Calvary The Place Of Crucifixion!

PP0710 DATE

CALVARY THE PLACE OF

CRUCIFIXION!

Lu 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (KJV) The word “Malefactor” means a criminal – evil doer.

INTRODUCTION: The Cross is one of the most sacred instrument that is mentioned in the Bible. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) We have all been driving on a certain street or roadway and see a small cross that has been placed by the roadside marking the place where someone’s loved one was killed in an auto accident. The Cross is the symbol of death. To a Christian it is the symbol of our life in Christ Jesus. The crucifixion was death for Christ, but life for the believer.

Sermons and hymns about the Cross are a comforting love letter from God. The cross is the center of the Christian’s life. If he omits the cross from his daily thought life, and his mediation he will become cold, indifferent, and uncaring. I love the hymns about the Cross. They always bring tears to my eyes, and a joy to my soul.

The cross is the most important subject in all of the Bible. All of the Old Testament points the readers ahead to the Cross. When we speak of the cross we do not make reference to the wooden instrument, rather the symbol. Reference to the cross is speaking about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) When Paul wrote of the cross in this verse he was referring to the death and shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no saving ability in the wooden instrument in which Jesus died on. The cross, itself, was not preserved. In a few years it deteriorated and returned to dirt.

All of the New Testament reminds the believers what happened on the Cross. The cross is our life line. It is the reason for all of our preaching. Preaching often on the cross will keep a congregation intimate in their relationship with Christ. It will keep us focused on the true message of this church.

I want to share four thoughts about the Cross or the place called “Calvary”.

I. "CALVARY, THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED"

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the greatest event that ever happened. It was by the crucifixion that the shed blood of Christ was completed. Without the cross mankind would have no means of salvation. Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (KJV)

God used the cross to fulfil His plan of atonement for the unsaved. We usually term people that are lost as being unsaved or an unbeliever.

There is a difference in one who is unsaved and one who is an unbeliever. An unbeliever refuses to believe and has his belief in another system. He discounts all credibility of the Bible. He doesn’t believe in God – He doesn’t believe the Bible is true. (Let me say this – from the beginning of time to this very moment the Bible has been accurate. Everything has come to pass just as it predicts. Therefore why wouldn’t it be trustworthy for the future?) An unbeliever refuses to believe. The destiny is no different for either.

An unsaved person has never placed his faith in Jesus Christ, He may or may not believe in God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. An unsaved person could even be a member of a church. Or he may take no thought of spiritual matters at all. Both the unbeliever and the unsaved man go to the same place – Hell – for the same reason. Both ignored the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

Listen to Rev. 21:8 - Re 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV) Why would anyone ignore the saving grace of God knowing that Rev. 21:8 is in the Bible?

All throughout the O.T. we see over and over the blood atonement made for the sins of Israel. The O.T. is full of promises about a New Covenant – a blood sacrifice that would once and for all atone for man’s sin. In Hebrews we see that New Covenant confirmed. Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.