering from sin and dying.

God does not want to condemn them, but to save them.

John 3:16: God so loves the world that he sent his Son, so that any who believe in him would not perish but have eternal life.

God sets up a new bronze serpent so that any who looked at it would live. Jesus giving a clear echo.

Jesus will be lifted upon a new pole — the cross.

Those who look to Jesus will live.

Jesus on the cross is an act of Atonement/Ransom. Paying the penalty for the sin.

His suffering atones for our sin.

Isa 53. We considered him stricken by God. Yet the chastisement of our sins was upon him. By his wounds we are healed.

If we have looked at our sins and thought they deserve punishment, even the death penalty. We can see it carried out on Christ.

1 John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Men were sinners and their plight serious indeed….they needed help…and how willing God was to provide it.

Implication 2: Jesus is Savior

One pastor had 600 sermon outlines on John 3:16. If we lost every other text, but had this one, it would be enough.

Another pastor, I never attempt to preach on it; I can only go around it and around it….too big!

God’s very words of rescue, invoke endless talk and silence of awe.

12-Step #2: We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

OUTSIDE POWER. 12-steppers look at their problem as life-threatening and look to a “higher” power which is greater than the problem and that is greater than themselves.

for some, that higher power may be their family, fellowship of AA. Could be God, however they understand God.

As Christians, who know that we struggle with the life-threatening disease of sin, to our highest power: Jesus.

Living in sin is a kind of insanity. Making the same mistakes over and over and yet expecting different results.

Break the cycle by looking to Jesus to rescue.

There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

Gospel Truth #2: Jesus is Savior.

Exegesis 3: Live for him

Numbers 21:9 “So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if (Whenever) a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”

They may have gotten bit over and over again. But they could always look to the serpent.

The mechanism for salvation was enduring. Bronze serpent at the center, accessible place.

So with Jesus,

When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself. John 12:32.

An atonement once and for all. Let us go boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in our time of need.

By focusing on Christ crucified, Christians were able to combat sin and live in new ways.

Christ crucified the power and wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 1:24.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Implication 3: Jesus is Lord.

AA #3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Turn our will and our lives. A surrender of self to God.

Every time the sting of desire for drink, run to the higher power.

Again, larger picture. When we feel the sting of sin, we run to Jesus our higher power.

Colossians 1:21–23 “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, …, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, .…”

Oh that you would know the power of God at work in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Eph. 1:20.

Surrender of ourselves to God in Christ.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

The cross, empty, is always centrally placed: Jesus lifted up so that we can turn ourselves over to him every day. One day at a time!,

Gospel #3: Jesus, the Savior is also Lord.

Conclusion

AA a 12 step program. Picture in relief that helps us see a bigger issue before us all.

2 million people helped.

Gospel to help all people of all times and places, you and I.

We have a problem Sin. Christ enables us to admit

Jesus atones for our sin. He offers a solution.

Jesus wants us to look to him continually. So we can live in new life.

Prayer of Intercession

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Confident in God’s love and mercy, let us pray for the world and for our needs, saying, Merciful God, hear our prayer.

Holy God, you created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Eph. 2:10

Help those who profess faith in Christ to do good in the world, following the way of life you have prepared for those who believe in him. For the church of Jesus Christ, Merciful God, hear our prayer.

Your children walk by your light, doing what is true. Eph. 2:8–9 Yet salvation is not earned by good works, but through trust in your grace. Dispel from your children arrogance of heart, that the world may be drawn to your truth by their humble witness. Merciful God, hear our prayer.

In every age you call forth men and women of integrity to lead your people in the way of righteousness. Help pastors and teachers fulfill their calling; give them courage to speak the truth in love, and shield them from temptation to misuse their authority. For pastors and teachers, Merciful God, hear our prayer.

God, your reign encompasses all the earth,though the nations may rebel against your justice. Save the nations from the wrath of their disobedience. Help them to dwell in peace and promote the common good. For governments and leaders, Merciful God, hear our prayer.

You hear the cry of the sick and the afflicted. Ps. 107:17–20 Save them from their distress, heal them of their disease, and deliver them from the destructive power of suffering. For all who sorrow in distress, Merciful God, hear our prayer.

O God, in Jesus Christ John 3:16 you have shown your love for the world. Receive our prayers, grant us what we need, save us from perishing, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.