The Parts of the Cross Made Just For Me
Col. 1:20-24
Colossians 1:20 - 24 20And, 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. 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
INTRO: Some look at the cross and all they see is wood, nails, splinters, etc. Others see the cross as gold, silver, and jewels. There is more to the cross than that. IT is more than a symbol, more than a crucifix, more than a religious icon. It contains so very much more that can be ours for the searching. We need to look to the cross more that we might be aware of its very nature when it comes to our needs that it meets.
Examples we find around the cross
Self-denial - Mk. 8:34
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Complete commitment
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.
Personal acceptance of duty
Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Personal experience of sacrifice made
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Personal experience of shame He bore
John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
It is not only what we see that happened around the cross some two thousand years ago, but it is also what we see that happens for us and in us, this day.
We see the…
Assistance we have available because of the Cross
Power of God - 1 Cor. 1:18
1 Cor 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.
The cross gives us hope, cheer, strength. It gives us power! Not some voodoo like power, but the power of God in our lives.
Glory - Gal. 6:14
Gal 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.
The cross gives us a focal point to uphold and give praise. We must have had the cross to have what we have this day.
Reconciliation - Eph. 2:16
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
It is because of the cross that we can have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. That is a great advantage to have - His approval because of the cross and what happened there..
Obedience - Phil. 2:8
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
As Christ was obedient even to the cross, we must strive to be obedient to the Lord - can we do any less?
Removal of pronouncement of death - Col. 2:14
Col 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;
What an opportunity we have this day - our sins can be removed from us the curse of death ahs been satisfied with the Lord's obedient sacrifice for us.
Endurance of shame - Heb. 12:2-3
Heb 12:2-3 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.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
We look to Him, knowing the sacrifice He gave, the shame He endured, and we lift Him up and praise Him. We are conscious of His great cost and pain because of the shame placed upon Him for us. You and I!
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 032606pm - first used 052498am