Youth Who Love the Atonement (Part 1 of 2)

The Value of Christ's Atonement

Our topic this evening focuses on a celebration of Reformed theology, highlighting a very important aspect: what is commonly referred to as limited atonement.

Before we dive into limited atonement, consider this question: If Christ died for someone and that person ends up in hell, does that bother you? The question is not whether that's true, or how it could happen—such as the person rejecting Christ. It's about your view of the value of Jesus's death. Is the death of Jesus Christ valuable to you? Would you be bothered by the idea of it not saving someone for whom it was intended?

The answer is yes—it should bother you. It should be discouraging to think of Christ's death not saving someone. This is the same as asking whether Jesus himself can actually save. The cross represents the work Jesus did to save.

This question should create a clash in your conscience: Can the cross save? Does it save? Is it valuable to you, especially because you have experienced its reality? You have received that salvation. The cross is extremely valuable to you. It bothers you to think of Christ dying for someone who is not saved, because you know that's how someone gets saved.

If you value the cross, you recognize why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2:

I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

This reveals Paul's beliefs and how he lived. He valued the cross above everything else. He wanted to know nothing except atonement—the work Jesus accomplished.

Paul's letters cover many topics: spiritual gifts, unity, marriage, sexual immorality. Yet the atonement defines everything else. Everything flows from or relates to the atonement. The cross is the centerpiece of what Paul treasures. Even teaching on spiritual gifts is cross-centered: The atonement saves, sanctifies, joins you to others Jesus died for, so you serve them as Jesus served you. Spiritual gifts make others' lives better, reflecting Jesus.

This is why Paul regulated tongues in Corinth—everything points to the cross.

In Philippians 1:27, Paul says:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

More literally, live as citizens of heaven and earth in a manner worthy of the gospel. The gospel centers on the cross, reconciling God and man. Every aspect of life—sports, homeschooling, jobs—should not reproach the cross but prove its genuineness. It brings newness of life, radically different from the old life or those without the gospel.

If the cross is real, its evidence shows in those who claim it. Can you see the reality of the cross in a group that values it above everything? If it saves, why isn't it the most significant thing about you? Why wouldn't people know you as someone all about Jesus crucified?

We prove the value of the cross for what it is and does—not what it could be.

Valuing the Cross for What It Is

We can't value the cross for what it could be, but for what it is: either salvation or not; either the most significant thing about you or not. It's the historical fact of Jesus dying to save you from sins, entered by faith—or it is not.

Imagine not believing in a gospel that could be for somebody else. We preach a gospel where Jesus bore God's wrath for specific people.

Think of marriage: Love your spouse for who they are, not who they could be. Don't pursue someone for their potential. You wouldn't love a sanitation job for what it could be (like astronaut). You don't enjoy bad movies for what they could be. You don't join a church for what it could be.

Mark Zuckerberg thinks Facebook could replace churches. But Facebook isn't a church. Love the Bible for what it is, not what it could be. Don't say you love the cross because it could be your atonement—that means right now it's not.

If we evangelize unbelievers and say Jesus died for them but it's not saving them until they believe, then right now it's not atonement for them. That's no gospel. Either the gospel is the gospel or it's not.

What Is Atonement?

Atonement means God is no longer angry with you and your sin. God is loving, just, jealous for his holiness. He judges those who don't submit. God is angry with you—that's terrible news.

How does atonement happen? In the Old Testament, it was represented symbolically:

Leviticus: He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Leviticus 16:22: The goat shall bear all their iniquities to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

Sins transferred to an innocent animal, killed as punishment. The scapegoat removes sins. But animals didn't sin—they were without blemish.

Moses bore God's anger for Israel's sin (Deuteronomy 1:37). Priests bore iniquity (Numbers 18:1). Ezekiel bore Israel's punishment for 390 days, then Judah's for 40 (Ezekiel 4:4-6). These create expectation for someone to bear sins perfectly—but they couldn't.

Hebrews 9:28: So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Unlike repeated animal sacrifices, Jesus bears sins of many once, so effectively his second coming saves those waiting—no more sin to deal with. Not for everyone, but many.

Limited Atonement: A Real Atonement

If Christ dies for someone who ends up in hell, the atonement is ineffective. That's not atonement.

You might think of Hebrews 2:9:

By the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

But context: "everyone" is the children God gave him (v. 10-13), those he brings to glory, sanctifies, calls brothers.

John 6:35-45: Jesus feeds 5,000, preaches, most leave. He doesn't beg—because no one can come unless drawn by the Father. All the Father gives come; Jesus loses none. Everyone taught by God comes.

Romans 9:10-16: ...in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls... Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated... I will have mercy on whom I have mercy... It depends not on human will... but on God who has mercy.

Reformation emphasized God's sovereignty to save and keep. People end in hell not because the cross failed, but because it wasn't for them.

Atonement: Jesus takes your sin, bears Father's wrath in humanity. Not just dying—high priestly work continues:

Hebrews 7:25-27: Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them... He has no need... to offer sacrifices daily... since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Jesus intercedes for you in heaven—between you and God. In John 17, he prayed for future believers, not the world—those given by the Father.

Jesus knows your name, tells the Father his work is for you. Imagine the Creator talking about you: the blood of Jesus shed so you never receive wrath.

Jesus didn't fail: he doesn't die for some without interceding.

The Trustworthiness of the Atonement

We must recognize that for those who reject Christ their entire lives and are worthy of condemnation because of a life lived in sin, Jesus has not worked for them. They are not the individuals given to Christ by the Father. The more we understand atonement, the more we accept this reality—or else we don't have an atonement that is truly trustworthy. If Christ died for every single person yet not all are saved, what can we really trust? We'd be trusting in a salvation that may not work.

But Scripture gives a clear testimony of what salvation is: Jesus who died to save you, who intercedes on your behalf, and who is coming again for you.

The Joyful Return of Christ

Notice how Scripture paints the second coming of Jesus as a happy experience. Jesus returns, having already dealt with our sin. He comes back, receives us, and takes us into an eternity with him. Regardless of eschatological views, Jesus will return and usher us into eternity with him. It sounds wonderful.

Imagine it like this: When all your work is done, the house is clean, the weeds pulled, and you're twiddling your thumbs, waiting eagerly. Your parents come home, thrilled. They lift you up on their shoulders: "My child, who has obeyed!" That's the reality with Jesus—not because of our works, but because of his.

For the unbeliever, Christ's return is entirely different—a negative prospect.

John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." And a few verses later: "Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

The Bible presents two groups of people. Which one do you belong to?

Confirming Your Calling and Election

If God has chosen to save some and sent Jesus to die for them, how do you know if you're among the elect? Peter says in 2 Peter, make your calling and election sure. Supplement your faith with moral excellence, love for God, and love for one another.

One significant feature of those for whom Jesus died: At the point of realizing Jesus was crucified for them, it's impossible not to believe. You gave Christ no reason to die for you—you were given to him by the Father, not because you were worthy. That God saves even one from our wickedness demonstrates profound grace, mercy, and love. We all deserved eternal condemnation, yet God chose to save you.

This shouldn't create superiority— you could have been passed over. But God chose you.

Matthew 1 – "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Loving the Atonement

Under this understanding of atonement—limited not in power but in scope, for God's people, the elect—be a youth group that loves the atonement. Don't shy from its difficult questions. It covers God's chosen people.

How do you know you're elect? Do you have any affection for Jesus? Do you love him? When I speak of Jesus dying for your sins, do you realize it's fact? Are you willing to value the atonement above everything?

If so, don't worry about your election. Sit back and bask in the beauty of Christ's work on your behalf. Be youth who love the atonement and value it above all else.