ATONEMENT � The act by which God restores a relationship of harmony and unity between Himself and human beings.

Through God�s atoning grace and forgiveness, we are reinstated to a clean and spotless relationship with God, in spite of our sin.

Lev. 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

Because of the pure blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross. We have been redeemed. Amen!

Human Need for ATONEMENT.

I. Because of Adam�s sin.

Rom. 5:18 For as by one man�s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man�s obedience many will be made righteous.

1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

II. Our own personal sins.

Col. 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Eccl. 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

III. Can we fix it ourselves?

Prov. 20:9 Who can say, �I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin�?

Heb. 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Rom. 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Lev. 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

God�s gracious response to the helplessness of His chosen people, the nation of Israel, was to give them a means of Reconciliation through Old Testament covenant Law. This came in the sacrificial system where the �blood� of the animal was accepted by God as a substitute for the death the sinner deserved.

The Law required that the sacrifice must be free from defect.

What can we do?

Rom. 3:24-25 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We need to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We need to let Him in. It�s very simple Friends!

He�s knocking at the door of your heart. God made it simple accept His free gift, the atoning blood of his beloved Son.

In the Old Testament, God Himself brought about atonement by graciously providing the appointed sacrifices. The priests represented Him in the atonement ritual, and the sinner received the benefits of being reconciled to God in forgiveness and harmony. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Although Old Testament believers were truly forgiven and received genuine atonement through animal sacrifice, the New Testament clearly states that during the Old Testament period God�s justice was not served.

If we look in Heb. 10:4 It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.