Nailed To The Cross

NAILED TO THE CROSS

TEXT:

Col 2:13-15

INTRODUCTION:

In the ancient world the Greek term here translated as "written code" (Col. 2:14), referred to a handwritten certificate of indebtedness that obligated the signer. This note stood between him and the person he owed until it was paid. This debt would often become a heavy burden which the debtor was unable to pay. Paul says here that Christ "took it away" and nailed it to the cross.

(This sermon was illustrated by taking pieces of poster board with the various burdens or sins written on them, and either stapling or nailing them to a large wooden cross as they were mentioned in the sermon)

I. SIN’S GUILT AS A BURDEN

A. ALL HAVE SINNED - Romans 3:23

1. You have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

2. If you are a Christian, then the Holy Spirit has brought you to a realization of your lost

condition at some point in your life.

3. At some point you have recognized your need for a savior.

4. You’ve placed your faith in Christ to save you and reckon your sins as being nailed to

the cross.

B. BURDENS ARE LIFTED AT CALVARY

1. Jesus has said, "Come unto Me. I will take your burden away.

2. He says, "I will remove your sins as far as the east from the west."

3. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near!

C. THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

In the ancient city of Venice there was a bridge called "The Bridge of Sighs." At one end of

the bridge there was a courtroom; at the other end there was a dungeon. Above the door to

the dungeon were the words, "Abandon hope all ye that enter herein." Try to picture a man

who has been sentenced to spend his life in that dungeon. As he walks across the bridge he

takes a last long look at the sun and bids a last farewell to his loved ones. He is going to spend

the rest of his life without hope and without light. But while he is crossing the bridge, a court

official stops him and presses a paper into his hand. When he looks at the paper he finds that

it is a pardon. His eyes are soon dimmed by tears. He is free now; his sorrow has been turned

to joy. He goes home to live a new life.

1. That is the picture of Jesus Christ.

2. Men are on the way to hell without God and without hope.

3. But Jesus pardons us, nails our burdens to the cross, and gives us new life when we come

to Him.

II. OBSESSIONS AS BURDENS

A. SLAVES TO SIN

1. The lost man is a slave to sin.

2. Sin has a death hold on the lost.

3. Men are not able to overcome sin in themselves.

4. They need the help that only Jesus can give.

B. THE DRUNKARD

1. A few years ago I knew a young man who was an habitual drunkard.

2. I visited him and tried to help him.

3. He told me that the doctors had said his drinking was going to kill him.

4. They said he was going to die an early death if he didn’t stop.

5. He assured me that he was going to quit.

6. But, his good resolution didn’t last.

7. You see, a man needs more than human strength to overcome sin.

8. He failed because he didn’t allow a Higher Power to control his life.

9. Jesus was willing to take his burdens, but he would rather try to drink them away.

10. We have men all over this church who have been delivered from alcohol and can testify

to the power of God.

11. But, this young man wouldn’t go to the cross with it.

C. THE DRUG ADDICT

1. We had a young mother who came to this church when I first started pastoring here.

2. She had two beautiful daughters and a husband who loved her.

3. She began to sell her body to buy drugs.

4. She tried to hide her sin from her husband.

5. When he found out, she lied and told him that she wasn’t doing drugs anymore.

6. She was destroying her family and endangering her children.

7. Her husband and children still faithfully attend this church.

8. She wouldn’t leave her drugs, but she did leave her family.

9. I know the power of the cross works.

10. I’ve seen Charlie Sanchez, whose mind was roasted by drugs, get saved, delivered, and

eventually healed by the power of God!

11. I could give you countless other examples.

12. Our BURDENS are nailed to the cross at Calvary!

D. TOBACCO HABITS