Sermons on Crossing The Jordan:

The Question Of The Cross

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 4, 2023

Everyone who was there, at the cross, had a question, except the ones who were sure they already had the answers.. . What’s going on? What am I doing here? Who is that man, anyway? What am I going to do?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? They were all people just like us, you know. It might just have well have been we who were there, not them. It would all have happened just the same. Were you one of the ones that hadn’t really been paying attention? Were you one of the curious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-36, Luke 23:27-29, Mark 15:21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Shadows Of Cross Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 6, 2023

There are many shadows of the Cross in the Old Testament. It is appropriate to meditate on this day. May the Lord bless you. I will boast only about the CROSS of JESUS CHRIST (Galatians 6:14).

Good Friday Meditations Theme: Shadows of Cross in Old Testament Text: Leviticus 16:20-22 Good Friday service: It is only a commemorative service and not exactly observation of the exact time of the Crucifixion. If some are more concerned about on the Exact Time of the occurrence, then the whole ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 16:20-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Methodist

At The Foot Of The Cross

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 10, 2023

waiting for the crucifixion of Jesus at the foot of the cross

John 18:1-19:42 This obituary appeared in the Jerusalem Post in the year 33 C.E. “Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, ‘the place of the skull.’ Betrayed by the apostle Judas and crucified by the order of ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

The Message Of The Cross

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 1, 2021

This sermon explores how Christians cannot avoid carrying their crosses.

THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS Text: Mark 8:31 - 38 Mark 8:31-38  Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.  (32)  He said all this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Beauty Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Weeds being transformed into flowers is amazing, but nothing can compare with the wonder of the cross being transformed from a symbol of horror and death to a symbol of beauty and life.

Luther Burbank took an interest in the common field daisy that was an outcast weed despised by the farmers in the East. He crossed it with the Japanese daisy and an English daisy and produced the Shasta daisy, a flower whose beautiful bloom has grown as much as two feet in diameter, and which will ...read more

Scripture: John 12:29-33

The Necessity Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Whoever heard of listing the necessities of life and putting the cross at the top of the list? Yet, that is where it belongs. Without the cross there is no salvation, and without salvation life is worse than meaningless.

Over fifteen hundred years ago, on Good Friday, Ambrose the Bishop of Milan ascended to his pulpit in the Cathedral of Milan and said to his congregation, "I find it impossible to speak to you today. The events of Good Friday are too great for human words." Centuries later the great ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-46

The Foolishness Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Paul wrote about the foolishness of many things, but the most shocking is that he wrote about the foolishness of the cross.

The mayor and other dignitaries were looking into the vast pit dug for the new hospital to be built. The town half-wit came up and gazed into the pit, and asked the mayor what he was going to do with this big hole. The mayor decided to humor him and said, "We are going to round up all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Cruelty Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

If God turned the cruelty of the cross into a universal blessing, we need never doubt that verse of Paul in Rom. 8:28 that says, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Pierre VanPaasen once had an interview with Marshal Lyauty, but the former procounsul of the French Republic in Morocco. VanPassen asked him what he would have done had he been in Pilate's place. Lyauty, after describing what a trouble maker Jesus had been, endorsed Pilate's action. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

The Peace Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Diplomacy has been defined as the art of saying, "nice doggie," until you find a rock. There is truth to this, but it is also true that one may want to say, "nice doggie" until the dog likes you, and becomes, in fact, a nice and friendly dog. That is being a peace maker.

A traveler in the South found himself stranded in a small town on Saturday night. Wondering around, he noticed there were two Baptist churches. He couldn't understand it, so he asked someone why it was that such a small town would have two Baptist churches? The local man said, "They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Christmas And The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

It is possible to look forward to a merry Christmas in full awareness that we live in a world of misery. Just as there is nothing inconsistent with taking medicine to feel better in a world of sickness, so there is nothing inconsistent with a merry spirit in a world of misery.

Dr. Samuel Upham, a theological professor and a man of great learning, was dying. The family was gathered around his bed and someone said I believe he is already dead. Someone else said his feet are still warm and nobody ever dies with warm feet. Dr. Upham opened one eye and said, "Joan of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

The battle cries of our national history have been, “Remember the Alamo,” and “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Why in the world should we remember great defeats? It is because, like the cross, they become great defeats out of which came greater victories.

A couple of bank robbers hit a small country bank one lazy afternoon when the staff was small. They herded everyone into the vault at gunpoint. Then they gagged the teller and bound him hand and foot. They began to stuff the money into bags when they noticed the teller squirming and trying to talk ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Power Of The Cross

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 9, 2021

Why do we preach Christ crucified?

The Power of the Cross Sunday Sermon Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 1 Cor 1:20-24 In Jesus’ day, eastern people looked for a sign of some sort to tell them that God was doing something huge for them. The three magi who traveled from Persia to Bethlehem saw a special star in the eastern sky, and they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:20-24

Denomination: United Methodist

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Offense Of The Cross

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 12, 2021

Why was the cross a stumbling block for people to accept Christ in Paul's time and today?

The Offense (Stumbling Blocks) of the Cross Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Galatians 5:7-12 We have an exciting statement from our brother Paul which can be translated in different ways. In Galatians 5:11, the verse can be translated as "the offense of the cross." I found this to be an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-12

Denomination: United Methodist