What I want you to do is to take your Bibles now, and turn to Colossians chapter
2—would you do that? It’s important that you turn to the Scripture—Colossians chapter 2. You know how to find Colossians. Do you get confused? I’ve told you this before: “General Electric Power Company”—Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. So, find Colossians—just keep on going until you get there, and get in chapter 2. And, let me read to you some Scripture, beginning in verse 13: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him,”—now, the word quicken means, “made alive”; he’s made alive together with Jesus. Now, here’s a great part—“having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,”—now, don’t miss the next phrase—“nailing it”—nailing it—“to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:13–15).
And, I’m going to stop reading there. There’s more in this chapter that we’re going to read; but I have told you before, it was a custom in Rome, when a man was adjudicated guilty, condemned for a crime, if he were put in prison, they would take something and nail it to the prison door. It was called a certificate of debt. On that certificate of debt would be written the crime that this man was guilty of, the number of years that he would stay in prison—days, months, or whatever. And, when he had fulfilled his duty to the law, his certificate of debt was marked paid in full. It was taken, given to the judge, who would have it notarized; and, he would carry it with him. And, if anybody were to accuse him of that crime again, he could pull out the certificate of debt, and say, “Yes, I may have been guilty, but I have paid in full. You’re not going to bring me into double jeopardy; I’ve already paid for that crime.”
Now, what about if a man were guilty of a capital offense? They would take the offense that he’d done, and they would nail it to his cross above his head. That’s the reason that Pilate nailed above the head of the Lord Jesus, “This is Jesus,” or, “Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews”—it was sarcasm. Here was a man who made Himself King; and, that’s why Pilate allowed Him to be crucified—because it was insurrection against Caesar; it was a crime worthy of death. And, the Romans would put on that cross whatever that individual had done. And, they crucified people openly, in public; and, they wanted people to see a man die in agony, and pain, and blood, and anguish upon that cross. And, up there, on that cross, would be what that man had done. And, every citizen who walked by would say, “I’ll never do that—no sir, I will not buy me one of those crucifixions. Whatever it is on that cross, whatever that person did, I will never do it, because I don’t want to end up there.” You understand? So, that was what they did in Rome, so long ago.
Now, from God’s point of view, there was something else that was nailed to that cross, and that was God’s holy law. It’s called here, in the scripture that I read to you, the handwriting of ordinances. Do you see it here, in verse 14? It says He was “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” (Colossians 2:14). God’s holy law was nailed up from the heart and mind of God on that cross. Well, had Jesus broken the holy law of God? No. But, “Him who knew no sin, God had made to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And so, Jesus Christ is adjudicated guilty of breaking the holy commandments of God—one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. This handwriting of ordinances, from God’s point of view, was nailed on the cross. They thought He was dying for sins against Caesar, but what He was dying for was our sins against God—our sins against God.
You see, He was in our place. Had you and I been up there, God could well have put the Ten Commandments up there and said we’re guilty of those, right? There’s no one here who would say, “I’ve not sinned.” Matter of fact, the Bible says, “If we break the law in one point, we’re guilty of all” (James 2:10). All of those Ten Commandments could be put above our head, had we hung there, upon that cross.
Now, when Jesus died, it was both tragedy and triumph. It was tragedy, because it was the dirtiest deed ever done. They lied on Him; they abused Him; they misused Him. And, you and I were guilty of it; we were there. Our sins were the nails that put Jesus Christ on that cross, and our hard hearts were the hammers that drove those nails. He died because of our sin. Yes, He willingly died; but, had we not sinned, He never would have died, for He would not have needed to die. And so, on the one hand, it was tragedy, but was, on the other hand—listen—it was triumph. Now, there was someone else nailing some things that day. There was someone else who was nailing some things to that cross, and His name was Jesus.
Look again at the Scripture—look in verse 13: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he [made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances”—that’s the law—“that was against us, which was contrary to us,”—now, watch it—“and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:13–14). You say, “Well, Jesus was nailed to the cross by the Romans.” Yes, He was, but Jesus Himself nailed the law to the cross. Now, don’t get confused—but, while Jesus, the darling Son of God, was being crucified, He Himself was nailing something to that cross.
I. Six Things that Jesus Nailed to the Cross
Now, what I want to do tonight for our New Year’s service—I want to mention six things that Jesus nailed to the cross. These are six enemies that you are going to face this coming year, and I want you to walk out of this building tonight, saying, “Thank God. Hallelujah! Jesus, my dear Savior, has nailed these things to the cross for me.” When He was being nailed to the cross, He nailed these things to the cross.
A. The Condemnation of Sin
Now, first of all, Jesus nailed the condemnation of sin—the condemnation of sin was nailed to the cross. Look in verse 13: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:13). My sin, your sin, our sin was nailed to the cross. What does that mean? It means He paid my debt; He bore my punishment; and He has taken my sin, nailed it to the cross. And, therefore, it was buried, when Jesus was buried, in the grave of God’s forgetfulness.
Put these scriptures down—Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Put this down—Romans 8:33 and 34: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:33–34). Now, what he’s saying is this: “Who now can point the finger of accusation at me, at you, at us, because of our sin? Who can condemn us?” Now, friend, there are plenty who will try to condemn you. Has anybody ever told you to go to Hell? Wait around, some will—they’ll tell you right off.
What he’s asking is not, “Who will try to do it?” What he’s asking is, “Who is qualified to condemn us?” The only One who could ever condemn us is God Himself, and God Himself has counted us righteous. He has justified us, and the verdict of the supreme court of the universes is never going to be reversed. The Bible says, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33). Friend, you are justified by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, because your sins were nailed to the cross. And, He has given you, now, a certificate of debt; and, on that certificate of debt is written, in the crimson blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, “Paid in full”—“Paid in full.”
That doesn’t mean that, if you sin, God’s going to overlook your sin. He’ll carry you to the woodshed. Your daddy ever carry you to the woodshed? We didn’t have a woodshed; we had a pump house—did just as well. I went out there on more occasions than I want to rehearse right now, but I was still my father’s son. My father would never condemn me; he would chastise me. But, there’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Now, I want to say that the condemnation of sin was nailed to the cross. Can you say amen to that? I want you to think of anything you’ve done—the worst thing you have ever done or will ever do. If you are in Christ, no sin—none, not one scintilla of an iota— can ever be marked up against you. If it were, you’d be condemned; you’d go to Hell, because God cannot let sin into Heaven. It doesn’t mean God will not chastise you; it does mean that you can sin. As a matter of fact, if you have a desire to say, “Well, I’m saved now—I’ll sin all I want to,” I doubt you’ve ever been saved. I sin all I want to—I don’t want to. You need to get your wanter fixed. No, you need to get a new one. But, the child of God who may sin can never, never—no, never, ever—come into condemnation. That sin was nailed to the cross.
B. The Curse of the Law
Now, secondly, I want to tell you what else is nailed to the cross: Not only the condemnation of sin, but the curse of the law was nailed to the cross. Look here, in verse 14: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). Now, the law is good. God’s holy law is without blemish, without fault. But, brothers and sisters, because we’re sinners, to us, the law is a curse—the law is a curse.
The Bible says He took “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” (Colossians 2:13). Listen to these two scriptures—first of all, Galatians 3, verse 10: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). Now, listen to Galatians 3, verse 13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). When Jesus became a curse—He who never did anything wrong—when Jesus was stretched out on that hellish cross, Jesus was made a curse for us, and He redeemed us. He removed us from the curse of the law. I’m telling you, the law is good. But, the Bible says that, if you try to live by the law in order to get to Heaven, friend, you’re cursed. I mean, the wrath of God is upon you.
You see, the people say, “I’m just going to keep the Ten Commandments—that’s my religion.” Well, if that’s your religion, you’re going to Hell, because you’re under a curse. Is there any here who would dare say, “I’ve never, at one time, at any time, had an evil thought, a covetous thought; never, at one time, lusted; never, at one time, told a lie; never, at one time, took anything that didn’t belong to me; never, at one time, was filled with pride, jealousy, vengeance?” Of course not. Yet, the Bible says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).
You say, “I don’t understand that.” Well, suppose you’re hanging over a fire by a forged chain of steel. And, it has nine links of forged steel, and one is crepe paper. How safe for you! Doesn’t make any difference if one link breaks or if all 10 break—you go in the fire, because God demands perfection.
Now, listen to it again. Those of you who are struggling and trying to get to Heaven by your own good works, stop it, for the Bible says, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). The only way that the law could get you to Heaven would be for you, from the time of your birth to the time of your death, never ever one time to ever sin. But, Jesus took the curse of the law.
Friend, according to the law, I deserve Hell; you deserve Hell. But, Jesus, on that cross, became a curse for us. And, when He died, He took that law—God’s righteous law that has every reason to cast us into Hell—and He nailed it to the cross; and, therefore, I’m freed from trying to save myself from my good works, and Satan can never use the law against me. Now, I’m not saying the law is bad, and I’m not saying we ought not to try to live by the Ten Commandments; but never, ever should I endeavor to be saved by the Ten Commandments.
C. The Charms of This World
I’ll tell you a third thing that Jesus nailed to the cross, and I’m going to show you what this has to do with the New Year, in just a moment: The charms of this world were nailed to the cross—the charms of the world are nailed to the cross. Now, in this same chapter, look in verse 8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Now, this world will try to charm you, and this world will try to entice you; and, this world is like a filthy harlot that would draw away your love from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bridegroom.
When we say the world, we’re not talking about Planet Earth, nor are we talking about the people. We’re talking about an ungodly system that’s against our Lord and His Christ. First John chapter 2, verses 15 and 16: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Now, listen carefully. It doesn’t mean that, because we love the world, the love of the Father’s not in us. It means we love the world, because the love of the Father is not in us. If we love the Father as we ought, this world would have no appeal to us. “For all that is in the world,”—listen to this—“the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15–16). Now, what is the lust of the flesh? That’s sensual pleasures. What is the lust of the eyes? That’s selfish possessions. What is the pride of life? That’s sinful pride, selfish pride. All of that is nailed to the cross.
Now, I want to show you how the world is nailed to the cross. Put in your margin, Galatians 6:14—the Apostle Paul said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom…”—listen, listen—“by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Do you know, when Jesus died, He nailed sin to the cross—He nailed the law to the cross? And, the Bible says, clearly and plainly, that the world was crucified, when Jesus died. Why? He died because of the charms of this world and the pull of this world; and, therefore, we—I, you, together—we can glory in the cross. I glory in the cross. “The world is crucified unto me, and I to the world.”
Now, if this world has a pull on you and this world has a charm for you, it’s because you’ve failed to glory in the cross. This world should have no more charm to you than a crucified decaying corpse should have hanging on a cross. When Jesus died, He took a hammer, and He nailed my sin to the cross. He nailed the handwriting of ordinances that was against me to the cross. He nailed the charms of this world to the cross.
D. The Corruption of the Flesh
I’ll tell you what else He nailed to the cross: He nailed the corruption of the flesh— the corruption of the flesh is nailed to the cross. Look, if you will, in verse 11: “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him to the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:11–13).
Now, when the Bible says your flesh, it’s not talking about your body; it’s talking about that old sinful nature that you were born with. That sinful nature was nailed to the cross. Friend, the world has no more charm, and the flesh has no more pull, because I am no longer dominated—neither are you—by the flesh. Before we were saved, we obeyed the flesh. There was nothing we could do. Every New Year’s resolution was but straw. But, Jesus not only died to take away my sin; He died to take away that old self, and that is nailed to the cross.
Put this scripture down—Galatians 5 and verse 24: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24). Now, if your flesh is still out of control, un-crucified, you have every reason to ask yourself, “Have you been twice-born?” “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh.”
That’s what baptism is all about. Look in verse 12: “Buried with him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12). What does that mean? When I gave my heart to Jesus Christ, they took me up there and put me in a pool of water—why? Because, the old Adrian died; he’s put beneath the water; he is buried. That old flesh—that old man—is crucified with Christ. That’s a liquid tomb. That was my funeral. The only mourner there was the devil. He hated to see Adrian die; he was his buddy. But, I don’t have to obey him anymore. Romans 6:6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Aren’t you glad—aren’t you glad—that the corruption of the flesh was nailed to the cross? You see, so many of us—we have such a limited view of the cross.
E. The Control of the Devil
Number five: The control of the devil was nailed to the cross. Look now, in Colossians 2, verses 14 and 15—not only did He blot out the handwriting of ordinances which was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross, but watch this: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). When he talks about principalities and powers, what’s he talking about? He’s talking about the power of Satan. He said, in Ephesians 6, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers” (Ephesians 6:12).
Now, the devil thought he was destroying Jesus on the cross, but Jesus was destroying the devil. Hebrews 2, verse 14: “Forasmuch then as the children”—that’s us—“are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself”—that’s Jesus—“…took part of the same;”—He became flesh and blood. Now, watch this—“that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). When Jesus died on the cross, that devil said, “Ha! He’s finished!” But, Jesus said, “Satan, you’re finished.” “Now is the prince of this world cast out” (John 12:31). “He, through death, destroyed him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).
And, Satan himself is nailed to that cross. His back is broken because of the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus destroyed him on the cross. The word destroyed is a Greek word; it means “to make of none effect.” It doesn’t mean he’s obliterated; it means he’s wiped out; he’s put out of business. You don’t have to obey the devil anymore. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11)— thank God for that!
F. The Conquest of Death
Number six: The conquest of death was nailed to the cross. Jesus’ death was the death of death. Colossians 2:12: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” It was death that was crucified that day, because Jesus was paying the penalty of death. And, again, I want to remind you, that’s what baptism is all about. Listen again to
Hebrews 2, verses 14 and 15: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).
Now, when Jesus nailed Satan to the cross, He also nailed death to the cross. Now, they said, “Jesus is dying. Jesus is there, on the cross. Look at Him—He’s dying.” No, He ever lives! Sin, you’re dead. Law, you’re dead. Old world, you’re crucified. The flesh, you’re crucified. Satan, you’re put out of business. And, death, you’re obliterated by Jesus—by Jesus. That’s what He did on the cross. Isn’t that wonderful? Glory to God! Praise His name!
Conclusion
Now, what does that mean for me in a new year? Friend, I don’t have to be a slave to sin. I don’t have to be condemned by the law. I don’t have to be conformed by this world. I don’t have to be motivated by the flesh. I don’t have to be bullied by the devil, and I don’t have to be intimidated by death, because of Jesus. I can start this New Year so wonderfully.
Now, let me ask you a question: Is there some sin that is haunting you? You’ve already asked God to forgive you, but you still have the ghost of guilt? Is there some law that is condemning you, and you’re saying, “Oh, I’m just not living up to the holy law?” Is there some worldly attraction that’s pulling at you? Is there some fleshly lust that’s working on you? Is there some devilish power that is controlling you? Is there some fear of death that is bothering you?
Now, here’s what we’re going to do: Take out this card. I want you to think of some of these things here, and I want you to look up there. And, maybe there’s sin up there; maybe there is the power of Satan up there, death, or the flesh, or the world. And, you’ve been wrestling with these things, and you say, “Very frankly, Pastor, there are some things I’d like to put in the grave of God’s forgetfulness. Because Jesus nailed these things to the cross, I want to nail them to the cross.” And, what I’d like to do— we’re going to spend some time just thinking. And, by the way, I’m going to do this. I don’t want anybody to think, “Well, you know, if I do this, they’ll think I’m the worst sinner in the world.” Well, you might think your pastor’s the worst sinner in the world, then.
But, I want you to write some things that you’d just like to nail to the cross. I mean, is there something, you say, “I’m finished with that; I’m confessing that sin; I’m putting it under the blood; I’m no longer going to be intimidated by a guilty conscience because of one of the commandments that I’ve failed to keep; I’m not going to let the devil horse me around about this thing anymore; or, I’m not going to give into the flesh”? Now, I’m not talking about willpower; this same chapter talks about that, and says how terrible that is. But, through the power of the cross, I am telling you, my precious friend, when you depend upon what Jesus did upon that cross, you’re going to find incredible power surging through you to live this way.
Now, we’re going to take just a few moments, and I want you to get out a pen. I don’t want you to sign your name to it. It’s none of my business; it’s none of anybody’s business. But, I want you to just write some things down there. If you’re embarrassed to write them down, don’t even write them. Write them in invisible ink—God knows your heart. We’re not trying to get some record here. This is between you and God—that’s the reason why I made this thing—we made it—where you can just fold it.
And, here’s what we’re going to do: Listen, we’re going to write on these some things that we’re done with this year, some things that we’re saying, by God’s grace, are nailed to His cross. And then, we’re going to fold them—nobody’s going to sign them— and you’re going to get up, as you wish, and come down here, and just lay them on the platform; and, we’re going to pick them up, and nail them to the cross, and just say whack! That’s it. Praise God! That’s it. I mean, devil—whack!—that’s it. World— whack!—that’s it. Whatever it is that’s pulling at you, working at you. Not a one of us here, not a one, especially the guy speaking, who doesn’t need a fresh start. Something we’re going to nail to this cross. And, the only reason we can do it is because He’s already done it. All we’re doing is just saying amen.
Now, does everybody have to come forward? Certainly not. You may not want to. Nobody’s going to look at you, and say, “Why didn’t you do it?” But, I believe many of us are going to, and we’re just going to leave this building with these things nailed to the cross; and then, we’re going to have the Lord’s Supper.
All right? So, let’s just take a few moments; and, you, in your own privacy, do as you wish. Jot something down. If you don’t want to jot it down, but just say, “Lord, You know”—you’re afraid your neighbor’s going to look over on your page… “I don’t want him to see what I’m writing down here. I don’t want her to see. I sure don’t want my wife to see”—oh, you’re missing the spirit of this whole thing! Just each person keep your eyes on your own notes, but just write down something; and, I’m going to write down something. You say, “Pastor, I sure would like to know what you’re writing down.” I’m not going to tell you; Jesus knows. But, thank God, it’s nailed to His cross.
This Sermon From Adrian Rogers Legacy Collection
Used By Permission © 2010 www.ARLC.org
