Look at This!
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The image of the cross has been a symbol associated with the Christian church since Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary nearly 2,000 years ago!
Today, we are thankful for an empty cross and an occupied throne!
Jesus is RISEN & alive!
As we culminate what many call “Holy Week” & Easter, I’d like to minister to you about the importance & power of the Cross
Why the Cross?
Why the Cross?
Jesus could have been killed in any number of different ways - Stoning, stabbing, being shot with arrows, being drowned, burned at the stake, etc.
So why the cross?
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Redeem = To buy back from underneath; rescue from loss
The cross was the antidote for the curse that came upon all mankind because of Adam & Eve’s sin.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus became (our) sin & the curse and killed them on the cross
The curse & sin couldn’t make it back through the grave like Jesus did
The cross was the place where the “Great Exchange” took place!
Our sinfulness exchanged for His righteousness
How Do We Make the Exchange?
How Do We Make the Exchange?
Just like going to an ATM machine, a bank teller, or a ForeEx desk - you cannot make an exchange or withdrawal without going through the proper process & having the proper access.
Many times, the Old Testament accounts demonstrate spiritual principles in a physical & natural kind of a way that is easier to understand.
Let’s take a look at an event that shows us about the power of the cross over the power of sin & death and demonstrates how to make a withdrawal of life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The vehicle of exchanging death for life is the free-gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ - the cross.
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Brass = Judgement
The people had to look at the image of the thing that was killing them.
It wasn’t enough for the serpent on the pole to be present, they had to look
It’s important that we remember to look at the cross & acknowledge the very trespasses we have made against God because He wants to forgive them all when we repent
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus didn’t come to forgive general sinfulness -
Jesus came to forgive EVERY SINGLE specific trespass in our relationship with God.
WOW…for some (maybe MOST) of us…that’s A LOT!!!
There’s an upside to that realization and understanding
47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
When we see the volume of sin we have been forgiven from & the number of trips we need to take to the cross, we will begin to love more
A Change of Lifestyle:
A Change of Lifestyle:
It’s great to be sorry for what we have done & our sin that put Jesus on that cross, but God wants us to change our way of living & to walk a new way.
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
repentance & conversion = turning around, reverse, or revert
11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Just One Thing:
Just One Thing:
We have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
Let’s see those shortcomings, turn to a different way of living, and make the Great Exchange with Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
What has been blown way out of proportion?
Share about your understanding of what true repentance is in your own words.
Please read Luke 7:47 and share your perspective of this verse (e.g. Do you believe it? Have you experienced this verse being real in your life? Have you tried to quantify how much you have been forgiven? etc.)
What was the most challenging & the most exciting (might be the same thing) thing(s) in this sermon for you personally?