https://www.bible.com/events/49419788

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

Encounter The Cross Part 3 

Victory comes through suffering and sacrifice not strength and striving 

Today we will look at “the road to the cross” as we take a closer look at what we call Palm Sunday or the triumphal entry. 

Jesus surprises us. 

Consider the triumphal entry when they thought they were welcoming a mighty warrior king, but instead they were ushering the suffering savior to death on a cross. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭11‬‬ 

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

As they question, “Who is this?”: 

Adam will tell you, It is the seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent’s head. (Genesis 3:14-15) 

Ask Abraham, he will tell you, It is “Melchizedek King of Salem,” King of Peace. (Genesis 14:18) 

Jacob will tell you, He is Shiloh of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10) 

Isaiah will tell you, “Immanuel,” “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6) 

Jeremiah will tell you, The Branch of David, “the Lord our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6) 

Daniel will tell you, He is the Messiah. (Daniel 9:26) 

Hosea will tell you, He is “the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is His memorial.” (Hosea 12:5) 

John the Baptist will tell you, He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) 

The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne, “This is My beloved Son.” (Matthew 3:17) 

We, His disciples, declare, This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Prince of life, the Redeemer of the world. 

And the prince of the powers of darkness acknowledges Him, saying, “I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1:24) 

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬-‭12‬‬ 

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. 

We don’t expect that sequence of three words to describe a king: 

righteous…victorious…lowly 

The tragedy of this event was the fickleness of the people. At this point they are acclaiming the Lord Jesus as the long expected Messiah – within a few days they were crying for His death! 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭41‬-‭44‬‬ 

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” 

Paul Wallace 

He came in peace to give the people peace. They preferred salvation from taxation to salvation of their souls – and so in a few days they would prefer Barabbas to be freed instead of Jesus. Jesus could see that this was their mindset, and so in the midst of this praise, with people waving the palm branches like a national flag, Jesus wept.” 

WHAT WE THINK WILL SAVE US CAN’T, 

WHAT WE NEVER IMAGINED COULD, WILL. 

· WELCOME

· NEXT WEEK ON SUNDAY 5PM SERVICE

· STEPHEN WILLIS

· HOLY WEEK- PASSION WEEK

· EASTER EGG HUNT-GOOD FRIDAY

BAPTISM:

· WHAT: FOR ANYONE PUBLIC CONFESSION

· WHEN: SUNDAY APRIL 27TH

· WHY: BECAUSE JESUS DID IT

· ALMOST LIKE A MARRIAGE VOW- PUBLIC

LAST WEEK STARTED A NEW SERIES: ENCOUNTER

· OPENED WITH IMAGES/LOGOS/SYMBOLS

· STOOD OVER TIME (NIKE/COCA COLA)

· THEY ARE A PRESENCE MOVING FORWARD

· THE CROSS IS THE IMAGE

· IT CASTS A SHADOW OVER HISTORY

APPLE LOGO

· THIS STARTED IN 1977

· STEVE JOBBS HIRED ROB JANOFF

· WANTED A SIMPLE LOOK

· TOOK A BITE OUT – SO DISTNGUISHABLE

· WANTED RECOGNIZED REGARDLESS OF SIZE

· MASSIVE CROSS IN EFFEINGHAM ILLINOIS

· 198 FEET TALL- 113 FEET ACROSS

· 50 PLUS MILLION YEARLY ON I 57/70

 MAN AND THE CROSS

· BRANSON CROSS- BUILT IN APRIL 2019

· TALLEST IN AMERICA 218 FEET TALL

· BLUE TEAR DROPS- 8 DOWN- 8 WERE SAVED

· 5 ACROSS-3 NAILS WOUNDS, SPEAR WOUND, CROWN

· THE GRACE OF GOD EXTENDED TOWARD ALL

THREE CROSSES AT NIGHT

· ONE OF MY FAVORITE SITES

· ROUTE 81 STRASBURG EXIT

· STOPPED HERE THIURSDAY WAY HOME

· JUST STOOD BENEATH THE MIDDLE CROSS

LAST WEEK WAS THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

THIS WEEK IS THE FORGIVENESS OF THE CROSS

 MARK 27:38-39

38. TWO REBELS WERE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, ONE ON HIS RIGHT AND ONE ON HIS LEFT. THOSE WHO PASSED BY HURLED INSULTS AT HIM, SHAKING THEIR HEADS.

  MARK 27:40-41

40. AND SAYING, “YOU WHO ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND BUILD IT IN THREE DAYS, SAVE YOURSELF! COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS, IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD! “IN THE SAME WAY THE CHIEF PRIESTS, THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW AND THE ELDERS MOCKED HIM.

 MARK 27:42

42. “HE SAVED OTHERS, THEY SAID, “BUT HE CAN’T SAVE HIMSELF! HES KING OF ISRAEL! LET HIM COME DOWN NOW FROM THE CROSS, AND WE WILL BELIEVE IN HIM.

 MARK 27:43

43. HE TRUSTS IN GOD. LET GOD RESCUE HIM NOW IF HE WANTS HIM, FOR HE SAID “I AM THE SON OF GOD. “IN

THE SAME WAY THE REBELS WHO WERE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM ALSO HEAPED INSULTS ON HIM.”

PAINTING 3 CROSSES

· REMEMBRANDT PAINTING

· MANY IN THE PAINTING

· LOOK AT EACH OF THE CRIMINALS

· ONE IS IN THE DARK (DEJECTED) ONE IS IN LIGHT

 LUKE 7:40

40. “JESUS ANSWERED HIM, “SIMON, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.” “TELL ME, TEACHER, HE SAID.

LUKE 7:41-42

41. “TWO PEPLE OWED MONEY TO A CERTAIN MONEYLENDER. ONE OWED HIM FIVE HUNDRED DENARII, AND THE OTHER FIFTY. NEITHER OF THEM HAD THE MONEY TO PAY HIM BACK, SO HE FORGAVE THE DEBTS OF BOTH. NOW WHICH OF THEM WILL LOVE HIM MORE?”

 LUKE 7:43

43. SIMON REPLIED, “I SUPPOSE THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGER DEBT FORGIVEN.” “YOU HAVE JUDGED CORRECTLY,” JESUS SAID.

 LUKE 7:44

44. THEN HE TURNED TOWARD THE WOMAN AND SAID TO SIMON, “DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN? I CAME INTO YOUR HOUSE. YOU DID NOT GIEV ME ANY WATER FOR MY FEET, BUT SHE WET MY FEET WITH HER TEARS AND WIPED THEM WITH HER HAIR.

 LUKE 7:45-46

45. YOU DID NOT GIVE ME A KISS, BUT THIS WOMAN, FROM THE TIME I ENTERED, HAS NOT STOPPED KISSOING MY FEET. YOU DID NOT PUT OIL ON MY HEAD, BUT SHE HAS POURED PERFUME ON MY FEET.

 LUKE 7:47

47. THEREFORE, I TELL YOU, HER MANU SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN- AS HER GREAT LOVE HAS SHOWN. BUT WHOEVER HAS BEEN FORGIVEN LITTLE LOVES LITTLE.”

LUKE 7:48

48. THEN JESUS SAID TO HEAR, “YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.

· STARTING IN 1940

· MAN HAD A PASSION SHARING THE GOSPEL

PICTURE OF MAN CARRYING CROSS

· ARTHUR BLESSIT- CARRIED A 12 FOOT CROSS

· CARRIED CROSS 43,000 MILES- 85 MILLION STEPS

· 324 NATIONS

· 50 YEARS

· ALMOST HALF THE CHURCHES SAID NO

· JANUARY 14TH, 2025 PASSED AWAY

INVITATION IS THE SAME FOR US TODAY-COME AND DIE

LUKE 23:33

33. “WHEN THEY CAME TO THE PLACE CALLED THE SKULL, THEY CRUCIFIED HIM THERE, ALONG WITH THE CRIMINALS-ONE ON HIS RIGHT, THE OTHER ON HIS LEFT.

LUKE 23:34

34. JESUS SAID, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. “AND THEY DIVIDED UP HIS CLOTHES BY CASTING LOTS.

LUKE 23:39-40

39. “ONE OF THE CRIMINALS WHO HUNG THERE HURLED INSULTS AT HIM: “AREN’T YOU THE MESSIAH? SAVE YOURSELF AND US!” BUT THE OTHER CRIMINAL

REBUKED HIM. “DON’T YOU FEAR GOD, “HE SAID, “SINCE YOU ARE UNDER THE SAME SENTENCE?

LUKE 23:41

41. WE ARE PUNISHED JUSTLY, FOR WE ARE GETTING WHAT OUR DEEDS DESERVE. BUT THIS MAN HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.”

DID YOU SEE THE ORDER:

1. MOCKING BY EVERYONE BASICALLY

2. MOCKING INSULTS BY CRIMINALS PLURAL

3. JESUS SPEAKING “FATHER FORGIVE THEM”

4. ONE CRIMINAL STILL INSULTING

5. ANOTHER CRIMINAL NOW DEFENDING

LUKE 23:42-43

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

VERILY- 76 TIMES- TODAY- NOT LATER, NOT GO IN A HOLDING TANK- TODAY.

· HE ACKNOWLEDGES A KINGDOM

· HE SAYS “WHEN”

· WONDER WHO IS HERE TODAY FIGURES THEY WENT TOO FAR?

· APPROXIMATELY 1/3 AMERICANS CRIMINAL RECORD (77 MILLION) YOU GONE TOO FAR?

· YOU HAVEN’T DONE ENOUGH GOOD STUFF?

WHAT WOULD YOU BE SAYING THAT DAY?

· ON WHAT BASIS ARE YOU HERE?

· THE MAN ON THE MIDDLE CROSS SAID I CAN COME

· IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE BASING IT ON?

QUOTE THE MAN ON THE MIDDLE CROSS

· SO INTERESTING WHY MOST CASES 3 CROSSES

· BECAUSE ITS AS IF THE QUESTION IS STILL BEING ASKED- WHAT SIDE ARE YOU ON?

TODAY AN OFFER FOR YOU TO COME

YOU SAY I ALREADY DECIDED- HALLELUJAH PRAISE GOD

SOME OF YOU WOULD SAY I’M STILL OVER THERE

SOME MIGHT SAY I HAVENT WANTED TO GET TOO CLOSE

MIGHT GET SOME BLOOD ON ME

LORD FORGIVE ME- FOR TAKING YOUR FORGIVENESS LIGHTLY

SOME THINK YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR

LAST WEEK WAS THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

THIS WEEK IS THE FORGIVENESS OF THE CROSS

ONE WANTED OUT- TAKE ME DOWN

THE OTHER WANTED IN- TAKE ME UP

IN HEAVEN THERE WILL ONLY BE FORGIVEN PEOPLE- IN HELL THERE WILL ONLY BE FORGIVEN PEOPLE

THE INVITATION IS THE SAME FOR IS- COME AND DIE

WHY DO WE THINK WE ALMOST ALWAYS SEE THREE CROSSES TOGETHER

CALL IS TO COME AND DIE

https://www.bible.com/events/49414974

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Encounter The Cross Part 2

An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life.

Today we are continuing our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”.

We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.

Our series continues today as we seek to encounter the other two crosses beside Jesus.

Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Luke 23

Luke 23:32-33

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

All of the gospel writers are brief when it comes to the details of crucifixion. Everyone already knew what it was, and what this meant.

We don’t know what crimes these other two guys committed. It’s believed they were some sort of political revolutionary, or something like a terrorist or freedom fighter in our world today. These were bad dudes in the eyes of the Roman justice system.

And this is the scene, three crosses on a hill top.

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

In the midst of this gruesome scene, we have the first words of Jesus since being nailed to the cross- Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.

You can imagine with each labored and heavy breath, he keeps pleading these words. “Father forgive them… Father forgive them…they don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus had always taught his disciples to love their enemies, now he is doing it. This is the cross.

Luke 23:35-42

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

From one side of the cross, this criminal uses his dying breaths to taunt and insult Jesus. Seemingly oblivious to his own fate, he throws out a sarcastic plea for salvation.

Then from the other side of the cross comes a completely different reaction to what’s happening.

Confronted with a love he had never seen before, a power greater than the power of pain and death. Something changes. As Jesus suffers and prays for his enemies- this criminal realizes something is different here. This Is not like anything or anyone he has ever seen or heard of before.

Even in his own desperate state, he recognizes this Jesus is different. And he responds…

Where the first criminal seems to be angered by his circumstances, this man seems to have remorse for the life that has lead him here. He knows what he’s done, he deserves what’s happening to him.

After rebuking his partner in crime, he turns to Jesus with a plea for mercy. He asks that he would simply remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

Luke 23:43

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In these final hours, the man who sought mercy in Jesus found the absolute assurance that he would indeed be remembered.

This man didn’t go to a bible study, he didn’t give any money to the church, he didn’t even have a chance to do any good works- yet, he’s with Jesus as we speak. This is the power of the cross. This is the forgiveness that Jesus offers, this is the promise of eternal life.

This is the cross. This is the story of all 3 crosses..

As we encounter these other two crosses, we encounter our story. That’s the importance of remembering these other two crosses. To invite us to reflect and to think about our own response to Jesus.

To ask of ourselves “Which side of the cross am I on?”

The first man prayed, get me down from here, get me out of this mess.

The second man prays “Lord can I go up with you? Can I go where you are?”

Which side of the Cross are you on?

• WELCOME-ALL CAMPUSES/ONLINE
• MENS  BREAKFAST- NEXT SATURDAY- BRIAN C
• EASTER INVITES- PALM SUNDAY STEPHEN WILLIS
• EASTER EGG HUNT- 9 BIKES WE NEED MORE

THERE ARE SYMBOLS THAT ARE ICONIC

SYMBOLS- LOGOS THAT HAVE STOOD OVER TIME

LOGOS THAT ARE A REAL PRESENCE IN NEXT GENERATION

COCA-COLA

• THIS LOGO CAME OUT 1887
• THIS NEXT YEAR 140^TH YEAR OF THEIR PRODUCT
• LARGELY UNCHANGED-RED BACK- WHITE LETTER
• 2013-2014 NAMES ON THE BOTTLES
• 2015 COKE PRODUCTS ALIGN IN DESIGN/LETTERS

 NIKE LOGO

• SWOOSH STRIPE
• CAROLYN DAVIDSON- 1971
• 2$ HOUR- TOOK HER 17.5 HOURS ($35)
• SWOOSH STRIPE AS ITS CALLED
• COMNBINED ENERGY AND CHECK MARK

JORDAN LOGO

• A NIKE PRODUCT-
• THE JUMPMAN- SILHOET OF JORDAN DUNKING
• FEBRUARY 1988
• HE JUST JUMPED UP-PHOTO SHOOT- PIC
• THIS SILHOETTE HAS APPEARED EVERYWHERE
• ON EVERYTHING- CLEATS/GOLF SHOES/SHIRTS
• IT CAST A SHADOW OVER ALL SPORTS
• IT’S A PRESENCE IN THE NEXT FEW GENERATIONS

 CHURCH DENOMINATION LOGO

• BIBLE- GODS WORD
• DOVE – REPRESENTING THE HOLY SPIRIT

 JESUS FISH– ICHTHYS (GREEK WORD FOR FISH)

• STARTED IN 1^ST CENTURY
• MEANT IESOES CHRISTOS THEO YIOS SOTER
• JESUS CHRIST- SON OF GOD IS SAVIOR
• 2 FISH- 5 LOAVES
• WHEN TWO MET- ONE WOULD DRAW PART

THERE ARE POWERFUL SYMBOLS WELL BEYOND THESE

THEY STAND THE TEST OF TIME

THIS SYMBOL STANDS OVER HISTORY

FOR 2000 YEARS IT LOOMS LARGE AND CAST A SHADOW

THE CROSS

THE CROSS WAS USED BEFORE JESUS

MANY OTHERS HUNG AND DIED ON A CROSS

STARTED IN ASSYRIA/BABYLON/PERSIA

USED BY ROMANS 3^RD CENTURY BC TO 4^TH AD

IT WAS MEANT TO PUNISH BUT ALSO HUMILIATION

• WAS MEANT TO BE A PROLONGED SUFFERING

 THREE CROSSES

• BERNARD COFFINDAFFER-BUSINESS MAN
• LORD WOKE HIM UP ONE NIGHT-1982
• SOLD BUSINESS 3 MILLION DOLLARS
• STARTED PLACING THESE ALL OVER WV FIRST
• GOLD CROSS IN THE MIDDLE- 2 LIGHT BLUE
• HEALING OPEN HEART SURGERY DUKE MEDICAL
• SPIRIT LORD TOLD ME TELL PEOPLE

NEXT FEW WEEKS AS WE READY FOR EASTER

ENCOUNTER THE CROSS  THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

   ALL FOUR GOSPEL WRITERS TALK ABOUT THE DEATH

   EACH HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW

HILLSDALE STORY- 4^TH GRADE

NOT DAMGED FOR LIFE BUT I REMEMBER IT WELL

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE MADE FUN OF?

LUKE 23

²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸ Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ ³¹ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

LUKE 23:32

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 

 LUKE 23:33

   ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 

LUKE 23:

  ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ___________________________________________________

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” ³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews

LUKE 23:39-40

   ³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 

LUKE 23:41

  “WE ARE PUNISHED JUSTLY, FOR WE ARE GETTING WHAT OUR DEEDS DESERVE. BUT THIS MAN HAS NOTHING WRONG.”

• THE CROSS BAR WEIGHED BETWEEN 70-90 LBS
• THE ENTIRE CROSS WEIGHED ABOUT 300 LBS
• WASN’T SMOOTH SHAVED WOOD
• 10-15 FEET HIGH- CARRIED A HALF MILE

 VIDEO- THE CHOSE SCENE

• THIS SCENE IS MUCH MORE ACCURATE
• THE ROMANS WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE IT
• TO SMELL IT.   TO HEAR IT
• TO BE AFRAID OF IT- DETERENT FOR BAD BEHAVIOR
• JESUS WALKS UP CLOSE AND IS CONFRONTED

1 PETER 2:22

  22. “HE COMMITTED NO SIN, AND NO DECEIT WAS FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.”

I PETER 2:23

  23. WHEN THEY HURLED THEIR INSULTS AT HIM, HE DID NOT RETALIATE; WHEN HE SUFFERED, HE MADE NO THREATS. INSTEAD, HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY.

 I PETER 2:24

  24. HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS, IN HIS BODY ON THE CROSS. SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: “BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED”

ALISTER BEGG SAID– MOST PEOPLE- EVEN INSIDE THE CHURCH BELIEVE “IF THERE IS A GOOD GOD- IF HE DOES EXIST, HE WILL REWARD NICE PEOPLE IF THEY DO THEIR BEST” IF HES GRADING ON THE CURVE IMNOT AS BAD AS OTHERS-IM BETTER THAN MOST.

PICTURE OF THE TALLEST CROSS

• THERE IS A SHADOW THAT THE CROSS CASTS ACROSS HISTORY.
• THINK OF THE PLACES YOU SEE A CROSS
• LOCATED NEAR MADRID
• 500 FEET BY 150 FEET- CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES
• IT CAST A SHADOW ACROSS THIS VALLEY

3 CROSSES FOR 3 INDIVIDUALS

• THE IMPENITENT (NON REPENTANT THIEF)
• TO JESUS RIGHT AND YOUR LEFT
• He was in the process of dying
• His mind was on himself – “Save yourself and us!”

WE AREN’T HERE TO WORSHIP A CROSS

PSALM 22:1

1. “MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM SAVING ME, SO FAR FROM MY CRIES OF ANGUISH?

PSALM 22:2-3

• MY GOD I CRY OUT BY DAY BUT YOU DO NOT ANSWER, BY NIGHT, BUT I FIND NO REST. 3. YET YOU ARE ENTHRONED AS THE HOLY ONE; YOU ARE THE ONE ISRAEL PRAISES.

 PSALM 22:4-5

    IN YOU OUR ANCESTORS PUT THEIR TRUST; THEY TRUSTED AND YOU DELIVERED THEM. TO YOU THEY CRIED AND WERE SAVED; IN YOU THEY TRUSTED AND WERE NOT PUT TO SHAME.

 PSALM 22: 6-7

   6. BUT I AM A WORM AND NOT A MAN, SCORNED BY EVERYONE, DESPISED BY THE PEOPLE. ALL WHO SEE ME MOCK ME, THEY HURL THEIR INSULTS, SHAKING THEIR HEADS.

PSALM 22:8

   8. HE TRUSTS IN THE LORD, “THEY SAY, LET THE LORD RESCUE HIM. LET HIM DELIVER HIM SINCE HE DELIGHTS IN HIM.”

THEY PUT ON A SCARLET ROBE AND MOCKED HIM

• RIMMA (IN THIS CASE IT MEANS)
• A CRIMSON WORM- THORNY STRUCTURE
• SCARLET WAS USED/CONSIDERED ROYALTY
• BABY TOLA FEEDS ON DEATH OF MOM TO LIVE
• FINDS A TREE- BURRIES ITSELF- GIVES ITS LIFE FOR NEW LIFE ON THAT TREE.

PICTURE TOLA WORM

 PICTURE ROUND RED SPOT ON TREE

• SPLATTERING  BC BIRTH- LAST FOR 3 DAYS
• SAVIOR CRAWLED UP ON A TREE- BLED DIED
• GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

THE CROSS HAS THE FINAL WORD

SORROW MAY COME IN THE DARKEST NIGHT

BUT THE CROSS HAS THE FINAL WORD

THERES NOTHING STRONGER, NOTHING HIGHER

THERES NOTHING GREATER THAN THE NAME OF JESUS

ALL THE HONOR ALL THE POWER

ALL THE GLORY TO THE NAME OF JESUS

https://www.bible.com/events/49412314

Encounter The Cross Part 1

An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life.

Today we are beginning our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”.

We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross.

Our series begins today with the one central story, rather the one person, who transformed the cross from a symbol of suffering and shame, to a symbol of life and hope.

Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Mark 15

Mark 15:22-26

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

Why we can find life and hope in something as gruesome as a cross is because of one man, and that’s Jesus. It was his crucifixion that transformed the cross into a symbol of life and hope.

Verse 24 simply says “And they crucified him.” That was enough for any first century reader.

As familiar as we are with the Golden Arches being beside our roads, so the people of the first century were familiar with what it meant to be crucified. It needed no further explanation. They got it, their stomach turned at the very thought of it.

Jesus’ hands are stretched out and nailed to the cross beam. Heavy metal spikes pounded through the bone and flesh into the wood. His feet are done the same.

Mark 15:27-37

They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

We can get a sense of the public disgrace that came with crucifixion. Victims were normally completely naked, exposed in a very public place. Passers by add insult to the already immense physical injury. Even the two other criminals join in the taunting of Jesus.

There is quite a bit of sad irony in their taunting. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He COULD save himself, but he refused so that he might save them (and us).

And with a loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. It’s finished.

This is the cross.

1 Peter 2:22-25

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The punishment that Jesus endured on the cross, was not his own, it was ours. My Sin and your always has consequences, and it always leads to death.

So on the cross Jesus takes the punishment of our sin, of our failures and mistakes. In this action he makes what the bible calls “atonement” for our sin. That’s a churchy word that means he has born the consequence of our sin, he has made the payment for sin. Jesus took that for all humanity.

The effect of this atonement is that we can be forgiven, our record of sin can be wiped clean, we receive new life, a new spirit, and we are brought into the family of God.

That’s what Jesus has made possible for you and me by grace, through believing in him.

To follow Jesus, to experience the life he offers us, we must deny ourselves. We have to turn from our way of doing things, to living any way we want, following the desires of the world and of our flesh- we have to treat those things as if they were dead. Having no power or authority of us.

It’s a complete turning away from life our way, to life God’s way as it’s shown by his spirit and in his word. God will help you do this, it’s the only way it’s even possible. But make no mistake about it, it is a real and true DEATH to yourself, that you find life in Christ.

The invitation to follow Jesus is an all-in, no holding back, radical call to die to yourself, and embrace him. And when we do, we find a life so free, so amazing, we cant help but have crosses around as a celebration of what God has done for us in the person of Jesus.

This is what it means to encounter the cross!