During this season of Lent, we will be spending five Sundays leading up to Passion Week (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday). Each of these weeks will highlight one aspect of the doctrine of atonement (listed below). Throughout the centuries, atonement has been a hotly debated topic, which is unfortunate. However, a positive result has been a refinement of what the Bible truly teaches throughout church history.

What is atonement? Wayne Grudem defines it as “the work Jesus did in living and dying to earn our salvation.” Another helpful way of understanding atonement is by breaking the work up: “at-one-ment” is how Jesus makes us one with God. We were separated by God because of our sin. In God’s mercy, He established a sacrificial system to atone for sins, but it was insufficient. Hebrews 10:4 says, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Jesus, however, “by means of his own blood,” secured “an eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12), which “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26).

If we are not careful, these five weeks will blend together without any distinction. That is not the goal, nor is it the fact of the many glorious sides of this doctrine. It is true that there is heavy similarities between the five; however, the distinction remains crucial. Three reasons for the importance of highlighting the five benefits of the blood.

First, because they are taught in Scripture. This is the first and greatest reason. God’s holy and inspired word teach several aspects of atonement and all ought to be preached on. Second, because they are different ways to understand the Cross. Jesus did not accomplish one thing, he accomplished many things in his life, death, and resurrection. Third, because there are (at least) five different aspects of the atonement of Christ. Each answer the question: What does the blood of Jesus accomplish? It accomplishes propitiation (Christ is my substitute), justification (Christ is my righteousness), redemption (Christ is my ransom), reconciliation (Christ is my mediator, and pacification (Christ is my victor).

Resources on Atonement

  • James: A 12-Week Study by Greg Gilbert | Get this if you want help studying James, but are not interested in a chunky biblical commentary. This book is a study guide filled with textual insight, thought-provoking questions, and space to meditate on God’s word.

    James by Thomas Manton | This is a chunky biblical commentary. Get this is you’re wanting to nerd the heck out. Manton was a Puritan, a scholar on fire. He dives deeply into the culture, the history, the languages, and all things nerdy.

  • James: Overview by Bible Project (8 min) | This would be really helpful to listen to on your way to church or before small group. Whether it’s once or before every gathering.

    James: Sermon by Mark Dever (34 min) | This would be great to listen to once before you begin studying this letter. Mark Dever preaches a sermon on the overview message of James.

  • Three Reasons to Preach Through James by 9Marks | Despite this article being written to pastors on why they should preach through James, any Christian can read it and easily appreciate why they should sit under the preaching of James.

    An Open Letter to Martin Luther on James by David Mathis | Okay, one of the elephants in the room of church history is how Martin Luther, the Great German Reformer, felt about the epistle James. For several reasons, Luther did not think James was on par with the rest of the New Testament letters. He was wrong. In this open letter, Mathis explains why.

    Commentary on James by Matthew Henry| This is one of the most popular and helpful commentaries out there, plus it’s free.

“[W]hom 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.”
— Romans 3:25 (ESV)

Propitiation: He Stood In My Place

A letter written to a scattered and suffering church. It is possibly the oldest book of the New Testament—written around AD 45. James was most likely written before the Jerusalem Council in AD 50 and certainly before James’ death in AD 62 (according to Josephus). If scholars are correct at dating the destruction of the Jerusalem temple to AD 70, then this letter was written to a people who, in their lifetime, will face historic persecution. James wrote this letter with sagely wisdom to suffering saints. Wartime Wisdom. His purpose was to ensure they had steel spines and soft hearts. If believed, James 1:12 can give us unwavering hope and uncompromising grit.

  • Suffering by Paul David Tripp | This is a really good, gospel-centered resource for anyone who wants to suffer well. Not only is it pastoral with regard to the care, it is also easy to read. This book focuses on how Christians can go through difficult things while still glorifying God.

    The Race Set Before Us by Thomas Schreiner | This is more of an academic study on the theology of perseverance and assurance. This book focuses more on the biblical grounds for endurance and the doctrine of eternal security.

  • A Vibrant Endurance by Matt Chandler (29 min) | In this sermon, Matt Chandler preaches on the joyful reward that will be given to us from God after we endure. This is a wildly encouraging message that I pray blesses you.

    God-Given Reasons to Run with Endurance (17 min) | In this short sermon clip, John Piper exegetes Hebrews 12:1. We can run the race with endurance, anticipating to receive the crown at the end of our life.

  • Lord, Help Me Endure One More Day by Desiring God | We all suffer; most waste it. If you don’t want to waste your suffering, let it produce endurance in you. In this article, the author shares both examples of and practical steps to produce endurance out of your suffering.

    Four Sources of Endurance in Suffering by Kristen Wetherell| How can we press on as we traverse this broken world? In this article, Wetherell shares four encouragements for endurance from James.

  • Read:

    • James 1:12

    • Proverbs 17:3

    Discuss:

    • What does it mean to be blessed? To endure trials? To receive the crown?

    • How does Christ embody this verse and how can we look to him as an example?

    • Share ways that you have been tested/tempted and how you were able to overcome them.

    • Are there trials that you are still enduring that you need your brothers and sisters to come alongside you in prayer?

    Challenge:

    • Live with gospel grit.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”
— James 2:14 (ESV)

Justification: He Made Me Right

Perhaps one of the most controversial topics in all of God’s word. Faith and works. Where do they intersect? Which precedes which? How can I be justified—by faith or works? Too often Christians wiggle their way out of James’ warning because they are trying to pretend like he is at odds with Paul. James 2:24 seems awkwardly opposed to Romans 3:28. The reality is James is talking about sanctification while Paul is talking about justification. Now that that theological debate is settled (tongue-in-cheek), we can receive the charge to work. Don’t work so that you can be saved; work because you are saved. 

Pastor AJ wrote a short book, Faith and Works: The Doctrine of Justification, seeking to relieve the “tension” between Paul’s justification by faith and James’ justification by works.

  • Ploductivity by Douglas Wilson | We are overwhelmed with all kinds of terrible advice on work. People say things like “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” or “Rise and Grind”. And while hard work is a virtue, workaholism is a vice. Ploductivity gives us a theology for work.

    Paul vs James by Chris Bruno | This is an interesting take on the “faith vs works” debate. Bruno is readable and exegetical. He also sets the table for the debate’s cultural context, which helps us better understand the authors, not just the doctrine.

  • Paul vs James? by R.C. Sproul (20 min) | In this message, R.C. Sproul examines the writings of Paul and James in context to help us understand the relationship between faith and works in the life of a Christian.

    Theology of Work by Jonny Ardavanis (42 min) | This sermon on vocation is highly recommended, as well as the rest of the messages within the series.

  • What is the Biblical Understanding of Faith vs Works? by Got Questions| This short article answers the question quickly and with lots of Scripture. A go-to article to share with people.

    What Faith Isn’t and Is by 9Marks | Not only is it helpful to wrap our minds around good works—which are unable to save us, but are evidence that we have been saved—it is also important to understand what faith is not and is. This article seeks to answer that.

  • Read:

    • James 2:14-16

    • Proverbs 14:23

    Discuss:

    • What is the difference between justification and sanctification? How does coincide with faith and works?

    • What “hurt or shame” might you still be holding onto that keeps you from stepping into obedience or service?

    • Who has God placed in your life that needs to see your faith lived out? How do you plan on exemplifying Christlikeness to them?

    Challenge:

    • Work to the glory of God.

“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
— James 3:10 (ESV)

Redemption: He Bought Me Back

Watch your mouth. I mean, seriously. Who among us can honestly say that we have tamed our tongues? “None” is the right answer. And yet, the rebuke in James 3:10 stands. The same mouth that sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in church will sing explicatives in the car. The same mouth will glory or gossip; encourage or complain; laugh or yell. These things ought not be so. What we say, how we say it, and why it’s said all matter to God. Take inventory of your vocabulary and audit your tongue so that your default is to speak life.

  • War on Words by Paul David Tripp | Every day we communicate with others, and frequently miscommunication happens. The gospel, however, transforms our communication, and this book explains how we can honor Christ with our words.

    Sinful Speech by John Flavel | Flavel is one of the most beloved of the Puritan authors, as he combines warm devotion with practical guidance for believers. This book is an excellent guide to honoring Christ with our words. It looks at various kinds of sinful speech and provides biblical direction for keeping our words seasoned and gracious.

  • The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12 by Sinclair Ferguson (66 min) | Here, Ferguson helpfully unpacks this passage for us. An hour long sermon, but it’s worth it.

    Tame the Tongue by Joby Martin (56 min) | Okay, this sermon is on fire. Martin preaches on how powerful words are. Give it a listen.

  • Deadly Poison by Robert Godfrey | A powerful devotional warning us to speak with caution. We should consider how we use our words; speaking false things or true things.

    What Does it Mean That the Tongue is a Fire? by Got Questions| This website is a (mostly) trustworthy source for Bible questions. Not only is it short and sweet, but it’s saturated with Scripture.

  • Read:

    • James 3:3-12

    • Proverbs 15:1

    • Proverbs 18:21

    Discuss:

    • Consider the examples James gives (bits, rudders, and sparks). What do they all have in common and what is James trying to teach us about the tongue?

    • What is the Economy of Words and how can it apply to Christian speech?

    • How does the inability to “tame the tongue” reveal to us our need for the gospel rather than mere self-control?

    Challenge:

    • Be slow to speak. When able to, pause before replying.

“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.””
— James 4:15 (ESV)

Reconciliation: He Brought Me Close

There is a beautiful word in Arabic—inshallah (in-shu-luh). It means “if the Lord wills” and although it is a common expression that many Muslims use, it is still true. God is sovereign over all things, including my schedule. Too often, we live as though we are the sovereign one. We fill our calendar with things we want to do, plans we hope to keep, goals we hope to accomplish. And yet, we seldom pray in humility: inshallah. If the Lord wills, I will travel to Europe or go to college or even wake up tomorrow. When we practice inshallah, we hold our life out with open hands. We depend on God and trust that He will order our life better than we could write for ourselves. All of which will inevitably lead to great peace and deeper joy.

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
— James 5:19-20 (ESV)

Pacification: He Gave Me Peace

Meditate on these lyrics from the classic hymn: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” Death is coming for us all—indiscriminately. Death couldn't care less about your name, your net worth, or your skills. What’s even worse is that our flesh cares so much about those things. No matter where we turn, we are bombarded with temptation—external and internal. Consider these lyrics from another classic hymn: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love: Take my heart, oh, take and seal it; with Thy Spirit from above.” We are prone to wander, indeed. We are in desperate need for our Good Shepherd to rescue us.

  • What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert| This is a really good, gospel-centered resource for anyone who wants to suffer well. Not only is it pastoral with regard to the care, it is also easy to read. This book focuses on how Christians can go through difficult things while still glorifying God.

    Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer | This is a classic. Though it was written to his seminary students during WW2, there is much we can learn from today. Bonhoeffer beautifully describes the responsibility of Christian brothers and sisters to restore and forgive one another.

  • Bringing Back a Wandering Believer by John Piper (12 min) | In this video, Piper slowly and seriously exegetes James 5:19-20. This is a two parter, so you can watch the second video here.

    Bringing Back the Wanderers by Alistair Begg (37 min) | Good sermon. In this message, Begg warns us that our hearts are prone to wander and we need God’s Spirit and God’s people to bring us back.

  • Rescue the Wanderer by Ligonier | All of us have an important part to play in the salvation of others. While we ourselves could never save another soul, God uses us as tools to help place His Word in the hearts of His elect. As Calvin says, “we must therefore take heed lest souls perish through our sloth, whose salvation God puts in a manner in our hands. Not that we can bestow salvation on them; but that God by our ministry delivers and saves those who seem otherwise to be nigh destruction.”

    I Once Was Lost, but Now I Am Found by David Platt | In this article, Platt considers the story of Luke 15 and how God seeks after the lost. We, too, can identify ourselves with the lost. We, too, need God’s gracious help.

  • Read:

    • James 5:19-20

    • Proverbs 14:12

    • Proverbs 28:13

    Discuss:

    • What is the difference between anti-individualism and hyper-individualism?

    • What are some ways our cultural upbringing has impacted our view of community?

    • Where does the gospel fit in with the kind of community James is encouraging?

    Challenge:

    • Joyfully live as an anti-individual.