It Took Just One—Once (Hebrews 9:26)

Written by By Pastor Jim Henry

What Christ meant to do on the cross, He accomplished.
He did not die in vain; He died with no part of His work left undone.
He did not die to make us savable; He died to save us.
He did not die that sin might be vanquished by some effort of our own; He died to vanquish sin Himself—once and forever.

On This Topic

In Remembrance of Me - A Lord's Supper Manual

In Remembrance of Me: A Manual on Observing the Lord's Supper

In this authoritative guide to the Lord's Supper, Jim Henry underscored the biblical basis for the practice, then offers practical suggestions for congregations seeking to conform their worship service to the will of God.

One death.
One sacrifice.
One atonement.
One cross.
The whole gospel was hung on the cross.

One price and purchase.
One cross and crown.
One death and deliverance.
One, and only once.
The Savior said victoriously, “It is finished!”

I. One Person—“He”

Who was He?
He was very God of very God.
He was commissioned by the Father to vanquish sin (John 6:4).
He was the Messiah, pledged by God’s covenant to deliver His people (John 1:41).
He was chosen (1 Pet. 1:20).

God didn’t send a mighty angel.
He didn’t send a mighty army.
He didn’t send a mighty man.
He sent His Son—Himself.

II. One Period—“Appeared Once”

He appeared as a babe in Bethlehem;
The infinite linked with the Infant.
He who laid out the heavens,
Now lay upon a woman’s breast.

He invaded time and history.
He came as the God-Man.
He was unique.

No one was like Him in the past.
No one was like Him in the present.
No one would be like Him in the future.
He appeared once.

He is “Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).
He is King of kings.
He chose not to stay on His throne.
He came to earth for one brief period of time.

III. One Purpose—“To Do Away with Sin”

A. Sin and Its Presence

Sin is a reality for fallen man (Rom. 3:23).

B. Sin and Its Price

Sin cannot be tolerated by a just and holy God, as sin is contrary to His perfect nature.

1. Separation and reconciliation.

Sin, producing enmity between God and man, requires
atonement for the restoration of man’s relationship with God (Rom. 5:10).

2. Condemnation and satisfaction (Rom. 5:18; 6:23; 8:1).

Sin’s satisfaction is what we celebrate as we gather at His Table. As we partake of the elements, representing His body and blood given in atonement for our sin, let us receive with assurance the benefits of His grace. As believers we have been redeemed and restored in our never-ending relationship with the Prince of Peace.

IV. One Payment—“Once for All . . . the Sacrifice”

In the Old Testament, the sacrifice was a personal, spiritual encounter with God. Sacrifices were offered to satisfy God, who was present in judgment and mercy. A blood sacrifice was demanded. This had to be repeated time and again. Jesus’ perfect sacrifice accomplished “once for all” all God demanded as the payment for our sin. No longer would other sacrifices be required. In holy Communion, we remember all Christ has accomplished for us in His sacrificial death.

Excerpted from Jim Henry, comp., In Remembrance of Me, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), pp. 126–129.

Jim Henry is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Orlando

Sermon from Proclaim! Winter 1999