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Alpha 3 Worship And
The Discipleship Process of
Praise Community Church
Todays Lesson: Atonement – WHY
Jesus had to die on the cross
Atonement: what does that word mean?
The dictionary defines atonement as: to become reconciled, to make
amends for some wrong doing, a satisfaction given for some act done in
a wrong manner . . . reconciliation between God and man.
> Synonyms: Compensation, reparation
Atonement is a very serious thing and it is a very important thing in our
coming to know the Lord in the fullness that He desires. Basically,
God is Holy, man is sinful.
Holy and sinful CAN NOT mix – it simply does not work.
So for man to get near God, the sin must be purged from his life, the
sin must be gotten out of his life so man can approach God.
“Alpha” Second Edition 2011 Teacher Copy
Compiled by Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston
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Isa. 59:1-3 Tells us that our sin has separated us from God.
This is where atonement comes into play. Look in your notes at the
following scripture. . .
Hebrews 9.22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without
shedding of blood is no remission.
TLB
In fact we can say that under the old agreement almost everything was
cleansed by sprinkling it with blood, and without the shedding of blood
there is no forgiveness of sins.
The focus of this lesson is actually blood.
Look in your notes where one theologian says it like this,
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“There is a scarlet thread that weaves its way from Genesis, the first
book of the Bible, to Revelation, the last book of the Bible. That
scarlet thread is this:
Every drop of blood that was spilled pointed the way to Calvary,
where the blood of Jesus Christ paid for all sins past, present, and
future.”
To get a clearer picture of exactly what Hebrews 9.22 is talking about,
I want us to go back just a few more verses and read from verse 11 to
verse 22, this time we will read from the SEV.
Follow along with me in your notes.
But Christ has come as High Priest over good things which already
exist. He went through the greater and more perfect sanctuary. It is
not man-made.
(This means that it is not a part of this world.)
Once for all time, Christ went into the most holy place and secured
everlasting forgiveness from sin. He used his own blood, not the blood
of goats or calves.
The blood of goats, bulls, or the ashes from a young cow are sprinkled
upon unholy people. This makes them separate and clean on the
outside.
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But, how much more will the blood of Christ make our consciences
clean from dead human efforts, so that we can worship the living God!
Through the everlasting Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a
perfect sacrifice.
This is why Christ can make a new agreement. The people broke
God's law while they were living under the first agreement. But the
death was the price to set them free from sin. Now those people who
have been called by God may receive the eternal inheritance that God
promised.
When a person wants his property to go to others after he dies, he
makes a will. That will is worthless, unless someone can prove that a
person died, because a will is not in effect until someone dies. The will
does not take effect during the life of the person who made the will.
That is why even the first was not in effect until blood .
Moses told all of the people every command of the law. Then he took
some water and some blood from calves. He used a hyssop branch and
red wool to sprinkle the book and all the people.
Moses said, ``This blood is the agreement that God commanded you
to obey.''
In the same way, Moses used blood to sprinkle the holy tent and all the
things used for a worship service.
Yes, the law says that almost everything must be made clean with blood.
Unless blood is poured out, sins are not forgiven.
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Now, with that scripture fresh on your brain, let’s jump into the good
stuff and find out exactly what all of this means.
So what does ‘atonement’ mean, and what is the need for it.
Remember, the dictionary says atonement makes amends for something
done wrong; it’s a form of reconciliation, or “making up”.
Are you guys with me? Are we ready to move on?
Say “I’m with you!”
Leviticus 4.20
And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin
offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement
for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
You see, all through out the Old Testament, blood had to be shed in
order for a wrong to be undone. And even more than that, a priest had
to perform the ceremony for you – you couldn’t do it yourself.
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For atonement to occur, blood had to be shed – that was the Law of
that day and time.
Leviticus 16.11
And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for
himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and
shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
Leviticus 17.11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon
the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that
maketh an atonement for the soul.
The “Law” as the Old Testament teaches us, came into existence
right after the Children of Israel had been delivered from Egypt, and
God spoke to a Jewish Leader named Moses . . .
... and God basically told Moses that if the people would follow some
rules and laws, they would be a very blessed people.
God dwells with his people of covenant!
Whenever sin occurred in someone’s life, the Old Testament Laws
said they had to sacrifice a specific animal, and because life was in the
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blood, when that blood was shed, the sins were ‘rolled back’ for another
year.
Let me explain the “Old Testament Tabernacle Plan”
God desired to dwell among His people, so He instructed them to
construct a temple of worship, or a tabernacle. This included,

Brazen Altar – atonement sacrifice was necessary before
fellowshipping with God.

Brazen Laver – ceremonial washing of the priests

Tabernacle covers and frame – VERY detailed, VERY! What
kind, how long, how many...

Table of Shewbread – constituted a continual thank offering to
God / Word of God, presence of God.

Altar of Incense – similar to the altar, symbolized prayer and
communion with God.
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
Golden Candlestick – most ornate in the temple, provided
illumination for duties, symbolizing Jesus as the, ‘light of the world’
-enlightenment, revelation.

Ark of the Covenant – in the Holy of Holies, most important &
essential, lid = mercy seat
The tangible, visible presence of God was there!
Now one very important thing you must understand is the fact that
these animal sacrifices were only a “temporary bracing” or a “temporary
fix” for the problem of sin. The ultimate fix was coming later – that
ultimate fix was, and still is, Jesus Christ.
An average of 1400 sacrifices a day…
(Now, show how Jesus is the same for us today)
The Bible very clearly tells us that when the blood of Jesus was shed,
it covered all sins, past and present. So now we no longer have to shed
the blood of innocent animals to get forgiveness from God – Jesus
paid that price for us. His blood “covers” you and I and all of the sin
we’ve ever done – all of the ignorant mistakes we’ve made, Jesus has us
covered.
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Not just any old crippled goat with 3 legs that smelled bad – you had to
get your best of the best.
I mean think about it, today, you wouldn’t want to give God your leftovers, your used up trash – we want to give Him our best of the best.
And just like these goats, bulls, or lambs had to be unblemished, so was
Jesus. When He died for our sins, He was perfect! He had never
sinned! He was spotless and unblemished and He died for us, He
shed His blood for you and I so we could live freely today – isn’t that
great stuff?! Jesus shed His blood for you and I so we wouldn’t have
to keep up this animal killing business. His blood paid it all for us.
One more thing before we move on – you’ve heard (or you will hear),
Jesus referred to as the “Lamb of God”.
This is where that term comes from. Jesus acted as the perfect lamb,
or the ‘perfect sacrifice’ to be slain for our sins so the animal sacrificing
wouldn’t have to continue.
Jesus was the perfect LAMB of God!
Our sacrifice –He died for you and I.
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You may ask the question: What all does this blood of Jesus do to us
or for us?
First I will tell you in Bible terms, then I will break it down for you, –
ready?
1. We were purchased by the blood.
Acts 20.28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
There is a price to be paid for sin. The Bible says that we ‘ALL have
sinned and come short of the Glory of God’; therefore, something has
to be paid to cover the debt of sin. No amount of our blood or any
animal’s blood is so precious as that which belonged to Christ Jesus –
His sacrifice was enough to pay our wrongs.
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Jesus’ death on the cross paid for our sins, it paid this debt once & for
all.
2. We’ve been justified by the blood.
Romans 5.9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
The word ‘justified’ means to be made innocent. This blood of Jesus
that was shed for us covers us or washes us of those past sins.
It washes them away, completely, forever gone!
Once you are forgiven for a past sin, it’s done! Finished. Complete!
Once the blood of Jesus has washed away your past, you are made
‘just’ in His sight, and your eternity can be made secure.
3. We are redeemed by the blood.
I 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:
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Does everyone know what the word “redeemed” truly means . . .
The dictionary terms it like this: “to buy back, to pay off, to set free by
paying a ransom, to deliver from sin and all it’s penalties”
We are set free from our past . . . all because of His blood, we are
liberated and delivered!
Throughout history, man has tried to create different ways to redeem
himself from the bondage of sin, but the Bible is very, very clear on this
issue – no thing, no one, no power can set you free from
sin . . . only the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed
at Calvary can set us free!
4. And finally we are sanctified by the blood
Matthew 26.28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins.
(A NEW covenant, a NEW promise, a NEW way to God! )
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Through the blood of Jesus, we as a chosen people are set aside; we
are selected for a special purpose.
I Corinthians 1.26 tells us that Jesus doesn’t just choose the pretty
ones, the rich ones, the popular ones,
He chooses anyone who chooses Him!
By His blood we are sanctified, we are set apart from the rest of the
world and how they choose to live.
Now just because we are sanctified, just because we are set apart, that
never gives us reason to be snobs.
We can never look down on others and view them as less than we are.
His choice to redeem us, justify us, and purchase us doesn’t mean that
we are better than anyone . . . it only proves His love, mercy and grace
towards anyone who is willing to follow after Him.
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Now let’s try and wrap this up by tying in the idea of “atonement” into
the new birth process.
Do you all know what I mean when I say the ‘new birth process’?
The “New Birth” as referenced in John chapter 3. Being “born
again” refers to repenting of your sins, being baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost – all of this life
changing stuff comes together in Acts, chapter 2, verse 38. Check it
out in your notes . . .
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The bottom line of this lesson is this:
Before God came to earth in the form of Jesus Christ, forgiveness of
sins was WAY different than what you and I are accustomed to.
Because of the Original Law, blood had to be shed in order to receive
forgiveness.
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NOW . . . because the blood of Jesus was shed, His perfect blood
covers all. We no longer have to do ritualistic sacrifices in order to
approach God. Now we can follow Acts 2.38 with great ease . . .
John 10.11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Romans 5.6
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly.
We NOW have access to God thru repentance whereas before
Calvary, we didn’t.
Repent . . . that word would not be as easy as it is if it weren’t for
atonement – if it weren’t for Jesus dying on that cross one day for
ALL of our sins.
Forgiveness of sins is necessary for salvation. That precious
forgiveness is made possible because Jesus Christ died on the cross
for you and I.
What we couldn’t do by ourselves, He did for us.
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We’ve all known the fact that Jesus died on the cross, but now I hope
you better understand WHY.
He did die on that cross, He died for our sins, the ultimate sacrifice,
but even better, 3 days later, He rose!!!!!
He came alive and today is preparing a place for you
and I to live with Him for all of eternity!!
Doesn’t that sound incredible! I can’t wait.
Prayer & Q & A . . .
“Alpha” Second Edition 2011 Teacher Copy
Compiled by Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston