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Why Atonement Matters So Much to the Poor

4. It gives us a greater appreciation of the gospel. I was once accused by somebody of always preaching Jesus in [my] sermons.” Whilst not meant as a compliment, I can tell you that I was well chuffed! As I said on that day, and as I always say to this: I am afraid I have got nothing else to pull out of the bag.” How can I not preach Christ in light of the atonement? Such great love and such a great cost at the expense of such a great sinner. What else am I supposed to talk about in my sermons? What else am I supposed to talk about in my life? The doctrine of the atonement drives us into the arms of God and causes us to marvel at its wonder and glory.

5. It reminds us of the importance of solid, doctrinal, biblical preaching. This is the big pressure in our context. Time and again, I am met with baffled looks in Christian circles when I explain that we operate a systematic, expository ministry on a Sunday. I can sometimes see people physically wince with disappointment. Give people what they want—that is the undertone. Preach to the issues, brother! Fine. The atonement is the issue! If people do not understand the cross and its necessity then they understand nothing.

6. It keep us from preaching moralism. It is easy for law to overtake grace in housing schemes. This is the silent killer here. People live such chaotic lives that it is easy to send them away with a to-do list rather than continually preach grace to them. It is easy for Christians to put their assurance for salvation in the things they do for Jesus rather than in the Son of God himself. I woke up this morning confident of heaven. Not because I had a great devotional or because my prayers were on fire. Because Jesus died on the cross for my sin. He absorbed the wrath that was duly mine. He paid a price that I could not afford. He has been raised to the right hand of God the Father where he intercedes for me, even now. The atonement was his glorious, bloody idea from start to finish.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:11-14)