The Cross of Christ
Matt 16: 24 “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”
Consider the cross of Christ- The instrument on which he was killed.
(Discuss his death)
I Peter 2: 19-24
Isiah 53 “dumb as sheep”
His death on the cross was effective.
He died in our place.
He bore our punishment because he loved us.
He lay down his life for us!
His death would have meant nothing if he had not been resurrected.
Matt 28: 6-7 Proclamation-the Power-the presence
Before cross After cross
Lowly-weak-poor-a servant King of Kings-power-glory-honor
Christ obeyed his father in everything, even death.
As he prayed-facing the cross.
Phil 2: 6-11
We are to obey Christ as Christ did his father.
Acts 5: 29 “We ought to obey God rather…”
Heb 5: 7-9
We may obey or disobey.
Matt 7: 21
John 8:24
Heb 10: 38 “Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man…”
We obey. This is to be faithful.
Salvation comes to us through his cross.
I Peter 3: 18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit.”
I John 2: 2 “And he is the propitiation for….”
Sanctified and cleansed.
Heb 13: 12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood.
Suffered without the gate-My God-My God.
Romans 6: 3-6
He suffered on the cross and was a sacrifice for our sins.
Hebrews 10: 12-14
We are called to sacrifice our time, talent, or our treasures.
Gal 2: 20 Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me….”
Matt 16: 24-26 “If any man come after me…”
Romans 12: 1-2
John 15: 17-20
Rev 2: 10
If you paid every bill but one would you be faithful in paying your bills?
If your car started 3 out of 4 time would it be faithful-would you take a journey?
If your paperboy skipped one Sunday each month would you count him faithful and give him full pay.
What about your life-are you carrying your cross for Christ—are you faithful to him?
If you died today, would you be ready?
POEM:
What If?
If you thought you’d die tomorrow
What’s the first thing you would do?
Would you love those you’ve neglected?
And hope they still loved you?
Would you listen to those around you,
Who in the past you did ignore?
Would you cherish each word and
Even ask for more?
Would you sit and read your Bible
And learn what God has in store?
Or would you “just leaf through it”
Like you have so many times before?
Just how would you spend this day,
If you knew it were your last?
I doubt it would be spent,
Like any in the past.
Have you obeyed the Gospel?
