How Crucified Are You ?

How Crucified Are You ? Galatians 2:20

Over the last five weeks on Sun. morning we have been looking at the crucifixion. Hopefully, we have a clear understanding of what the crucifixion of Christ means, and what it was like. Yet, tonight do we have a understanding of what it means to be "crucified with Christ"

In order to draw attention to world peace, in 1973 Patrice Tamao of the Dominican Republic allowed himself to be crucified as thousands watched on TV. Tamao had three six-inch stainless steel nails driven through his hands and feet and intended to stay on the cross for 48 hours. However, after 20 hours he requested to be taken down because he had developed an infection.

From the time of Christ’s sacrifice to the present, many have sought to show their devotion to Jesus, secure their own forgiveness, or make some public statement by actually having themselves crucified. In 1965, Daniel Waswa in Kenya compelled his wife to crucify him "for the sins of all Kenyans." (Men don’t let your wives try this at home !)

After reluctantly obeying, his wife collapsed and died-apparently from shock. Daniel was rescued by neighbours, but he later died from an infection.

Hopefully we know that this is not what the Lord was talking about when he said take up your cross, and I hope that we understand that this is not what Paul in speaking of in our text this evening...but what does he mean ? Here are a few thoughts.

I. I Am Crucified With Christ Because He Died For My Sins !

Isa. 53:5-6

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Cor 5:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Gal1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that the might deliver us from this present world according to the will of God and our Father:

As we look upon the crucifixion scene we see three crosses, we see Christ on the middle cross, and thieves on either side, yet I was there. I was crucified with Christ because my sins were nailed to him on that cross !

Rom 6:6 Knowing this that our old man is crucifed with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Song: Thanks To Calvary

Today, I went down to the place where I used to go

Today, I saw the same old crowd I knew before

And when they asked me what had happened, I tried to tell them

Thanks to Calvary, I don’t come here anymore.

Thanks to Calvary I am not the man I used to be

Thanks to Calvary things are different than before

And as the tears ran down my face I tried to tell them

Thanks to Calvary, I don’t live here anymore.Then we went down to the house where we used to live

My little girl ran behind the door, like so many times before

And I said "Honey you don’t need to be afraid,

you’ve got a new daddy now

And I said, "Hon never fear, you’ve got a new mommy here,

Thanks to Calvary we don’t live here anymore.Thanks to Calvary I am not the man I used to be

Thanks to Calvary things are different than before

And as the tears ran down my face I tried to tell them

Thanks to Calvary, we don’t live here anymore.Thanks to Calvary I am not the man I used to be

Thanks to Calvary things are different than before

And as the tears ran down my face I tried to tell them

Thanks to Calvary, I don’t live here anymore.

Thanks to Calvary, we don’t live here anymore.

Because of Calvary and my crucifixion with Christ the Old Man is dead, and I have been made a new creature in Christ Jesus !

II. I Am Crucified With Christ Because He Died In My Stead.

One of the most beautiful pictures of what Christ did for us on Calvary is found in the O.T. book of Genesis in chapter 22. I’m sure you recall the story.

God commanded Abraham to take his only son Isaac and to offer him as a burnt offering on Mt. Moriah.

As Abraham and Isaac made their journey up the hill, Isaac spoke to his father...My father: and he said, Here am I my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering ? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: