What Will You Leave At The Cross?

What Will You Leave At The Cross?

Matthew 27:38-44; Luke 23:39-43

April 9th, 2017

I. The Triumphal Entry Begins The Journey Of Christ To The Cross

A. Palm Branches and Children Singing

B. Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

C. Jesus Cleanses The Temple

D. Jesus’ Authority Questioned

E. Jesus Teaches One Final Time – Parables of The Kingdom and His Second Coming

F. Jesus Celebrates The Passover With His Disciples

G. The Disciples Argue About Who Will Be The Greatest In Christ’s Kingdom

H. Jesus Submits To The Father’s Will In The Garden Of Gethsemane

I. Jesus Is Betrayed By Judas And Arrested

J. Peter Denies Christ

K. Jesus Goes Before the Sanhedrin

L. Jesus Goes Before Governor Pilate

M. Jesus Goes Before King Herod

N. Jesus Goes Back To Pilate Who Tries To Release Him

O. Pilate Orders Jesus Crucifixion

P. Jesus Begins the Walk Down The Via Dolorosa

Q. Jesus Is Crucified.

II. Lingering In The Shadows At The Foot Of The Cross

A. Joseph Of Arimathea and Nicodemus Take Jesus’ Body And Bury It.

B. The Women Prepare Spices For His Burial

C. Left At The Foot of The Cross

1) The prickly crown of thorns – our curse

2) The three iron nails – our sins

3) The bloodstained dirt where the soldiers gambled for Jesus’ garments – our nakedness (shame, guilt)

4) The sign which read in three languages: Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews. – exclusion from God’s presence

5) The cross itself – our death

III. What Else Was Left At The Cross?

A. A Decision

B. Faith

C. Judgment

D. The Wrath Of God

1) My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me!

2) It Is Finished!

IV. What Do We Leave At The Cross?

A. Jesus died for all our bad (sin) moments. Our sins are forever gone as far as God is concerned.

“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25, NASB95)

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12, NASB95)

B. Jesus Will Transform Our Mad Moments. Rather Than Being Bitter At People, We Can Learn To Bless And Serve Others.

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:34)

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17–21, NASB95)

C. Jesus Will Receive Our Anxious Moments And Give Us Peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, NASB95)

D. Jesus Defeated All Fear Of Our Final Moments Of Earth, Because He Defeated Death Itself

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26, NASB95)

How Will Our Lives Be Different As We Leave All These Moments At The Cross? Why Do We Carry These Things Anyway, Knowing What Jesus Has Done For Us?

V. What Else Do We Leave At The Cross? We Leave A Wrong Way Of Seeing God, Ourselves, Others, And Life Itself.

A. We See God As Loving And Inviting, Not As Distant And Accusing

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, NASB95)

B. We See Ourselves – Sinful And Wrecked As We Are – As Deeply Loved And Fiercely Pursued by God.

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

C. We See Others As God Sees Them: So Valuable To God That He Sent His Own Son To Be Sacrificed For Our Sin

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1–2, NASB95)

D. We See Life, Even Its Many Tragedies, As A Grand Story In Which “God Causes Everything To Work Together For The Good Of Those Who Love God And Are Called According To His Purpose For Them

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NASB95)

Who in your world needs to meet Jesus and be saved? Who will tell them? The great story of Easter and all its gifts is a story for sharing with the world. Begin praying for a friend or two or a family member who needs Jesus. Ask God to give you loving courage “to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.”