At The Cross

At The Cross

Colossian 2:11-15

Aren’t you glad for the cross of Jesus? We would be nothing without Jesus and His sacrifice at Calvary! Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life …no man comes to the Father except through Him” - This salvation that I speak of cost a great price and Jesus paid that price AT THE CROSS. (While we are at it let me say that that debt was my debt and it is PAID IN FULL!!! Though times have changed… though the blood is often ignored …and the cross is at times watered down or avoided…. IT IS STILL THE CROSS!

"It’s Still The Cross"

"It’s Still The Blood Of Calvary"

"That Cleanses Sin"

"And Sets the Captive Free"

"It’s Still The Name, The Name Of Jesus"

"That Has Power To Save The Lost"

"IT’S STILL THE CROSS"

(Composers: Niles Borop, Luke Garret, Mike Harland, Buddy Mullins)

It is that cross that I would like to consider today. Join me as we preach on the subject “At The Cross”

There was a custom in Rome, when a man was condemned for a crime, if he were put in prison, they would nail a certificate of debt to the prison door.On that certificate of debt would be written the crime that this man was guilty of, the number of years that he would stay in prison—days, months, or whatever. And, when he had fulfilled his duty to the law, his certificate of debt was marked paid in full. It was taken, given to the judge, who would have it notarized; and, he would carry it with him. And, if anybody were to accuse him of that crime again, he could pull out the certificate of debt, and say, “Yes, I may have been guilty, but I have paid in full. You’re not going to bring me into double jeopardy; I’ve already paid for that crime.” - (Adrian Rogers: Nailed to the cross)

If a man was guilty of a capital offense and condemned to die, they would write that offense on a placard and nail it to his cross above his head. Remember that Pilate did this to Jesus. Above His head, nailed to His cross was a sign that stated “Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews”

Roman crucifixions were done in public. The authorities wanted people to see a man die in agony. On that cross, would be the crime that was committed. The goal was for every citizen who walked by to say, “I’ll never do that! - In our text we find that there was something else “Nailed to the cross of Jesus” - v14 speaks of “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us”

We know that Jesus was sinless - 2 Corinthians 5:21 “Him who knew no sin, God had made to be sin for us” - Christ became sin for us and from God’s point of view, our sin was “nailed on the cross.”

If we had been on that cross God could have nailed many different sins over our head! What would yours say?

 Liar?

 Cheater?

 Thief?

 Adulterer?

 Blasphemer?

 Murderer?

God could have simply nailed a copy of the 10 commandments over our head! We are as guilty of the death of Christ as if we had driven the spikes into His wrists personally! Yes, He willingly died …but He died for and because of you and me! What a blessing to think that Jesus knew me, yet He loved me! He knew how wretched and sinful we would be, but He went to the cross anyhow! - Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

When we think of all that Christ has done for us & consider those things that are yet to come we must remember the cost! We must REMEMBER THE CROSS! In verses 11 & 12 we see that:

I. At The Cross Our Lives Were Transformed v11-12

A. The Process Of This Transformation - v11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Paul says that when you came to Christ, you were “circumcised”. This circumcision was not a physical procedure but a spiritual one. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision by cutting away your sinful nature. Notice that Christ is the One who performed this procedure!

Today, too many people are trying to clean themselves up! This is not possible but some amazing things take place when Jesus cleans you up. Notice:

B. The Result Of This Transformation - v12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.