Jesus Died On The Cross Series

GOSPEL DEEP

JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS – HEBREWS 2:14-15

-In 2004 a controversial movie was released.

-Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel this movie was called “The Passion of the Christ”.

-Like many people, we went to see this movie about Jesus and it was a weird experience.

-We sat down in our seats and people were chatting like they always do at movie.

-I remember a man in front of me stuffing his face with popcorn.

-Just a regular night at the movies: It’s a night out, date night, get out of the house and have some fun.

-There was a lot of hype about that movie and people were excited to see it.

-But when the movie began the climate in that room changed almost immediately.

-The Catholics have long since called the sacrifice of Jesus his “passion”, which they derive from the Latin word “passio” which means suffering.

-If the movie had been called “The Suffering of Christ” it probably wouldn’t have sold as many tickets.

-So many were shocked by the horror and gruesome nature of that R-rated film.

-But anyone whose read the Bible’s account of Jesus and the cross knows that it’s an “R-rated” story.

-Jesus suffered as he died a brutal death on the cross.

-I remember people asking me, “How was the movie?” I didn’t know how to answer.

-It was awful. I cried. I’m glad I saw it.

-I don’t want to see it again. I don’t want to buy the DVD.

-It was a sobering reminder that Jesus Christ suffered greatly on the cross for our sins.

-We are in week 3 of our series Gospel Deep.

-We’ve challenged our church to know the gospel and share the gospel. And in order to share it, you have to know it.

-Our youth group has been learning this. I want you to watch this video footage that Justin filmed. VIDEO: Gospel Deep Youth

-Now it’s our turn. Hold those right hands up.

-If your neighbor doesn’t have their right hand up we can safely assume they are Atlanta Falcon fans.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC POINTS OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE?

• Jesus came to save.

• Jesus never sinned.

• Jesus died on the cross.

• Jesus rose from the grave.

• Jesus is coming back.

-If you know these 5 Basic points you’ll have a basic outline.

-This is just a guide to help us know how to share the Gospel.

-And what does the word gospel mean? GOOD NEWS!

-Now, what is our response to the Good News?

-Now raise that left hand up!

-If your neighbor doesn’t have their left hand up we can safely assume they are New England Patriot fans.

• Admit my sin.

• Trust in Jesus.

• Turn away from sin.

• Be baptized.

• Follow Jesus.

-I know some of you are thinking…“I’ve already heard this! Rerun!

-Why do we keep doing this?”

-If followers of Jesus can’t share the message of Jesus, who is going to do it?

-If we don’t know this, we can’t share this, and if we don’t share this unsaved people will never hear the Good News?

-Jesus came to save, Jesus never sinned, Jesus died on the cross.

-Every year we take special time to talk about the cross on Good Friday…but there is so much to cover when it comes to the death of Jesus.

Rom 5:6-9 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

-We sinners were powerless to solve our sin problem: Jesus came

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”

-We established in week 1 that Jesus came to save.

-And that his motivation was love. Not just a loving feeling.

-He laid down his life, proving his love for us.

-And the perfect Son of God died for sinful people like us.

-As we consider the cross this morning I want to approach it from a bit of a different angle.

JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS…BUT WHO KILLED HIM?

-When I would spend the night with my Grandma and Grandpa they watched Murder She Wrote and Matlock.

-I learned early to love a good mystery, especially the ones that have a lot of twists and turns.

-The mark of a great murder mystery is it makes you ask the question “Who dunnit?”

-And the death of Jesus is one of the most complicated plots in all of history. You have to read this book!