THE VICTORY MODEL OF THE ATONEMENT

Message by Josh Mutter – February 25, 2024

The atonement is 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

VICTORY MODEL: Jesus conquered sin through his death and resurrection, freeing us and reconciling humanity with God.

Colossians 2:15 NIV And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

A. Outline of Victory Model

1. Sin is a fundamental problem

Romans 3:23a NIV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23a NIV For the wages of sin is death …

2. Sin places humanity under the influence of evil spiritual forces

Ephesians 2:1-3a NIV As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

3. Jesus’ death serves as the payment that frees us from captivity.

Mark 10:45 NIV For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many..

4. Jesus’ death and resurrection breaks the power of sin.

Colossians 2:15 NIV And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

5. Jesus’ victory restores our relationship with God.

Romans 5:10 NIV 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!

B. Cons of Understanding the Atonement as Victory

1. It can lack clarity about how victory is achieved

2. It can seem to give Satan too much power

3. It de-emphasizes God’s holiness and justice

4. It can have a limited focus on individual redemption

C. Pros of Understanding the Atonement as Victory

1. It has an emphasis on Jesus redeeming all of creation

2. It offers a way of understanding the redemption story in scripture

3. It is consistent with Jesus’ teachings on peace

4. It offers us hope and inspiration

Romans 7:15,19 NIV For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing.

You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.