Romans 3:23

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

INTRODUCTION

If someone asked, “What is the heart of the gospel?” most Christians would say, “Jesus died for our sins.”

But how did He die for our sins?
The Bible uses one of the most important words in all of Scripture:

PROPITIATION

—Christ’s sacrifice that satisfied God’s holy wrath against sin.

This is not a cold theological term.
It is the warmest truth in the universe.
It is God saying:
“I love you enough to deal with your sin Myself.”

1. THE PROBLEM: GOD IS HOLY, AND WE ARE SINFUL

The Bible says in Romans 3:23,
“All have sinned…”

Because God is holy, He must judge sin.
If He ignored sin, He would stop being good.
So humanity stands guilty, condemned, and unable to save itself.

This is our greatest problem—not sickness, not politics—
but that we are sinners facing a holy God.

2. THE SOLUTION: GOD SENT A PROPITIATION

Now hear the good news in 1 John 4:10:

“In this is love… that God sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

God did not demand that we find a sacrifice.
God provided the sacrifice.

Jesus stepped into our place, took the punishment we deserved, and satisfied God’s justice.

Propitiation means:

• God’s wrath is real.
• Jesus bore it.
• God’s justice is satisfied.
• We are forgiven.

3. THE BEAUTY OF WHAT JESUS ACCOMPLISHED

A. He took our wrath.

He drank the cup of judgment so we never have to.

B. He paid our debt.

Nothing remains for us to add.

C. He reconciled us to God.

No more barrier.
No more condemnation.
No more fear.

D. He proved God’s love.

The cross is God shouting from heaven:
“I love you this much.”

4. THE RESULTS FOR US TODAY

Because Jesus is our propitiation:

A. We have peace with God.

You don’t have to fear God’s anger anymore.

B. We have assurance.

Your salvation rests on Christ’s finished work—not your performance.

C. We can love others.

1 John 4:11:
“If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

D. We worship.

The cross becomes the center of our hearts and lives.

CONCLUSION

What is propitiation?

It is Jesus stepping into your place,
taking what you deserved,
so you can receive what He deserved.

It is the heart of the gospel,
the proof of God’s love,
and the ground of our hope.

Look to Christ.
Rest in Christ.
Trust in His finished work.

He is your propitiation—
your peace, your righteousness, your salvation.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Thank You that in Jesus, justice is satisfied and mercy is poured out.
Help us trust fully in His finished work and live in the peace He purchased.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!