Church of the Nazarene

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03/28/21- Road to the Cross Part 4: The Cross- Pastor Adrian Mills

http://bible.com/events/48624659

Road to the Cross Part 4: The Cross

Week 1:

The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken.
Week 2:
On the road to the cross, we see God as a promise keeper, first with His covenant throughout the Old Testament, and then with the arrival of Jesus establishing a new covenant.
Week 3:

In the life of Jesus, we see a God who walks with us no matter where we are and what we are going through. Jesus was the fulfillment of the most important promise you’ve ever been given.

Matthew 27:45-54
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

-Here on the cross, Jesus was forsaken. God the Father turns his back on His own Son, forsaking Him for our sake.
-Jesus gave up his Spirit. He came to lay down His life. No one had to take it from Him. He laid it down willingly.

The profound truth of the cross:
History’s darkest moment became its greatest.

1. Victory over sin

-The law required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). The temple became the place of worship, but most specifically, the place where a sacrifice was made. Blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.
-The Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest was permitted to go, was separated by a curtain.
-In that moment on the cross, the curtain was torn completely in two, signifying that there is a new and living way that is now open for all people to enter into the presence of God.

–“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
 

2. Victory over death

-The moment Jesus is crucified, bodies are resurrected, which is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection.
-Even in Jesus’ death, resurrection is already underway!
-But just as powerful, this moment points to the resurrection that all believers anticipate.

-“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”. 1 Corinthians 15:20
 

3. Victory over doubt

-In this moment, doubt is swallowed up in the rich love and grace of Jesus.
-As Jesus is being crucified, they mock Him. But consider what happens in response to His death on the cross: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54

-Here at the foot of the cross, the doubters believe, the enemies find faith, and the unbelievers draw near.

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