March 25, 2018

The Passion of the Cross

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: John 19:16–30

The Passion Of The Cross:

John 19:16-30:

“All of heaven was interested in the cross of Christ.  All of hell was terribly afraid of it.  While men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning.”  Oswald Chambers

  1. Viewpoints Of The Cross
  • Eternal Viewpoint

for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:27–28)

  • Human Viewpoint

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” (1 Corinthians 1:22–23)

  1. The Pain Of The Cross
  • Social Pain
  • Physical Pain
  • Spiritual Pain

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”” (Matthew 27:46)

  1. The Purpose Of The Cross
  • Payment

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

  • Proof

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

  • Power

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

  1. Our Response To The Cross
  • Repent and Believe

But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:18–19)

  • Love God

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37–38)

We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

  • Hate Sin

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

  • Tell Others

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18–20)

Making It Personal:

  • Have I responded to Christ in repentance and trust?
  • Have I publicly identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the waters of baptism?
  • How does my life demonstrate a growing love for God and a growing hatred of sin?
  • How can I become more proactive in sharing the love and truth of Jesus Christ with others?