First Sunday in Lent (2026)

Exactly What I Need: A Champion

Text: Romans 5:12–19 Supporting: Genesis 3:1–15; Matthew 4:1–11

Goal

That the hearers would trust Jesus as the Champion God provided—the second Adam whose obedience and victory secure life, righteousness, and salvation for them.

Malady

We are defeated people. In Adam we fell, and we continue to fall—under sin, temptation, death, and the devil—unable to rescue ourselves.

Means

God sent His Son as our Champion. Through Christ’s obedience, suffering, and victory, we receive righteousness and life as a gift.

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Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Last Wednesday we began our Lenten journey with a simple confession: “I didn’t know I needed that.”

On Ash Wednesday we learned what we need most is forgiveness.

Today we discover the next truth: What I really need… is a Champion.

Because when you look honestly at your life—and at the world—you realize something uncomfortable.

We are not winning the fight.

I. The Reality: We Are Defeated People

St. Paul says in Romans:

“Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men…” (Romans 5:12)

Genesis 3 tells the story.

God created Adam in righteousness. Peace with God. Harmony with creation. Life without death.

And Adam lost it.

He listened to the serpent. He did not trust God’s Word. He chose himself over God.

And when Adam fell… we fell with him.

Paul makes a staggering claim:

Through one trespass came condemnation for all men.

This is not merely imitation. This is participation.

Adam was humanity’s representative.

Like a king’s champion fighting for his people, Adam stood for us. And he lost.

Adam’s sin poisoned the source of humanity itself—so that death reigned over all from that moment forward. 

Which means:

—You were born into defeat.

—You don’t become a sinner when you sin.

—You sin because you are a sinner.

And we feel this defeat every day.

The world pressures us to conform.

Your sinful flesh pulls us toward what we know is wrong.

The devil tempts us again and again.

And your body is aging toward death.

Your impending death is proof. And as a reminder, we have two funerals scheduled for this week alone!

Adam lost the battle. We cannot fix what Adam broke.

You cannot rescue yourself from sin. You cannot defeat death. You cannot overcome Satan by mere willpower.

We need someone else to fight for us. We need a Champion.

II. The Promise: God Promised a Champion

That is exactly what God promised in Genesis 3.

Right after Adam’s fall, God spoke to the serpent:

“He will crush your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

A Champion was coming. A descendant of the woman.

Someone who would do what Adam could not. Someone who would fight—and win.

God promised to send His Champion, His Son, to do in our place what we could not do. 

From the very beginning of human history, the story has been about this Champion.

III. The Battle: Jesus Fights for Us

And in Matthew 4 we see the battle begin.

Jesus enters the wilderness.

Forty days of hunger. Isolation. Weakness.

And Satan attacks.

Notice the contrast with Adam.

Adam was tempted in paradise—with abundance.

Jesus is tempted in the wilderness—with nothing.

Adam had everything—and failed.

Jesus had nothing—and obeyed.

Every temptation Satan throws at Him, Jesus answers with the Word of God.

Where Adam doubted God’s Word… Jesus trusts it perfectly.

Where Adam chose himself… Jesus chooses the Father.

Where Adam lost… Jesus wins.

Your Champion wins.

IV. The Victory: One Man Changes Everything

Paul drives this home in Romans 5:

“For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

Two men. Two representatives. Two outcomes.

Adam → sin, condemnation, death. Christ → righteousness, justification, life.

And here is the Gospel: Christ’s victory counts as yours.

His obedience becomes your righteousness. His death becomes your forgiveness. His resurrection becomes your life.

Christ’s grace doesn’t merely balance Adam’s sin—it overflows beyond it. 

Your Champion didn’t just repair the damage.

He overwhelmed it.

V. The Cost: Our Champion Fought Unto Death

But this victory was not cheap.

Remember Genesis 3:

“You shall bruise his heel.”

The serpent would wound the Champion.

And he did.

At the cross.

Jesus fought sin by becoming sin. He fought death by dying. He fought Satan by bearing accusation.

Your Champion fought the battle none of us could fight…

And He fought it alone.

And He won.

VI. The Gift: Victory Given to You

Paul says repeatedly in this text:

Gift. Gift. Gift.

This victory is not earned. It is given.

You receive it by faith.

And today… we get to see exactly how God delivers that victory.

Because four people will be baptized into Christ.

That is not just a nice ceremony. That is not just a family milestone. That is not simply a church tradition.

It is a battlefield transfer.

In Holy Baptism, God takes someone who was born in Adam… and places them into Christ.

St. Paul says elsewhere:

“All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death… so that just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”

Which means:

—Christ’s death becomes their death to sin. —Christ’s resurrection becomes their new life. —Christ’s victory becomes their victory.

Today God is doing exactly what Romans 5 promises.

Through the obedience of the one Man… the many are made righteous.

These four are not being baptized into an idea.

They are being baptized into a Champion.

Into His triumph over Satan. Into His righteousness before the Father. Into His resurrection life that death cannot destroy.

And here is the comfort for every one of you who is baptized:

What God is doing for them today… He has already done for you.

You are not defined by Adam anymore.

You are defined by Christ.

You are not condemned.

You are justified.

You are not defeated.

You are victorious.

Because your Champion lives.

VII. Exactly What I Need

This is the heart of Lent.

“I didn’t know I needed that.”

But now you do.

You don’t need better discipline. You don’t need more effort. You don’t need spiritual self-improvement.

You need a Champion.

And God has given you one.

Jesus Christ.

The second Adam.

The obedient Son.

The conqueror of Satan.

The destroyer of death.

Your Champion.

Conclusion

So when temptation comes… and it will… remember: your Champion has already won.

When guilt accuses you… remember: your Champion has paid.

When death frightens you… remember: your Champion lives. And because death could not hold Him remember: it will not hold you either.

Oh, one day you may very well be placed into a box and lowered into the ground… remember: it is only for a little while, because as Christ Jesus rose from the dead so will you!

And that promise is certain, because you have already died and risen with Christ in your Baptism.

Because through the obedience of the one man…

—You have righteousness.

—You have life.

—You have victory.

Exactly what you need.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Lord God, heavenly Father, in mercy You sent Your Son into our world as the second Adam, our Champion, to defeat sin, death, and the devil for us. Strengthen Your Church throughout the world to proclaim with confidence the victory of Christ crucified and risen, that many may come to trust in Him for righteousness and life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we confess that in Adam we are fallen and defeated, unable to rescue ourselves from sin. Guard us against the temptations of the world, the weakness of our sinful flesh, and the attacks of the devil. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us steadfast in Your Word, that we may cling to Christ alone as our Champion and Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious God, today You bring four individuals to the waters of Holy Baptism. Pour out Your Spirit upon them, that they may be united with Christ in His death and resurrection, clothed in His righteousness, and made heirs of eternal life. Preserve them in the true faith all their days, that the victory of Christ may remain their confidence in life and in death. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty Father, strengthen all who are preparing for Baptism, confirmation, or renewed faith during this Lenten season. Lead us all to repentance and faith, that we may daily drown the old Adam within us and arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Compassionate Lord, we pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Especially we pray for those who are ill, hospitalized, recovering, or burdened with anxiety and grief. Remind them that their Champion has already overcome every enemy and that nothing can separate them from Your love in Christ Jesus. Grant healing according to Your will, strength in weakness, and peace in every trial. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, we remember those who mourn and those facing death, especially as we prepare for funerals this week. Comfort them with the promise that Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Give us faith to trust that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, so also all who belong to Him shall rise. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of all nations, grant wisdom and integrity to those who govern, protect those who serve in harm’s way, and preserve peace among nations. Restrain evil and uphold justice, that we may live quiet and godly lives in all dignity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our victorious Champion and Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.