The Essentials with Sarah | The Atonement for Sin (Conclusion)

"Therefore, when we were perishing and, alienated from God, were hastening to hell, Christ took upon Himself the filthy depths of our sins, to rescue us from eternal destruction."  - John Calvin,  French theologian, pastor and reformer (1509-1564)

Hello, and welcome back! Atonement is deemed a foundational belief within both Judaism and Christianity, which maintain that humans must "atone for" (reconcile) their sins against God.

Previously, we examined atonement in the OT and its deep connection with the God-established, sacrificial system of the Israelites. Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) was the most important day for atonement in the Jewish Calendar.

In this session our focus will turn to atonement in Christianity, or otherwise known as the belief that human beings can be reconciled to, or reunited with, God through the sacrificial suffering and death of Jesus Christ. 

As you may remember, to atone for sins means to make amends or reparations for wrongdoing, seeking to reconcile with God after transgressing His laws or expectations. 

This commonly includes repentance, remorse, and actions that reveal a change of heart and behavior. In the NT, the Greek word for "atonement" is καταλλαγή (katallage), which means "reconciliation" or "restoration of relationship." 

Jesus Christ is presented in the NT as the ultimate accomplishment of the OT sacrificial system. His death on the cross dramatically illustrates the perfect and final atonement for sin. 

The NT often uses the Greek word "hilasterion" (ἱλαστήριον) to describe Christ's atoning work, signifying a propitiation (the turning away of God's wrath), or expiation (the cleansing of sin and removal of its guilt).

Romans 3:25 emphasizes that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ fulfills the requirements of God's justice, thus allowing God to forgive sins while maintaining His righteousness. 

The superiority of of Christ's atonement compared to the OT sacrifices is detailed in Hebrews 9:12. This underscores that the atonement of Christ is final and absolute, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant (Mosaic covenant).

Atonement is fundamental to Christian theology in that it calls attention to the problem of sin, and the method by which we can be reconciled to God. It also reveals the holiness and justice of God, who can't ignore sin, and His love and mercy, which makes redemption possible through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Additionally, the concept of "substitutionary atonement" is illustrated here in the doctrine of atonement. This is where Christ takes the place of sinners and endures the penalty they deserve (Isaiah 53:5).

Let's quickly examine some practical implications of this for Christian believers. The atonement of Christ is essential to salvation and the promise of forgiveness. It demands a declaration of faith, repentance, and gratitude.

The atonement also provides a model for faithful, Christian living. Believers are inspired to live unselfishly, and to restore and repair damaged relationships with others (2 Corinthians 5:18).

On a final note, as we saw in our discussion, atonement is a powerfully, sophisticated, and consequential doctrine (principle) that makes manifest the magnitude of God's love and the gravity of sin.

Through the sacrifice of Christ we are offered hope, redemption, exoneration (forgiveness), declared righteous, and are even adopted into God's family. One can confidently assert that it is impossible to sufficiently summarize the spiritual benefits and gifts received through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Exodus 29:36; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 4:5; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:12 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I approach you with a humble heart, acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. I confess that I've strayed from your path, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I ask for your forgiveness, your cleansing, and your grace to renew my spirit and restore me to your love. Amen.

May you always feel God's love,

Sarah

Weekend Message | Chrystal Evans Hurst: God is Not Disappointed in You | FULL EPISODE | Better Together on TBN

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's our pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

This week we present another full episode of Better Together on TBN! Bestselling author Chrystal Evans Hurst reveals why we should never worry about being a disappointment to God. 

Maybe you're afraid to express your true feelings to the Lord because someone said that it's wrong to be angry with Him? Or perhaps you're hesitant to bring your struggles or sinfulness to him fearing that you might make him angry or disappoint him?

© Better Together on TBN

Some of the topics discussed in this video presentation are:

• Changing Roles As You Follow God's Direction
• Disappointment Leads to Spiritual Maturity
• What Happens When We Feel Like God Let Us Down
• Giving God Full Control
• Prayer for Trust and Contentment as God Leads Us

Join the conversation as Laurie Crouch, Christine Caine, Lisa Harper and Christy Wright join Chrystal Evans Hurst to discuss trusting God and understanding His faithfulness.

Even if you aren't experiencing this today, there's still lots of great and insightful information that can be put to use if and when you need it!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Don't Let Mistakes Define You!

"Don't be bound by the past and its failures. But don't forget its lessons either."  - Billy Graham, American evangelist (1918-2018)

The phrase "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is often attributed to the Spanish-born American author and philosopher George Santayana. 

The phrase underscores the significance of understanding past events in order to avoid repeating mistakes. It in turn helps us make better decisions in the present and future. 

Learning from the past is also a motif or pattern that can followed throughout Scripture. We'll examine some examples and teachings demonstrating the importance of acknowledging mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and pursuing growth.

The incident with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 is probably the most well-recognized mistake in the history of the world. It led to their banishment from the Garden of Eden and the introduction of sin and suffering into the world.

Moving forward, King David's sin with Bathsheba, and the ensuing murder of Uriah (Bathsheba's husband), provides a potent illustration of moral failure. It was only when confronted by the prophet Nathan that David repented (2 Samuel 12:13).

King David pens Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba. There he pleads for God's mercy, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit, admitting his wrongdoing and seeking purification (Psalm 51:1, 2).

In Matthew 26:69-75, the apostle Peter's denial of Jesus (three times) is a moving and affecting example of human weakness. After he came to understand his mistake, Peter grieved deeply, expressing sincere anguish.

It's essential to understand that redemption and growth after failure is possible by Jesus as shown in John 21:15-19. The Book of Proverbs frequently deals with "learning from mistakes." 

Proverbs 12:1 stresses the value of being amenable (open) to change, and the gaining of wisdom along with it. The author of Hebrews explores the seriousness of divine discipline in Hebrews 12:5-11. 

There, we are taught that God's discipline is a form of devotion intended to foster righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:6). Finally, the NT heavily influences believers to confess sin and seek forgiveness. No where is this more pronounced than in 1 John 1:9.

This verse establishes the promise of forgiveness and serves as a foundation for learning from setbacks, and gaining wisdom from failures. All while we move ahead in faith.

As we've seen, we all make mistakes, some worse than others, but we are all guilty of committing them. With that in mind, we are encouraged to repent of and seek forgiveness for them from God (Romans 4:7-8). 

Only by owning up to our mistakes can we proceed toward growth and healing. The worst thing we can do is sit and dwell on the past. Learn from your mistakes, dust yourself off, get up, and get moving!

Scripture: Psalm 37:24; Psalm 145:14; Proverbs 24:16; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:12

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I humbly confess my mistakes and pray for forgiveness. Help me learn from them and grow in wisdom and compassion. Amen"

May God be with you,

Sophie

Recognizing Yourself as a Child of God

"The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus."  - Timothy Keller, American Presbyterian pastor, preacher, and theologian (1950-2023)

There is no one else who is exactly like you or I in the world. Our unique and personal identities are important in every aspect of our lives, including relationships, work, school, financial transactions, etc. 

In short, we could not get by in this world without our identities. Yet, there is another identity we acquire when we accept and embrace Jesus Christ. As with our personal identities, it involves certain characteristics and responsibilities.

For believers this means understanding and persisting in the truths about being children of God. This stems from our faith, and being guided by His word. The outcome being lives that are both purposeful, and confident (Galatians 3:26).

Let's look at what it means when we acknowledge and accept our identity as believers. Our new identity  distinguishes us as "children of God." Hence, we have been adopted into God's family through our faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Consequently, because of our faith we become a new creation; being transformed by the grace of God, and no longer characterized by our past immoral actions or behaviors (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Because of these things, God loves us unconditionally. He regards us as His beloved children, no matter our past actions or situations. We become heirs to His kingdom, which includes a future that is abounding with hope and direction (Romans 8:17).

A benefit of being identified as children of God means that we are set apart or consecrated for a special purpose; we are called to live in such a way as to glorify and express the good character of God (Romans 12:1).

I've included some things below to help you embrace your identify as a child of God: 

• I begin by stressing the importance of prayer and immersing yourself in studying God's word. This can make a big difference in learning about His character, and the plans He has for you.
• This may come as a surprise, but we must learn to understand that our worth or value does not come from our accomplishments or relationships. True worth is obtained from God!
• Take regular inventory of your faith journey and monitor whether your actions are in line with your identity in Him.
• Try to find other believers who can motive and support you.
• Demonstrate your faith in all areas of your life. Be a light in the world!
• During times of trial, trust in God's love and plan.
• Finally, remember that God's love is available 24/7, and His grace is more than enough for every situation.

Our identity in Christ refers to discovering our true self-worth, aims, and significance in our relationship with Him, as opposed to outside factors or achievements. And knowing we are cherished, forgiven, and loved unconditionally by God.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:14; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:10 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Amen."  - Psalm 139:14

Blessings always,

Breanna

The Essentials with Sarah | The Atonement for Sin (Introduction)

"The atonement is a multifaceted event-Jesus is shown providing surety for our debt to God, mediating the enmity between us and God, and offering Himself as a substitute to suffer God's judgment in our place."  - R. C. Sproul, American Reformed theologian (1939-2017)

How can you fix a broken relationship with someone who was once close? Honestly, close relationships that have been broken, like glass, can be difficult to repair. And even if they are, there's a good chance they'll never be the same again.

In essence, this is the situation we (humanity) found ourselves in after the "original sin" was committed by Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. Up to that point, we had enjoyed an intimate, harmonious relationship with God. 

Their disobedient act caused our inherited state of sinfulness and separation from God. Simply put, all humans are born with a sinful nature. And it is this propensity towards sinfulness that separates us from God.

Thus, it is paramount that we grasp the concept of our separation from God due to sin. Furthermore, it makes sense that we would want to repair and restore our connection with God. 

For obvious reasons, this is something beyond our own meager capabilities. Nothing short of a "propitiatory sacrifice" could appease God. We needed help to do this. Only a savior would meet or satisfy this need.

Here is where God stepped in. According to Christian theology, God sacrificed his son, Jesus, to "atone," or make amends, for our sins and provide a way forward to redemption and eternal life, exhibiting His compassion and mercy. 

To wrap our heads around this, let's pause and briefly the act of making amends (atonement) for sins in the OT. The blood of an animal, through animal sacrifice, was symbolically offered to God to cover sins.

In an annual ritual, The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest would present sacrifices for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. These were intended to rectify the people, or put them right, with God.

(The concept of "atonement" in Hebrew is primarily expressed by the verb "kappar" (כפר), which means "to cover" or "to atone for," and the noun "kippur" (כיפור), meaning "atonement" or "covering.")

Animal sacrifices were also used as a way to cleanse the temple of sins, thereby restoring a relationship with God. The high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices in important areas of the temple (e.g., the Holy of Holies), to "atone" for Israel's sins.

As I am sure you are aware, this is by no means a comprehensive examination of “atonement.” Further study of the subject is strongly advised to further your knowledge of the subject.

In order to present the material in an informative yet understandable manner, I thought it best to divide this topic into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. We've briefly discussed “atonement” in the OT here.

At our next session, we will examine “atonement” in the New Testament. I hope that you've found this introduction to "The Atonement for Sin" beneficial to your study of the Scriptures, and am looking forward to our next discussion! 

Scripture: Leviticus 6:8-13, 14-23, 24-30; 7:1-6, 11-34

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for forgiveness of all my sins. Wash me clean with your precious blood and restore your grace to me. Amen.

May you always feel God's love,

Sarah

Weekend Message | CeCe Winans, Lisa Harper: How To Trust In God When You Don't Understand | Better Together on TBN

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's our pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

This weekend, we have an enlightening and encouraging message for you! CeCe Winans and Lisa Harper discuss why we must place our full trust in God as our heavenly father in this brief discussion from Better Together on TBN.

© Better Together on TBN

Sheila Walsh, Nicole C, Janice Gaines, and Rita Springer,  Lisa Bevere, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Jenn Johnson, and Hosanna Wong collaborate with CeCe Winans and Lisa Harper for a conversation on trusting in God as our father in every situation. I highly encourage you to join the conversation!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

God Quenches Our Thirsty Souls

"The key to Christian living is a thirst and hunger for God. And one of the main reasons people do not understand or experience the sovereignty of grace, and the way it works through the awakening of sovereign joy, is that their hunger and thirst for God is so small."  - John Piper, American theologian and pastor

We all have a naturally occurring requirement for water. A refreshing drink of water will usually quench our thirst. Most importantly, water is necessary for our "physical" survival. Without it, we would soon cease to exist.

Whether we realize it or not, each one of us carries a thirst of another kind within our hearts. It is a divinely-caused "spiritual" thirst, of which God is the ultimate source of fulfillment (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Psalm 42:2; 63:1).

So, what is a "thirst" for God? Think of it as a deep yearning for a strong, personal connection with God. This is frequently described as a desire for his presence, instruction, and uprightness. 

"Thirst," as used in Scripture, figuratively describes the soul's inherent necessity for intimacy with Him. The very word itself activates a familiarity of something common to all; helping us visualize the soul's need for God. 

Psalm 42:1-2 beautifully illustrates both the passion and vital importance of seeking God. In Psalm 63:1 the "physical" thirst, that was endured in the desert, is compared to the "spiritual" thirst for God's presence and spiritual strength.

Jesus discusses the spiritual thirst of humanity in a practical manner in John 4:13-14. Here he presents Himself as the wellspring of living water, gratifying our profound spiritual requirements.

What's more, Jesus, in his invitation spoken to the crowd during the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizes the satisfaction found in Christ, who satiates "spiritual" thirst and offers the Holy Spirit to believers (John 7:37-39).

All believers are urged to develop their "thirst" for God through spiritual practices such as prayer, studying God's word, and taking part in public worship. These applications help coordinate the heart with His will and enhance the experience of His presence.

The "thirst" for God is a core concept in the Christian life. During periods of spirit desolation, the thirst for God can remind us of our complete dependence on Him. It induces a return to the origin of living water, where true gratification and peace are found.

Scripture: Exodus 17:6; Isaiah 44:3; Matthew 5:6; John 6:35; Revelation 7:16-17 

Prayer: Dear Lord, may your love, like water, pour over my thirsty spirit, cleansing, refreshing, and renewing me. Amen.

May God richly bless you,

~Eve