The Power of the Cross Pastor Dan Hiatt 11/6/16
What did the witnesses see at the cross? Mihaly Munkacsy's "Christ On The Cross 1884
What did the witnesses see at the cross? The Disciples all absent except John The Jewish Leaders and Crowd a false Messiah, a fraud The Soldiers another criminal, another crucifixion The Women Followers death of a friend and savior Mary the Mother of Jesus death of her son and savior Matt 27 Mark 15 Luke 23 John 19
What did the witnesses see at the cross? The Roman Centurion Surely this man was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39 ) The Repentant Thief - 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. (Luke 23:39-43)
God s View of the Cross Our Atonement for Sin 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith. Romans 3:22-25 (NIV) The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life Rom 6:23
Our Redemption Is Only by the Cross of Jesus 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12) 22 without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22b) 26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26b) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; (Hebrews 9:28a) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. AG Doctrine #5 - Salvation
The Power of the Cross 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel not with (human) wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:17-18 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:22-24 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2
Commemorating the Cross in Communion 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Cor 11:23-26 (NIV) Remember Give Thanks - Celebrate!
Self-Examination Before Communion 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 1 Cor 11:23-26 (NIV)
Receive Communion in Confidence 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
Receive Communion Remember Give Thanks Celebrate The Power of the Cross for Our Salvation!