THE PAYMENT MODEL OF THE ATONEMENT
Message by Josh Mutter – February 18, 2024
atonement: the work of Jesus through his life, death and resurrection to reconcile humanity with God.
SERIES BIG IDEA: What Jesus accomplished on the cross is so big that we need different perspectives on the atonement to appreciate what Jesus has done for us and for our world
Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 5:8-10 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
PAYMENT MODEL (aka Penal Substitionary Atonement): Jesus bore the punishment for our sins through his death, satisfying the demands of God’s justice, and resulting in forgiveness and reconciliation with God for those who believe in Jesus.
A. Outline of Payment Model
1. Humans are inherently sinful
Romans 3:23 NIV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2. The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God.
Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Jesus became the substitute for humanity, bearing the penalty of sin in our place.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Jesus satisfied the demands of justice and reconciled humanity to God.
Romans 5:9-10 NIV Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
5. Those who accept Jesus as their Saviour receive the benefits of His sacrifice.
Romans 10:9-10,13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved … For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
B. Cons of Understanding the Atonement as Payment
1. It has a limited understanding of atonement
2. It can be understood as promoting violence and retributive justice
3. It appears that God’s justice and love conflict
C. Pros of Understanding the Atonement as Payment
1. It has strong Biblical support
2. It underscores the seriousness of sin
3. It offers us the assurance of salvation
4. It encourages a personal response
APPLICATION
1. Be honest with ourselves
2. Accept that we have been forgiven
3. Apply our forgiveness to our relationships with others
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
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