SF582 - AT THE CROSS (Hebrews 12 2)

SF582

AT THE CROSS

Hebrews 12:2

Matthew 27:32-55

INTRODUCTION

At The Cross..                                                                                                                                    Isaac Watts

Alas and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in, When Christ the mighty Maker died For man, the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face While Calvary’s cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes to tears.

“The greatest tragedy and the greatest victory that the world has ever known was the crucifixion of Jesus.” Adrian Rogers

1A.       THE PLACE OF THE CROSS (32-44)

1B.       A Place of Destiny (32-33)

Leviticus 16:20-22

(Heb 13:11 NIV)  The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.

(Heb 13:12 NIV)  And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

2B.       A Place of Disguist (34)                     

(Psalms 69:21)  They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

3B.       A Place of Division (35-38)

Divide possessions (35)

Divided loyalties (36-37)

Divided people (38)

4B.       A Place of Decision (39-44; 55-56)

Reject Jesus (39-44)

Receive Jesus (55-56)

2A.       THE PAIN OF THE CROSS (45-50)

1B.       The Pain of Sin (45)

Darkness is a picture for sin!

(Ephesians 5:8)  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Death is the purchase of sin!

(Ezekiel 18:20)  The soul who sins is the one who will die....

2B.       The Pain of Separation (46-49)

God the Father and God the Son separated for the first and last time in History!

He suffered alone - Unlike David and us...

(Psalms 23:4)  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

3B.       The Pain of Sacrifice (50)

(1 John 2:2)  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

(Hebrews 9:22) ... and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

(1 Peter 3:18)  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

3A.       THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS (51-53)

1B.       Redemption (51a)

(Hebrews 4:16)  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

(1 Peter 1:18-19)  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, (19)  but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

2B.       Resurrection (51b-53)

(1 Corinthians 15:20)  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

(1 Corinthians 15:23)  But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

3B.       Regeneration (54)

(Romans 1:16)  I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe, Here, Lord I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do...

APPLICATION - 1 Corinthians 11:27-30

A Caution Against Carelessness  (11:27)

Careless about our relationship - salvation

Careless about our discipleship - baptism

Careless about our fellowship - daily walk

A Cure for Carelessness (11:28)

Self examination, literally to put yourself to the test; to see what you are made of.  This can be a painful process.

Test your relationship.

Test your discipleship.

Test your fellowship.

The question is not are you worthy to receive the Lord's Supper.  None of are worthy in ourselves for we are all sinners saved by grace.  The question is are you prepared to partake in the Supper in a worthy manner.