Christ's Compassion On The Cross Series

You do realize that those thoughts/ actions/ words you’ve said - those things that brought you shame - they’re all sins.

The Bible says we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Those things that brought us shame - they all remind us that we don’t deserve heaven.

That we deserve Hell.

The Bible tells me that all of us deserve to go to Hell.

None of us are good to be good enough to stay out of hell.

Because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

We all deserve to go to Hell.

It’s for YOU and ME that Jesus said “Father Forgive Them”

Jesus literally died on the cross … to stand between us AND Hell.

Jesus died FOR us so we wouldn’t get what we deserve.

Romans 5:8 says “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He died for you and for me.

CLOSE: Now, my question for you this morning is this?

Did Jesus give His life for you in vain?

Did He die for you… only to have you reject Him

ILLUS: A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, his son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Easter, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."

The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.

"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son BEFORE he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited to the great paintings and and at having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."