The Pain and The Promise

Easter re-cap

Thank everyone, share story’s, etc..

Starting a new series; The Four Cups. I’ve gleaned a few thoughts from Chris Hodges book; The Four cups, coupled with some of my own study and thoughts and experiences. we’re going to study words and concepts like; Sanctification, Deliverance, Redemption, and Praise. These are the promises of God that have been disclosed to us by Jesus death on the cross.

Each point of pain on the cross is for a promise from heaven.

The pain

1

John 19:1 NIV

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

2-3

John 19:2–3 NIV

2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

4-6

John 19:17 NIV

17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

Luke 23:33–34 NIV

33 they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

7

John 19:33–34 NIV

33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

Colossians 2:14–15 NLT

14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

The greatest powers of the earth at that time—Rome, the greatest governmental power and Judaism, the greatest religious power—conspired together to put the Son of God on the cross. “These powers, angry at his challenge to their sovereignty, stripped him naked, held him up to public contempt, and celebrated a triumph over him.” (Wright)

The paradox of the cross is that while jesus was publicly being shamed spiritually He was stripping and shaming all spiritual rulers and authorities.

Satan’s strategies might work against the world but not against us. Jesus broke the power of hell and has given authority to us.

In our weakness He is made what? strong. 2 Cor 12:9

Don’t disregard or underestimate the struggle. Sometimes when were grappling with things were just gaining authority over them.

1 Peter 2:24 NLT

24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

The promise

God has made you some promises. He made them at the very beginning- Not the beginning of your life, but from the beginning of faith. When you were processed by the cross there is promises on the other side.

Rescue you from bondage. Deliver you from whatever holds you back. Discover his original intent for your life. Make you part of a family that makes a difference in the world.

1 Corinthians 2:7–9 NLT

7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Everyday promises are being made; marriage. Politicians are always making promises they can’t keep. Businesses make promises to take care of their employees but often downsize or outsource the work. We’re let down by broken promises in every facet of life. The American dream has become a broken promise for many young people. No wonder we’ve become jaded, cynical, and an untrusting people.

Promise; “An offer with a guaranteed result.”

I’m convinced that God is the only one who can keep a promise. He always comes through. It might not be on my timing butHe’s never failed. We can get discouraged in the waiting

Psalm 138:2 NLT

2 I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Our timetable

Numbers 23:19 NLT

19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

We can trust Him!

Exodus 6:6–8 NIV

6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’ ”

This is celebrated by the four cups of wine during passover.

1. “I will free you from your oppression.” 2. “ I will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt.” 3. “ I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.” 4. “ I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God.”

These four cups hold the same promise for us today who have surrendered our lives to God and have been grafted into his family through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:18–21 NIV

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Faith does not rest upon promises. Faith rests upon character.

Tackle life’s problems by trusting God’s promises.

Are you a:

Grumbler Stumbler Second Guesser

The Israelites grumbled, stumbled, and second guessed for forty year.

When life doesn’t make much sense, we must hold on to those promises as the basis of our faith in God and our hope for what he’s going to do.

Let God’s promises shine on your problems.

Corrie Ten Boom