3v3

THE REAL GOAT

Bottom Line: Jesus isn’t just the greatest ever — He’s the only one who can save you.

GOAT = God • Only Way • Atonement • Truth

INTRO

Alright, we have to settle a debate tonight.

When it comes to basketball, there is a debate that has been going on for years — and it’s this,

SLIDE - Who is the GOAT of basketball?

Some say it’s Michael Jordan because he has:

6 NBA Championships

6 Finals MVPs (never lost a Finals)

10 scoring titles

Known for being the most clutch player ever

Some say it’s LeBron James because he has:

Unreal longevity (20+ elite seasons)

All-time leading scorer in NBA history

4 NBA Championships with 3 different teams

One of the most complete players ever (scoring, passing, rebounding)

Has dominated multiple eras.

So honestly, there’s an argument to be made for both of them.

But here’s the thing.

Everyone loves to debate the GOAT of basketball.

Jordan.

LeBron.

But tonight, I want to take a step back and look at the word “GOAT.”

Not as an athlete. But how the Bible actually uses that word.

Because when you open the Bible a goat isn’t a symbol of Basketball greatness.

It’s a symbol of something much deeper.

BIBLICAL TURN

In the Old Testament, in the book of Leviticus, there was a day called the Day of Atonement.

And on that day, two goats were brought before the priest.

One goat was killed and its blood was shed as a sacrifice for sin.

Because sin has a cost.

Sin isn’t small.

Sin isn’t just a mistake.

Sin is rebellion against a holy God.

And the payment for sin… is death.

But there was a second goat.

The priest would lay his hands on this goat and symbolically place the sins of the people onto it.

And then that goat would be sent away into the wilderness.

Carrying their sin

Carrying their guilt

Far away from them.

One goat shows the cost of sin.

The other shows the removal of sin.

But here’s what’s important.

Neither of those goats actually took sin away.

They were pointing to something greater.

They were pointing to someone who was coming.

They were pointing to the promise of a savior, a promise from God to send his Son Jesus to live a perfect life and die a death we deserve because of sin.

So yeah, we can debate the GOAT of Basketball but the real Goat that we all need is Jesus.

SLIDE — Jesus is the real GOAT

And tonight we’re going to use the word GOAT as an acronym - To show you four truths about who Jesus is and what He’s done FOR YOU!

Turn in personal here

But before we go any further, there’s something you need to understand.

There are four types of people in this room tonight.

Group 1 are the people who are truly following Him.

There are those of you who follow Jesus… but you’ve never taken the next step of going public with your faith through baptism.

There are those of you who don’t follow Jesus. You don't trust him as your lord and savior.

There are those of you who say you follow Jesus but if we looked at your life, there would be no evidence. You’re trying to live off the faith of the people around you—your parents, your friends, your leaders—but it’s not your own.

So the question tonight is simple:

SLIDE — Which one are you?

This is the question I want us to answer tonight as we use the Word Goat as an acronym - To show you four truths about who Jesus is and what He’s done FOR us

Prayer

G — GOD

John 1:1 say this about Jesus,

John 1:1

SLIDE - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

What John is Teaching us here is this,

SLIDE - The Word” = Jesus

This means Jesus didn’t just come from God - He didn’t just speak for God - Jesus is God.

SLIDE - G — GOD

But Jesus takes it a step further and in John 10:30 Jesus says this,

John 10:30 (ESV)

SLIDE - “I and the Father are one.”

That’s not Jesus saying, “We’re similar.”

That’s not Jesus saying, “We’re close.”

That’s Jesus saying— I am equal with God.

So don’t miss this:

Jesus isn’t just a good teacher.

He’s not just a religious leader.

He isn't just a man who lived 2000 years ago.

No he is - God in the flesh.

And here’s the crazy part— the One who created the universe stepped into the universe He created - Not because He had to— but because He wanted a relationship with you.

Because He saw you in your sin

He saw you in your brokenness

and he didn't stay distant.

TRANSITION

And if that’s true - if Jesus really is God in the flesh who stepped into our world to rescue us— Because if He’s God - He doesn’t just get a place in your life— He deserves your whole life.

And what Jesus says next - Changes everything.

O — ONLY WAY

John 14:6 - Jesus says this,

SLIDE - “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

We live in a culture where there are so many different religions, so many different opinions, and so many different voices all claiming to have the answer.

People will say,

Just be a good person.

Find your own truth.

All roads lead to God.

But Jesus doesn’t leave room for that.

Jesus doesn’t say a way—He says the way.

Jesus doesn’t say a truth—He says the truth.

Jesus doesn’t say a life—He says the life.

That means Jesus isn’t just one option among many—He’s the only way to salvation. He’s the only person that can save you from your sins.

Truth 2 tonight is simple One way.

SLIDE -

G — GOD

O - Only Way

TRANSITION

Now that raises a real question.

Why would Jesus say He’s the only way?

Why not multiple ways?

Why not just be a good person?

Why not just try your best?

The answer is because of something the Bible says about every single one of us.

We have a sin problem.

The reason Jesus is the only way is because sin is real. And sin separates us from God.

Truth 3 - Atonement

Romans 3:23

SLIDE - “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Every single person in this room…

Me included - Has sinned.

Not just once.

Not just a little.

But in a way that separates us from a Holy God.

But Students there is Good News in this -

And truth 3 tonight is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21

SLIDE - 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

Let me show you what that means.

Jesus—who never

Sinned

never lied

never messed up

became sin for us.

That doesn’t mean He became sinful—it means He took our sin on Himself.

So truth 3 tonight is

SLIDE -

G - GOD

O - One Way

A - Atonement

SLIDE - Atonement = Jesus didn’t ignore your sin—He paid for it.

Jesus took your place - so you could take His.

He took your guilt - so you could walk in freedom.

He took your punishment - so you could receive forgiveness.

TRANSITION

Jesus was the atonement sacrifice.

And that leads us to the Last point of tonight -

T — TRUTH

John 8:31–32

SLIDE - “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

The Last point for tonight is simple this

The T in Goat stands for TRUTH

SLIDE -

G - GOD

O - One Way

A - Atonement

T - Truth

Jesus says something powerful:

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Our culture says truth is whatever you feel.

Whatever works for you.

Whatever makes you happy.

But Jesus says truth is not something you create

It’s something you come to know.

And even deeper than that—Truth is not just an idea

Truth is a person.

And His name is Jesus and tonight you have heard the truth of the Gospel, you have heard the Truth of Who Jesus is and what he did for you.

TRANSITION TO RESPONSE

BC if the truth sets you free then you have seen the Truth tonight,

Jesus is God.

Jesus is the only way.

Jesus made atonement for your sin.

And Jesus is the truth that sets you free.

But now it comes down to this -

A decision.

And tonight, there are some of you in this room who need to start following Jesus and in the moment you can feel that in your heart. Bc Jesus is tugging at you, so don't ignore it.

SET THE MOMENT

I’m going to ask everyone in the room to do something with me.

Go ahead and bow your head and close your eyes.

(Pause… let the room settle)

PERSONAL REFLECTION

In the quiet of this moment - I want you to be honest with yourself.

Do you follow Jesus or not?

Are you someone who truly follows Jesus? If you die tonight will you go to heaven?

Are you someone who says you believe but you’ve never actually trusted Him as your Savior?

Or maybe you know for sure - You don’t follow Jesus at all.

(Pause — let it sit)

CLARIFY THE GOSPEL

Here's what I want you to know tonight, The Bible says that all of us have sinned.

And because of that, we are separated from God.

But Jesus came

Lived a perfect life

Died on the cross for your sin

And rose again three days later.

And now He offers you

Forgiveness

New life

And a relationship with Him.

Not because you earned it - But because He loves you.

INVITE TO RESPOND

I want to give you an opportunity to do that right now. If you want to start following Jesus tonight repeat this prayer after me.

PRAYER

Jesus, I know that I’ve sinned and I know I can’t save myself. But I believe you died for me. And I believe You rose again. Tonight, I turn from my sin And I trust You as my Savior.Help me follow You from this day forward. Amen.

CALL TO ACTION

Now with every head still bowed and every eye still closed…

If you just made that decision tonight— if you just said yes to Jesus

Would you slip your hand up?

(Pause)

Keep your hand up for just a moment and look up at me.

Hey—I’m so proud of you.This is the best decision you will ever make in your life.

And now I’m going to ask you to do something bold.

I’m going to ask you to stand up and walk to the back of the room.

Not to embarrass you—but because following Jesus starts with a step.

And tonight… This is your step.

(Pause)

If that’s you - Right now—Stand up…and walk to the back.

Pastor Aaron is back there waiting for you. You can bring a friend with you if that makes you more comfortable.

Small group leaders—go ahead and move to the back and meet them.

(Pause as they move)

Church, let’s celebrate what God is doing right now!

End in a closer prayer