Today by the grace of God we are going to look at the word “atonement” The word atonement means, exchange, restoration, reconciliation, to appease, to cover.

We find this word 81 times in the Bible. 80 of those 81 times it is found in the Old Testament. It is found only one time in the New Testament, which is here in Romans chapter five verse eleven. I thought about that, and asked the question why only one time in the New testament? I believe the reason is that the atonement in the Old Testament is only a figure or picture of the true atonement which is found in the new Testament. In the Old Testament a sacrifice of animal blood  had to be preformed over and over for the atonement for sin. But when Jesus made atonement for our sins with His own blood in the New Testament, He only had to sacrifice Himself, shed His blood "one time."

(HEB. 9:28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Consider with me a few thoughts this morning about the atonement, pictured in the Old Testament, fulfilled and performed in the New Testament.

Why do we need the atonment?

    1. Sin is a part of our nature - (Rom. 5:12) Wherefore, as by one man sin  entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

    2. Sin is our practice - (Rom. 3:10)As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

    3. Sin is a polluter of man and of mankind (Rom. 3:23)For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Isa. 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

II. BECAUSE OF SEPARATION (verses 10-14) ((Isa. 59:1-2)Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

    1. Sin separated man from Paradise the garden of eden (Gen.3:23-24) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

    2. Sin separates man from possessing God Today (Ephesians 2:12)

    3. Sin separates man from Heaven In The Future  (Revelation 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

III. BECAUSE Of THE NEED OF A SACRIFICE (verse 10) (Hebrews 9:24-26) For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was;

    1. A submissive sacrifice  (JH. 19:10-11) He gave Himself

    2. A silent sacrifice (Isa. 53:7)He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

    3. A substitutionary sacrifice He hung on the cross and died in our place.

    4. A satisfactory sacrifice (propitiation) (I Jh.4;10) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The atonement of Jesus Christ was superior to the Old Testament atonement by the blood of animals:

    1. In its removal (John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,

    2. In its redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

    3. In its reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled Us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

    4. In its righteousness which is imputed (2 Corinthians 5:19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

A little girl was sitting on Santa Claus' lap. She gave him a whole list of expensive toys which she wanted for Christmas and then without a word of appreciation, she jumped off Santa's lap and started toward her mother. Her concerned mother spoke quickly, "Honey, haven't you forgotten something?" The little girl thought for a moment, then said, "O, yes." Then turning back toward Santa, she shouted, "Charge it."

God has already "charged" our sins to His Son and has paid the debt in full. What more could you ask for at Christmas?