The Gospel Project: The Crucified King

Get two students to do a trust fall

Struggle to trust

Struggle to trust God in our struggles

Can trust His authority

Main Point: Jesus gave up His life to provide salvation to all who repent of their sin.\

Jesus extended forgiveness to the executioners

Luke 23:32–38 ESV

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

V.32:

Two criminals

Three crosses

V. 33:

Galgotha = “The skull” in Aramaic

V.34:

Jesus practices what he preached on forgiveness

More than “turning the other cheek”

Radical love

Jesus’s rejection need not be permanent

V. 35:

Mocking Jesus

Trying to get him ti “prove” himself

V. 36-37

Mockery from soldiers (mocked with sour wine)

Cheap wine used by the poor

V. 38:

Sign put there by Pilate

“What I have written, I have written.”

Q. Why is it hard to forgive those who hurt us (mock us, betray us, etc).?

Bottom line: Its hard to let go of hurt

Jesus looked past their actions to see their need for God

We can do the same

Q. What do Jesus’s actions on the cross show about His love for us?

Physical pain = hard to focus on anything else (its consuming)

Jesus mind is still fixed on His purpose

Main Point: Jesus gave up His life to provide salvation to all who repent of their sin.\

Jesus extended forgiveness to the executioners

Jesus promises salvation to the repentant

Luke 23:39–43 ESV

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

V. 39:

Ironic: Jesus could only save if He actually stayed on the cross

V.40-42

Realizes what he has done = integral part in repentence

V.43:

The criminals vague “when” is answered with a “today”

And the criminal will be there, too!

No limits on those who can be saved

Q. Wen have you placed limits on those God is able to save? Why?

We categorize people as “good” or “bad” based on their actions

When we do this we are putting limits on what GOd can do

He offers salvation to all

Q. The criminal had no time to live out, or prove, His salvation. What does this show you about salvation?

Salvation isn’t earned; it is a gift

Main Point: Jesus gave up His life to provide salvation to all who repent of their sin.\

Jesus extended forgiveness to the executioners

Jesus promises salvation to the repentant

Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father

Luke 23:44–49 ESV

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

V. 44:

It is dark at the most unlikely time

V. 45:

Veil = separateness from God

Torn > access to the very presence of God

V. 46:

All according to His plan

Obedience to the Father as He returns to Him

V. 47:

The centurion has faith

What did the centurion recognize about Jesus? Why?

He saw His trust in God and His forgiveness

V. 48:

They mourn for the one that they crucified

V.49

Jesus’ frienda re processing everything

They would become Luke’s primary sources

Q. Jesus entrusted Himself to God in His most painful moment. When have you struggled to entrust a situation to God?

Trust Him bc he is faithful