What does it truly cost to be forgiven? In this message launching the Lenten season, Pastor J draws parallels between the ancient burnt offerings of Leviticus and our modern journey toward Easter, revealing that genuine forgiveness always comes at a significant price. Through the lens of Leviticus 1, he illuminates four crucial truths: sin is a universal condition affecting everyone, forgiveness demands a costly sacrifice, God requires complete surrender, and restoration happens best within community. Using a compelling personal story about stealing from a five-and-dime store as a child, Pastor J illustrates how the path to forgiveness requires both personal accountability and communal support. He connects the Old Testament sacrificial system to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, showing how the ancient practice of burning the entire animal—even its entrails and legs—symbolizes the total surrender God desires from us today. As the church embarks on its Lenten journey "From Altar to Cross," Pastor J challenges the congregation to examine their hearts deeply, avoid treating grace casually, and remember that while forgiveness might feel free to us, it cost Jesus everything. His urgent call to action invites believers to bring hidden struggles into the light and experience the transformative power of God's forgiveness within authentic Christian community.
