At The Cross
Colossian 2:11-15
Aren’t you glad for the cross of Jesus? We would be nothing without Jesus and His sacrifice at Calvary! Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life …no man comes to the Father except through Him” - This salvation that I speak of cost a great price and Jesus paid that price AT THE CROSS. (While we are at it let me say that that debt was my debt and it is PAID IN FULL!!! Though times have changed… though the blood is often ignored …and the cross is at times watered down or avoided…. IT IS STILL THE CROSS!
"It’s Still The Cross"
"It’s Still The Blood Of Calvary"
"That Cleanses Sin"
"And Sets the Captive Free"
"It’s Still The Name, The Name Of Jesus"
"That Has Power To Save The Lost"
"IT’S STILL THE CROSS"
(Composers: Niles Borop, Luke Garret, Mike Harland, Buddy Mullins)
It is that cross that I would like to consider today. Join me as we preach on the subject “At The Cross”
There was a custom in Rome, when a man was condemned for a crime, if he were put in prison, they would nail a certificate of debt to the prison door.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.” - (Adrian Rogers: Nailed to the cross)
If a man was guilty of a capital offense and condemned to die, they would write that offense on a placard and nail it to his cross above his head. Remember that Pilate did this to Jesus. Above His head, nailed to His cross was a sign that stated “Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews”
Roman crucifixions were done in public. The authorities wanted people to see a man die in agony. On that cross, would be the crime that was committed. The goal was for every citizen who walked by to say, “I’ll never do that! - In our text we find that there was something else “Nailed to the cross of Jesus” - v14 speaks of “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us”
We know that Jesus was sinless - 2 Corinthians 5:21 “Him who knew no sin, God had made to be sin for us” - Christ became sin for us and from God’s point of view, our sin was “nailed on the cross.”
If we had been on that cross God could have nailed many different sins over our head! What would yours say?
Liar?
Cheater?
Thief?
Adulterer?
Blasphemer?
Murderer?
God could have simply nailed a copy of the 10 commandments over our head! We are as guilty of the death of Christ as if we had driven the spikes into His wrists personally! Yes, He willingly died …but He died for and because of you and me! What a blessing to think that Jesus knew me, yet He loved me! He knew how wretched and sinful we would be, but He went to the cross anyhow! - Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
When we think of all that Christ has done for us & consider those things that are yet to come we must remember the cost! We must REMEMBER THE CROSS! In verses 11 & 12 we see that:
I. At The Cross Our Lives Were Transformed v11-12
A. The Process Of This Transformation - v11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Paul says that when you came to Christ, you were “circumcised”. This circumcision was not a physical procedure but a spiritual one. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision by cutting away your sinful nature. Notice that Christ is the One who performed this procedure!
Today, too many people are trying to clean themselves up! This is not possible but some amazing things take place when Jesus cleans you up. Notice:
B. The Result Of This Transformation - v12 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.
Consider a similar verse found in - Romans 6:4 therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. - God Has raised us from the dead! Just as Jesus walked to Lazarus’ grave and cried Lazarus come forth …Jesus has called us out of the grave! Before Christ, (spiritually speaking) we were dead! In Baptism we were buried and then “raised to walk in newness of life”
The result of this transformation is this “we have gone from death unto life” - The question is have you experienced this new life? I am not asking if you have come to an altar and had a emotional experience… Have you ever had a conversion experience? If you have you can trace it back to the cross! This leads us to the next thing I would like to examine about the cross:
II. At The Cross Our Souls Were Saved - v13 ¶And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Because of sin we were dead. Before Christ our sinful nature had not been removed. But God has “quickened us together with Him” - Literally raised you up… MADE YOU ALIVE! Simply put HE SAVED US! But what does that really mean? When you were lost you were headed for hell and through His mercy, grace & love, Jesus rescued you!
What are the results of being “saved?”
Your sin is forgiven - Isaiah 38:17
You become a child of God almighty - 1 John 3:1-2
You are delivered from the Power, Penalty and eventually in Heaven the presence of sin.
You become a joint heir with Christ
You are promised eternal life
You are provided a home in Heaven
You have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
We were saved and changed at the cross and as we move deeper into the text we will see that:
III. At The Cross Our Debt Was Paid - v13b having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; Notice a couple of blessings about this debt that was paid:
A. Consider The source of this payment - “God”
How amazing, God paid the ransom to save lost sinners! Just like we can’t wash ourselves clean …We couldn’t pay the sin debt! …but JESUS DID!
B. Consider The scope of this payment - “He forgave all our sins” - All of our sins were nailed to the cross. This wasn’t a partial payment! IT WAS PAID IN FULL!!!!
“Jesus paid it all”
“All to Him I owe”
“Sin had left a crimson stain”
“He washed it white as snow”
Jesus paid our debt, endured our punishment... He nailed it to the cross! My sin was buried when Jesus was buried and my sin debt is PAID IN FULL! - Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (notice also) 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”
No one can rightfully accuse us! No one can condemn us! The only one who could ever condemn us is God Himself & He has counted us righteous! When periods of doubt enter your mind …Remember, you are justified by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. - You possess a certificate of debt;And, on that certificate of debt is written, in the crimson blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, “Paid in full”
AT THE CROSS, OUR LIVES WERE TRANSFORMED, OUR SOULS WERE SAVED, OUR DEBT WAS PAID, and finally we will see:
IV. At The Cross Our Enemy Was Defeated - v15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
When Paul speaks of principalities and powers, what’s he talking about? - He’s talking about the power of Satan. He said, in - Ephesians 6:12 “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers”
Satan attempted to destroy Christ at the cross but his plan backfired - Hebrews 2:14 ¶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;
Jesus destroyed Satan at 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. On Friday about sundown, when they took Jesus down from the cross, it appeared that Satan had won the battle. But on Sunday morning, Christ walked out of the grave, alive from the dead. God had raised Him just as he had promised Redemption was accomplished….Satan was defeated! - I John 3:8 …For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Obviously Satan still exists and we have do endure his presence, but not his power. God allows Satan to do certain things but ultimately it is in order to accomplish His own divine will. Rest assured that Christ defeated Satan and because of this WE HAVE THE VICTORY!
Remember Satan’s ultimate defeat - Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
This defeat can be traced back to the cross! If you are saved then you can rest assured that:At the cross our lives were transformed ...At the cross our souls were saved ...At the cross out debt was paid ...At the cross our enemy was defeated
If you are saved you can proclaim these things! If that is the case, nothing this world throws your way really matters (it is all temporary) If you can proclaim these things in is not because of who you are or what you have done! If you can proclaim that you life is transformed, your sin is forgiven, your soul is saved and that you have eternal life… IT IS BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS DID AT THE CROSS! That my friend deserves your worship!
But maybe you are here and you cannot proclaim these things. Maybe you are here and you should is not saved, you sins aren’t forgiven and you have not been transformed… YOU CAN BE! You can be because of what happened …AT THE CROSS!
