Greatest Sacrifice | Christian Putman

Main message: Jesus is the once-for-all, sufficient sacrifice who paid the full penalty for sin so we are made righteous by grace through faith, not by our works. Believers are called to live as people whose sentence has been served, to repent from practicing sin, and to tell others the good news.

Key points:

• Worth is defined by what someone will pay: God paid the highest price—the spotless Lamb (Jesus)—so every person has value.
• A sacrifice was necessary because God is holy and just; sin carries the penalty of death and must be paid for.
• Old Testament rites (scapegoat, sacrificial lamb, high priest) were shadows pointing to Christ’s work: our sin transferred to him and his righteousness credited to us (the great exchange).
• Jesus’ death and resurrection are the single, sufficient offering (once for all); his resurrection proves the payment was accepted.
• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by adding works to God’s gift; yet Hebrews warns against deliberately persisting in sin after knowing the truth.
• Practical call: respond in repentance and faith, live like your sentence has been served, engage in community and mission to tell others.

Scriptures mentioned: 1 Peter 1:18, Hebrews 10, Romans 3:19, Romans 3:25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians, Genesis, Isaiah