Three Crosses Of Calvary!

THREE CROSSES OF CALVARY!

On that great day when our Lord and Savior gave His life on the cross there were the two others that hung with Him. Though this was a fulfillment of prophesy there is an another message from the 3 crosses and what they represented. The first was the Cross of Salvation, second was the Cross of Rejection and third the Cross of Acceptation.

I The Cross of Salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

A. It was on this cross that the Son of God paid the price for sin. The just for the unjust.

B. He willing took our place on the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. Jesus counted it JOY when faced with the cross as He knew he was paying the price for us.

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 2:14 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;

II. The Cross of Rejection.

Luke 23:39 (KJV) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

A. The one thief rejected Christ and His Salvation.

B. People are doing this today as well.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

C. There are people and groups that hate the Cross where Christ died for us. They are enemies

Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

C. This is why Jesus said to go and preach to all.

1. He did not say all would believe.

Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

D. Jesus said all who would come to Him He would receive.

John 6:37 (KJV) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

III. The Cross of Acceptation.

A. We can not force anyone to receive Christ. We can only try to compel people by preaching the ’Good News.’

Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

B. Each person must make his or her own decision.

John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1. God has no grandchildren.

2. We must all make our own decision to accept or reject Him.

C. If we come to Him He will receive us and remember us.

Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luke 23:43 (KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

D. There are blessings, more than we can count when we receive Him. He is a miracle worker. The greatest being changed from a child of darkness to a child of God.

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

E. There is a cross for each one of us as well when we follow Christ with our whole being.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

1. Taking our cross and following Him makes us a disciple.

F. Taking the Cross of Acceptation will help us to glory and rejoice in what He did on the Cross of Salvation

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.