Introduction

Good morning, beloved friends. It's always a joy to gather together in this sacred space, where the Spirit of God moves and breathes among us, where the Word of God is our nourishment, and where the love of God binds us together as a family. Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound truth, a truth that is the cornerstone of our faith, a truth that has the power to transform our lives in the most magnificent ways.

We are here to reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. These events are not just historical facts, but they are the very heartbeat of our faith. They are the melody in our songs, the strength in our prayers, and the hope in our hearts.

As we stand in the shadow of the cross and in the glorious light of the empty tomb, we are reminded of the words of Watchman Nee who once said, "Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."

We are here to affirm these truths, to let them sink into our hearts, to let them shape our lives. We are here to remember the sacrificial salvation through Jesus' death, to ponder on the significance of the resurrection in confirming our inheritance, and to celebrate the securing of eternal life through Christ's resurrection.

Sacrificial Salvation through Jesus' Death

The cross, the emblem of our faith, is more than just a symbol. It's a testament to a love so profound, so boundless, that it willingly bore the weight of our sins. The cross is where justice and mercy met, where the penalty of our transgressions was paid in full, not by us, but by the One who knew no sin.

Jesus, the Son of God, took upon Himself the sins of all humanity. He was blameless, yet He chose to bear our guilt. He was innocent, yet He chose to carry our punishment. He was the embodiment of love, yet He chose to experience our rejection. This is the mystery of the cross, the mystery of a love so great that it willingly paid the ultimate price for our redemption.

In the Gospel of Luke, we read about the final moments of Jesus on the cross. It was a scene of intense suffering and profound sacrifice. The sky was darkened, the earth shook, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. This was not just a physical event, but a spiritual one. The tearing of the curtain signified the breaking down of the barrier between God and humanity. It was a divine declaration that the way to God was now open to all, not by our own merit, but by the merit of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

The centurion, a Roman soldier, witnessed the death of Jesus and declared, "Surely this was a righteous man." This was a powerful testimony to the innocence of Jesus. He was not just a righteous man, but the Righteous One, the only one who could satisfy the demands of God's justice. His death was not a defeat, but a victory, a victory over sin and its consequences.

The death of Jesus was a divine plan. It was foretold by the prophets, fulfilled in Jesus, and witnessed by many. It was a plan born out of God's love for us, a plan to redeem us from our sins, a plan to restore our relationship with Him. This is the message of the cross, the message of God's sacrificial love.

The cross is also a call to us, a call to acknowledge our sins, to accept the gift of God's grace, and to live in the light of His love. It's a call to let go of our pride, to humble ourselves before God, and to trust in His mercy.

Transition. So, as we reflect on the death of Jesus, let us not forget the love that led Him to the cross. Let us not forget the sacrifice He made for us. Let us not forget the hope He gives us. And let us not forget the call He extends to us, a call to live a life of sacrificial love, a life that reflects His love, a life that honors His sacrifice, and a life that anticipates His return.

Significance of the Resurrection in Confirming Inheritance

When we look at the moment when the women arrived at the tomb, we see a scene that is filled with confusion and fear ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO