🔥 Why Did Christ Have to Die? Understanding God's Judgment of Sin

🗡️ This expository sermon was delivered at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Cookeville, TN on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 10:00 am. 🗡️

What if you were standing in a prairie fire with flames of judgment racing toward you—where would you run? This powerful sermon from 1 Peter 3:18 reveals the life-saving answer every person needs to hear.

Pastor Fortunato delivers an expository message explaining why Christ's substitutionary death was absolutely necessary for our salvation. Discover the biblical truth that Christ became sin for us, bore our sins in His body on the cross, and was made a curse so we could receive the blessing of eternal life. This isn't just theological theory—it's the difference between eternal life and eternal judgment.

In this message, you'll learn:

✓ Why God's wrath must be satisfied and how Christ satisfied it (1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

✓ The biblical doctrine of justification and what it means for your standing before God (Romans 3:23-26)

✓ Why the Catholic sacrifice of the mass contradicts Scripture's teaching of one sacrifice for all (Hebrews 10:10-12)

✓ How to share the gospel using John 3:36 and John 5:24 as witnessing tools

✓ The eternal security believers have in Christ—no accusations can stand against God's elect (Romans 8:33-34)

✓ A powerful prairie fire illustration that makes the atonement crystal clear for all ages

This expository sermon cuts through religious tradition and theological gymnastics to present the pure gospel truth: there is only one way to escape God's judgment, and that's through the cross of Jesus Christ where judgment already fell. If you've trusted Christ, your sin has been judged once and for all—you're standing where the fire already burned.

Whether you're seeking salvation, growing in your understanding of biblical atonement, or looking for clear gospel tools to share with others, this message will strengthen your faith and equip you for ministry.

📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, John 3:36, John 5:24, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 8:33-34, Hebrews 10:10-14, Matthew 27:46

Connect with Pilgrim Baptist Church:

🌐 Website: https://pilgrimbaptist.church/

✍️ Pastor Fortunato's Blog: https://fortunato.blog/

📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilgrimBaptistCookeville

💝 Support Our Ministry: https://pilgrimbaptist.church/giving

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