Jonah (071926)

Announcements

Things to Come Sermon Series

Restoring America’s Biblical Foundation

Neighborhood Bible Time

Message

Turn to and read Luke 23:33-43.

The title of my message this morning, is simply, “The Two Crosses.”

Now, for those of you who have been in church any length of time, you may want to argue with me and say, “No, there were three crosses on top of Calvary that day.” I will agree with you; the text we just read also agrees with you. But, I am also correct in this…there are two crosses that cast a shadow - or desire to cast a shadow - across our lives.

Cross #1

Jesus Christ was crucified on the first cross.

Luke 23:33 KJV 1900

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they [the Roman soldiers] crucified him [Jesus Christ]…

But, even one of the malefactors - actual criminals - that was crucified along with Jesus Christ knew that Christ was innocent!

Luke 23:40–41 KJV 1900

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss [wrong].

Jesus Christ did not deserve to die. And yet, He did…and He did it willingly.

Why?

1 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Turn to and read Romans 5:1, 6-10.

Romans 5:10 KJV 1900

…we were reconciled [brought back] to God by the death of his Son…

This cross, upon which Jesus Christ died, provides the only means for mankind to be brought back into a right relationship with God.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This cross, upon which Jesus Christ died, provides the only means for mankind to experience eternal life!

Back in Luke chapter 23, the criminal that recognized Christ’s innocence, we understood this truth when he said…

Luke 23:42–43 KJV 1900

…Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Have you come to this cross? Has there been a time in your life where you have recognized your guilt and Christ’s innocence? Has there been a time in your life when you put your faith and trust in Christ as your only means for eternal life?

Share my testimony.

That is the first cross…

Cross #2

Turn to and read Galatians 2:16-20.

Paul writes, “I am crucified with Christ…”

On the first cross Jesus died; this was for our eternal life.

On the second cross we die; this is for our everyday life.

Before Christ can live through us, we must die to self.

Roy Hession, in his classic book, The Calvary Road, stated:

The Lord Jesus cannot live in us fully and reveal Himself through us until the proud self within us is broken. This simply means that the hard unyielding self—which justifies itself, wants its own way, stands up for its rights and seeks its own glory—at last bows its head to God’s will, admits its wrongs, gives up its own way to Jesus, surrenders its rights and discards its own glory. This is done so that the Lord Jesus might have all and be all. In other words, it is dying to self and selfish attitudes.

Hession, Roy. The Calvary Road (p. 15). (Function). Kindle Edition.

The early 1900s were years of hardship for many rural preachers. One of those rural preachers was Reverend Cyrus Nusbaum. Reverend Nusbaum served as pastor for many small congregations in Kansas. At one time, he was attempting to pastor 7 different churches at the same time! With all of this, he often faced frequent illness, financial strain, and the discouragement that often accompanies faithful but unseen service.

He was tired and discouraged hoping for an opportunity to preach in “better” locations but that never materialized. He was unhappy and a rebellious had crept into his heart. One night he stayed up late wrestling with God about the matter. About midnight he finally knelt in prayer and told God he could have his way regardless of the cost.

He later described the moment as one of conviction and surrender: “I had been seeking my own way, trying to serve God, but holding on to my plans. Then the question came, ‘Would you let Him have His way with thee?’” This event inspired him to write a hymn that has been sung by countless Christians.

His Way With Thee

Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good? Would you walk with Him within the narrow road? Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load? Let Him have His way with thee.

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call? Would you know the peace that comes by giving all? Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall? Let Him have His way with thee.

His pow’r can make you what you ought to be. His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free. His love can fill your soul, and you will see ’twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

While you may have come to the first cross and received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, what have you done with the second cross?

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

That verse sounds well and good but have we considered what goes along with that surrender?

Stop justifying ourselves and our desire to have our own way.

Giving up our rights for God’s glory; giving up our rights to the use of our time, our possession

Bowing our hearts in surrender to God’s Will. (Yes, God has a will for your life!)

Admitting that we have been wrong in wanting our own way and demanding our rights.

Christian, maybe this morning, your prayer should be…

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.