The View From The Cross

THE VIEW FROM THE CROSS

“And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.” Mark 15:27

Intro: Think about the freedom we have in the United States.

To worship when, where, and how we choose.

Freedom to earn as much money as we can,

free to own a house,

free to buy a car,

free to go to whatever church we choose;

What is real freedom?

I have met a man at the “Castle on the Cumberlands”

Nice place to live?

Anyone know what this really is?

The Kentucky State Penitentiary, also known as the "castle on the Cumberland,"

is a maximum security and supermax prison with capacity for 856 prisoners located in Eddyville, Kentucky

I met a young man in early 20’s who serving 10 years for robbery gas station.

He seem like a good kid.

Born addicted to drugs, because his mother was drug addict.

Newspaper how many people indicted for drugs month?

Knew that the only person that could possibly help him could be God.

I have my freedom tonight.

My freedom is from the prison of sin and hell.

Which by the way is what I deserve. Jesus has set me free!

Although I have been set free through Jesus,

there are many who have not yet been set free, and there time is running out.

Why we must be working for the Lord!!!

“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out.

Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11

View From the Cross

Simon Of Cyrene

Can you imagine how Simon felt?

Think about it.

Simon had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast.

He had traveled all the way from Cyrene, which was in North Africa.

Simon was coming from his lodgings outside the city

had no idea that this strange event was about to take place.

As he was watching Jesus stagger under the weight of the cross,

Suddenly Simon was grabbed by the soldiers and forced to carry the cross.

How would you have felt?

Trip interrupted.

Worship service disrupted.

There to Celebrate Passover Worship experience destroyed.

Frustrated?

Displeased?

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength;

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

I will sing aloud…

Steadfast love

Fortress--- stronghold… RATHER HAVE A PLACE WITH WALLS--- CHURCH???

Refuge—sanctuary--- place of safety safe haven

How did Simon feel?

Undoubtedly his attitude was one of unwilling involvement.

View from the Cross Today

People today see Jesus as disruption in schedule?

God would dare change their plans.

We don’t want things to happen to us by surprise

that don’t fit into our routine.

We resent it when circumstances are out of our control suddenly changes our plans,

especially if it involves pain and suffering.

View from the Roman Soldiers

Gathered around the foot of the cross were the soldiers who had crucified Jesus.

These rough Roman soldiers had crucified many people.

They undoubtedly had much experience in crucifixion,

because when they had finished their work and Jesus was hanging from the cross,

these soldiers got out a pair of dice and started a crap game at the foot of the cross.

It may seem strange to us that while Jesus is dying on the cross… Some people would be more interested in making a buck than they were in the blood of Jesus.

But is it any different Today?

Freedom?

How chained are we to the dollar?

How focused are we on making a fast buck.

What would we do in the church if money was no problem???

Missions???

What vision???

What dream???

These Roman soldiers stand as examples of those who are callous.

They stand by and watch people suffer

They have no compassion.

Have no care.

No love.

Two Thieves.

Here are two men who were thieves.

Why do people steal?

Thrill?

Nothing better to do?

Idle hands are the devils workshop

Something people enjoy doing??? Church????

They are prisoners… who have not yet be set free because they don’t know Jesus?

Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

These two men looked alike.

Looking at them on the cross you couldn’t tell them apart.

Only difference was one theif changed his heart.

The other did not.

Today People who want change heart.

There are still many today who question the power of Christ.

Why do I need to go to church?

There should be a difference between the way a Christian looks and a thief looks!!!

The world better be able to tell us apart.