The Centrality of Christ's Atonement in Redemption
Summary
The atonement of Christ stands at the very center of God’s redemptive plan, and its design and extent reveal the depths of both God’s holiness and his love. The first and primary focus of the atonement is not humanity, but God himself. Christ’s sacrifice was made to satisfy the holiness of God, who was the party wronged by sin. Through the atonement, God’s justice is upheld even as he pardons sinners, for Christ’s obedience and sacrifice propitiate God’s wrath and remove the barrier to his love. This means that God’s love is not sentimental or arbitrary, but is displayed in a way that is consistent with his righteousness.
Christ’s atonement also secured a manifold reward for himself as the mediator. By his perfect obedience and suffering, Christ not only restored his own glory as the God-man but also shared that glory, honor, and spiritual gifts with his people. His exaltation to the right hand of the Father means that humanity, in Christ, is lifted up and blessed with every spiritual blessing. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the gifts given to the church, and Christ’s dominion over all things are all fruits of his atoning work.
The atonement did not merely make salvation possible; it actually secured salvation for a particular people—those whom God has chosen and united to Christ. While the value of Christ’s atonement is infinite, its application is limited to those who believe, the elect, described in Scripture as Christ’s sheep, his church, his friends, and his chosen ones. This truth should humble us, fill us with gratitude, and lead us to give all glory to God, recognizing that our salvation is entirely of his grace.
Some object to the limited application of the atonement, proposing a universal redemption. However, Scripture teaches that while the atonement is sufficient for all, it is efficient only for those who believe. If Christ’s atonement actually paid for every sin of every person, then God could not justly punish anyone. Instead, the atonement is perfect and effectual for God’s people, and the mystery of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility remains a matter for humble trust.
Yet, the atonement’s value and sufficiency are unlimited, and so is its proclamation. The gospel is to be preached to all people, for Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all and God’s love is to be declared universally. Furthermore, the atonement is the basis for all common grace in the world—the delay of judgment, the blessings of life, and the influence of the church as salt and light. Every good thing experienced by humanity is grounded in Christ’s work. Therefore, we are called to live as salt and light, boldly proclaiming the good news of God’s love in Christ to a dying world.
Key Takeaways
- The atonement is first and foremost directed toward God, satisfying his holiness and justice so that he can justly show love and mercy to sinners. This means that our reconciliation with God is not based on God overlooking sin, but on Christ’s perfect sacrifice that upholds God’s righteousness even as he forgives. [01:02]
- Christ’s atonement secured for him a manifold reward as the God-man, and in his exaltation, he shares his glory, gifts, and the Holy Spirit with his people. The blessings we enjoy as believers—spiritual gifts, the presence of the Spirit, and the hope of glory—are all fruits of Christ’s obedience and suffering on our behalf. [09:03]
- The atonement actually secures salvation for a particular people—those chosen by God and united to Christ. This is not a cause for pride, but for deep humility and gratitude, as our salvation is entirely a work of God’s sovereign grace, not our own merit or effort. [16:11]
- While the atonement is sufficient for all, its application is limited to those who believe. This guards the justice of God and the perfection of Christ’s work, reminding us that the mystery of election and human responsibility is to be received with humility and trust, not as a reason for passivity or presumption. [27:10]
- The atonement is the foundation for both the universal proclamation of the gospel and the common grace experienced by all humanity. Every good thing—delayed judgment, opportunities for repentance, the blessings of life, and the influence of the church—flows from Christ’s sacrifice. We are called to live as salt and light, boldly declaring God’s love and Christ crucified to all people, wherever we are placed. [37:46]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - The Atonement’s Primary Focus: God’s Holiness
[02:41] - The Change Brought by the Atonement
[04:00] - Christ Died Chiefly for God
[04:58] - God’s Love Manifested in Christ
[06:27] - Christ’s Manifold Reward as Mediator
[09:03] - Christ’s Glory Shared with Humanity
[10:22] - The Gifts of the Exalted Christ
[12:10] - Christ’s Dominion and the Church
[13:44] - The Application: Shared Honor and Humility
[16:11] - The Atonement Secures Salvation for a Particular People
[19:40] - Christ Died for His People, Not All
[22:20] - The Comfort and Humility of Election
[24:44] - God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
[27:10] - Objections to Limited Atonement
[30:27] - The Unlimited Value and Proclamation of the Atonement
[32:47] - The Universal Call of the Gospel
[35:09] - Christ’s Sacrifice and the Whole World
[37:46] - The Atonement and Common Grace
[40:21] - The Delay of Judgment and Space for Repentance
[42:13] - The Church as Salt and Light
[45:15] - Living as Salt and Light in a Dying World
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Design and Extent of Christ’s Atonement
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### Bible Reading
- Romans 3:25-26
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
- John 10:11, 15
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
- 1 John 2:1-2
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 3:25-26, what was God demonstrating through Christ’s atonement?
2. In John 10:11 and 15, who does Jesus say he lays down his life for?
3. How does 1 John 2:1-2 describe Jesus’ role for sinners?
4. The sermon says the atonement is first directed toward God, not humanity. What does that mean? [[01:02]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important that God’s justice is satisfied in the atonement, rather than God simply overlooking sin? How does this affect our understanding of forgiveness? [[01:02]]
2. The sermon says Christ’s atonement “secured” salvation for a particular people, not just made it possible. What is the difference, and why does it matter? [[16:11]]
3. How does the idea that Christ shares his glory, gifts, and the Holy Spirit with his people shape the way believers see themselves and their purpose? [[09:03]]
4. The atonement is described as “sufficient for all, but efficient only for those who believe.” What does this mean, and how does it relate to the universal call of the gospel? [[32:47]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says our reconciliation with God is not based on God overlooking sin, but on Christ’s perfect sacrifice. How does this truth affect the way you approach God when you are aware of your own sin? [[01:02]]
2. Christ’s atonement is said to secure every spiritual blessing for believers. What is one spiritual blessing you have experienced that you can directly connect to Christ’s work for you? [[09:03]]
3. The idea that Christ’s atonement is applied to a particular people is meant to humble us. Do you ever struggle with pride or entitlement in your faith? How can remembering God’s sovereign grace help you fight that? [[16:11]]
4. The sermon addresses objections to the “limited” application of the atonement. How do you respond when you encounter people who believe everyone will be saved, or who struggle with the idea of election? [[27:10]]
5. Since the atonement is the foundation for the universal proclamation of the gospel, what is one way you can be more intentional about sharing the good news with someone in your life this week? [[32:47]]
6. The atonement is also the basis for all common grace in the world. Can you think of a “good thing” in your life or in the world that you now see as a result of Christ’s work? How does this change your gratitude or perspective? [[37:46]]
7. The sermon calls us to live as salt and light in a dying world. What is one specific area—at home, work, or in your community—where you feel called to be salt and light? What is a practical step you can take this week? [[45:15]]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Atonement Satisfies God's Holiness and Displays His Love
The atonement of Christ is first and foremost an objective work directed toward God, satisfying His holiness that was offended by our sin. Through Christ’s sacrifice, God’s righteous wrath is appeased, and the barrier between God and sinners is removed, allowing God to freely show His love, grace, and mercy to those who believe. This means that while God Himself does not change, His relationship to us is transformed—from wrath to favor—because Christ has fully met the demands of divine justice. In this, we see the depth of God’s love: He gave His only Son so that we might be reconciled to Him and receive everlasting life. [01:02]
Romans 3:25-26 (ESV):
"…whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Reflection: In what ways does knowing that Christ’s atonement was first to satisfy God’s holiness deepen your understanding of God’s love for you today?
Day 2: Christ’s Exaltation and Shared Reward with Believers
Christ’s atonement not only secured forgiveness for sinners but also obtained a manifold reward for Himself as the Mediator—He was exalted as the God-man and now shares His glory, gifts, and Spirit with His people. Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Christ was raised and seated at the right hand of God, and from this place of honor, He pours out spiritual gifts, imparts His Spirit, and shares His dominion with those who are united to Him. This truth should fill us with humility and gratitude, knowing that the blessings and honor Christ received are graciously shared with us, making us partakers in His victory and glory. [09:03]
Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV):
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: What is one way you can express gratitude today for the honor and spiritual gifts Christ has shared with you through His exaltation?
Day 3: Christ Died for His Particular People
While the atonement is of infinite value, its application is particular—Christ died to secure salvation for His chosen people, described in Scripture as His sheep, His church, His friends, and the elect. This truth is not meant to foster pride but to humble us, reminding us that our salvation is entirely by God’s grace and not by our own merit or effort. The knowledge that Christ set His love upon a people and accomplished their redemption should lead us to humility, gratitude, and a desire to give all glory to God, while also encouraging all people to seek Christ with all their heart. [16:11]
John 10:14-15 (ESV):
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Reflection: How does knowing that Christ intentionally laid down His life for His people shape your sense of humility and gratitude today?
Day 4: The Atonement’s Sufficiency and Universal Proclamation
Though the atonement is limited in its application to the redeemed, its value and sufficiency are unlimited, and the gospel is to be proclaimed to all people without hesitation. Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to cover the sins of all humanity, and God’s love and mercy in Christ are to be boldly announced to every person. We are called to preach Christ crucified to all, trusting that God’s invitation is genuine and that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. This universal call is rooted in the infinite worth of Christ’s atoning work. [32:47]
1 John 2:2 (ESV):
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: Who is one person you can share the good news of Christ’s love and atonement with today, trusting in its sufficiency for all?
Day 5: The Atonement and Common Grace for All Humanity
The atonement of Christ is the foundation for all the common grace and blessings that humanity enjoys, even for those who do not believe. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, God delays judgment, grants space for repentance, and allows all people to experience the goodness of life—joy, beauty, relationships, and the preserving influence of the church in the world. This should lead us to live as salt and light, declaring the good news of Christ to a dying world and recognizing that every good thing we experience is a result of God’s mercy through the cross. [45:15]
Titus 2:11 (ESV):
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people."
Reflection: In what specific way can you be salt and light in your home, workplace, or community today, pointing others to the goodness and mercy of God in Christ?
Quotes
When Christ was exalted to the Father's right hand, a new thing was happening. It wasn't just that the eternal Son of God was coming back to his throne, but it's that humanity was lifted up in the God -man, God who has been made flesh. It was humanity that was exalted alongside deity in the person of Jesus Christ. Humanity receives Christ's reward. [00:08:34] (28 seconds)
When Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, he defeated death, he defeated sin, he defeated the flesh, he defeated Satan, he led captivity captive, those things that had confined men, those things that had imprisoned men. He defeated them all, and then he gave gifts to men. [00:10:51] (23 seconds)
Christ is crowned with glory and honor, and he shares that glory and honor with us. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 45 says, the last Adam became a life -giving spirit. He can impart his gifts that he has won in his honor and his glory. He willingly shares with us. [00:12:49] (24 seconds)
We further reply that if all men's sins were covered in the atonement, then God would be unjust to punish sinners. If Christ has already suffered God's full wrath in their place, if we say that Christ's blood covers every man's sin in actuality, and it's only up to them to turn to God to receive it, then God can't punish them because he's already punished Christ. God would be an unjust God. That would be double jeopardy. It would be punishing people for the sins that have already been paid for by the atoning work of Christ. [00:28:29] (40 seconds)
The gospel is not return and God will forgive you and love you. The gospel is God has shown love and mercy. Only believe and it's yours in Jesus Christ. But God demonstrates his own love to us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We can boldly proclaim God's love and Christ crucified to all men. [00:32:48] (28 seconds)
Wherever God has placed you, whether it is in the middle of a broken family, dysfunctional family, you can be a light there. Whether it's in a workplace from hell where everybody treats you with gnashing of teeth and it feels like outer darkness, you feel so far away from God and darkness in some places in this world, it's okay. You can be a light there. Wherever God has placed you, you can be salt and you can be light. We're in a dying world and they need to hear that God loves them and Christ died for them. [00:47:31] (35 seconds)
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