Golgotha Week 1

Story of candy bar being stolen from my me.

(I grudge held for a solid hour.)

Finally I realized it was a stupid candy bar, and my friendship with this person was far greater than holding un-forgivness.

Tonight we kick off a two week series called “Golgotha” in this series we will see Jesus going to the cross and the different aspects that came into play.

-No YTH next week.

-Common Night outside on April 16th with guest speaker Roman Wagner

Scripture:

Luke 23:32–43 NIV

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It’s amazing to me, that Jesus on his death bed offers forgiveness to those who are killing Him, now I know what your thinking, this is Jesus, He had to do this? But I would like to say, Jesus bore the same flesh we carry, yes He was fully God, but He felt the same pain and emotions we do.

His response was forgiveness. What’s your response when others hurt you or offend you?

One and only point: Forgivness is the very heart of God, when you find it for yourself, you can freely give it.

So how do we do this? Easier said than done right?

1.) Forgive before you pray.

Matthew 5:23–24 NIV

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

-Say what? Like for real? Yes, it is an incredible serious thing, that God desires for us to walk in.

-It is simply impossible to pray the will of God for your life while you are harboring unforgiveness in your life, or when someone is harboring unforgiveness against you.

-God cares so much more about our hearts condition, than how eloquent our prayer life is.

2.) Forgive even when it does not make sense.

Peter asks Jesus this question about forgiveness

Matthew 18:21–22 NIV

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

The law stated you needed to forgive someone 6 times, and Jesus took it a step further by saying not even 7 times, but 70 times.

3.) Take in the full story of the cross.

Luke 23:33–34 NIV

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

• At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty.

• At the time, the crucifixion was the “worst” death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet, it was even more dreadful for Jesus, because unlike any other criminals Jesus was to be nailed on the cross by His hands and feet.

• All of this does not even mention the humiliation He passed after carrying his own cross, which weighed 66lbs. for 3 miles, while the crowd spat in his face and threw stones.

• Each nail driven through His hands and feet were 6 to 8 inches long.

• The nails were driven into His hands, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself so that He could breathe. Both of His feet were nailed together, as well, forcing Him to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross.

• A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring

water from his wounds. Then a Roman solider pierced His side with a spear and Jesus poured out all of His blood. • JESUS BLEEDS FORGIVENESS. Every drop says, “I love you, you are worth it, and you are called”.

• The very first thing Jesus says is, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.

Close:

(Story of forgiving the person who hurt me when I was younger.)

Tonight, Jesus is here to forgive you and make you new, but the question is are you ready to walk in forgiveness toward yourself and others?

Pray