January Sermons 2026
1-18 - The Hardening of the Heart
Ezekiel 11: 17-21 Matthew 13:15
1-25 - The Power of the Holy Spirit
Isaiah 44: 1-3 Galatians 5: 16-17
Sin is the manifestation of our fallen human nature. We all sin—sometimes by what we say or do—and sometimes by what we don’t say or don’t do. But sin is more than actions or words that are less than God’s best. Sin is a condition that separates us from a Holy God. In the Old Testament, we're taught sin must be atoned for by the shed blood of an animal. In the New Testament, we learn God sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life and willingly die a sacrificial death for the sins of the world.
In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer makes the case that, because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross:
“…sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.” (Hebrews 10:18)
Because Jesus has atoned for the sin of the world, we're forgiven and saved when we place our faith in Him.
At the time the letter to the Hebrews was written, the temple in Jerusalem was still being used, and animals were still being sacrificed. But Jewish Christians weren’t supposed to offer sacrifices because Jesus was sacrificed for them. Offering a sacrifice for sin dishonored the sacrifice of Jesus as though it wasn't enough.
Today, some believers want to offer a sacrifice for their sins. Some will give money, others will serve, and others will fast. None of these things is wrong as an act of worship, but they're completely wrong if we hope they'll pay for our sins. Only Jesus could pay for our sins, and He's already done so. What He wants from us in return is love and devotion.
In the same way, we should never ask God to forgive us because we’re sorry, promise to do better, or plan to do something great for Him. The only reason God will forgive us is because His Son took the lashes across His back, the nails through His hands and feet, and spent the six longest hours in the history of the world on a splintery Roman cross for us.
What can we do to atone for our sin? Nothing—except place our faith in Jesus.
When it comes to atonement for sin, Jesus paid it all!
Thanks be to God!