Crucified Christians

CRUCIFIED CHRISTIANS

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

„X As Christians, we are not promised an easy life.

„X What does it mean to be crucified WITH Christ?

„X We see a hill far away¡K. On that hill stands a cross¡K On that cross hangs God¡¦s son, Jesus. He hangs there not because of wrongs that He has done¡K He hangs there for you and me!

„X The song writer writes¡K

o See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did ere such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown¡K..

„X I know what it means for Christ to be crucified but what does Paul mean when he says, ¡§I am crucified,?¡¨

„X Crucifixion means death¡K

„X If we are crucified, we are dead

o To sin

o To the old life

o To the old lusts

o To the old self

„X The last part of our text says, ¡§I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.¡¨

„X How do we get there?

The human body is probably the most amazing example of teamwork anywhere. Every part needs the other. When the stomach is hungry, the eyes spot the hamburger. The nose smells the onions, the feet run to the snack stand, the hands douse the burger with mustard and shove it back into the mouth, where it goes down to the stomach. Now that’s cooperation!

I. A CHRISTIANS FEET SHOULD BE CRUCIFIED

a. Jesus¡¦ feet were crucified.

b. We must be careful where our feet take us.

c. Never let your feet take you someplace that will dishonor God.

d. If our feet are crucified, we will follow in His steps.

e. Jesus washed His disciples feet.

f. He wants our feet to be clean too.

g. How can you use your feet in God¡¦s service?

i. Missions

ii. Servant hood

The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold on me.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

h. Luke 7:44-48 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Christianity is not "an idea in the air." It is feet on the ground going God’s way.

II. A CHRISTIANS HANDS SHOULD BE CRUCIFIED

Love ever gives, Forgives, outlives, And ever stands With open hands. And while it lives, It gives. For this is love’s prerogative-

O give, and give, and give.

a. Jesus¡¦ hands were crucified

b. Thomas looked at the nail prints in the hands of Jesus¡K.¡¨My Lord and my God!¡¨

c. If our hands are crucified, we will be careful what we handle.

d. Never handle anything that will stain them with sin or wrong.

e. Can you imagine Jesus holding anything sinful in His hands?

f. Ps 7:1-5 O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands- 4 if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe-- 5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

g. He wants you to labor honestly with your hands.

h. Jesus wants you to use your hands to build a tribute to faithfulness.

What does love look like? It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

III. A CHRISTIANS EARS SHOULD BE CRUCIFIED

What should not be heard by little ears, should not be said by big mouths.

a. Matt 13:14-15 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "’You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’