What’s so Good about Good Friday? Message 3

What’s so Good about Good Friday?

Message 3

The Power of the Cross to Set us Free

Review:

1. Because of Good Friday we have the forgiveness of sins

a. Titus 2:11 (NIV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people

2. The Healing Power of the Cross

a. 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.

Me:

Why can’t I stop?

a. My willpower is at level 2

i. I want to do the right thing

ii. Facebook memories

We:

Why can’t WE stop?

a. Those bad habits

i. CR reminds us that we all have a habit, hurt, hang-up.

ii. And we have all tired to break those habits

b. Maybe it went something like this

i. You prayed – You promised God – Stopped for a little bit – Fell off the wagon

ii. You’re gonna stop losing your temper, stop cussing.

iii. But on the way home from some jerk or those kids or a hatful text

iv. You feel guilty scroll Facebook you now you feel even worst

v. You eat half the snacks – lose your temper – you cuss

c. Why can’t we stop?

i. Right intentions – wrong strategy

ii. There may be multiple factors working against us

iii. But there is one thing working for you

God:

The power of the cross

It can set us free!

Galatians 2:20 NLT

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

ii. My old self – Mr. willpower – bad habits

iii. Crucified – with Christ

iv. Christ lives in me. A matter of the heart

v. So how do I live? By trusting

vi. God loves me!!

b. “Who loved me and gave himself for me.”

i. What do we call that?

Grace

iii. How are you saved?

By grace through faith

v. Such a powerful verse READ IT AGAIN

You:

Right intentions – wrong strategy

Being religious

Galatians 2:21 NIV

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

b. What is religion?

i. Religion is your attempt to earn God’s approval by following the rules.

ii. You are trying to meet your needs with something besides God. (willpower)

iii. Trying to please God – Without God

c. Here’s what most Christians do

i. They are saved by grace

ii. Now it’s all on me.

iii. I’ve got to get it done

iv. Try hard

v. Check the boxes

vi. Follow the rules

vii. Try to be good

viii. Try not to get mad

ix. Try not to lust

x. Ends in failure

xi. Agree?

We:

The grace that saves you is also the grace that sustains you.

The focus of religion is outward

i. Stop yelling at kids—Stop smoking—Drinking—Addiction.

The power of grace is inward.

i. Jesus did this on the cross

ii. Focus on the relationship

iii. Religion says try harder

iv. Grace says trust more

v. “So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God”

c. This requires honesty

i. Sin grows in the darkness

ii. Getting help bring in the light

The grace that saves me is also the grace that sustains me