Mar. 29, 2024

1 Corinthians 15:3

This focus of Christ, our sins and finished are our points to ponder today

So to get us started I want to read us John’s account of the cross that we can step into what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 15

John 19:16-30

Jesus says it is finished but so much happens after his death and before his resurrection.

Matthew Continues

Matthew 27:50-54

A recognition came to the Roman officer and soldiers. They recognized Who Jesus truly is

Good Friday is the time for us to do the same. To remember and recognize who Jesus in and how that applies to our life.

Revelation 3:20-22

As we finish up holy week. Remembering the life death of Jesus will you stop this moment and open the door. Jesus is knocking

That day Jesus sad it is finished. It was the beginning of new life for us who believe and new opportunity for those who do not yet believe. That the hope of life eternal is available to us all we have to do is open the door to the knock.

Then we let Jesus bring new life within us because of his death on that cross.

On that cross Jesus was not the only one who died. 

    We died to ourselves

        To our personal identities

        To us commitment to sin

The cross starts a new life in Jesus

John 3:1-21

Letting go of the old life and stepping into the new. We die on the cross with Jesus. Our sins die on the cross with Jesus. 

Matthew 16:24-26

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Our attitudes, habits emotions expectations, addictions dies

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Work & business dies

James 4:13-17

 Luke 14:26-27

Our political party, nationality, denomination must be hung on the cross

Hebrews 12:1-2

Unless we die to ourselves we cannot be fully his followers.

Anything we use to identify ourself must be laid at the cross of Jesus

We cannot be (___________) Christians. Christ alone!

Everything that we are must submit to the cross of Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11

Anything we refuse to submit to Jesus cause us to become lukewarm

Revelation 3:15-19

Leonard Ravenhill - Why Revival Tarries

Though our merciful God will pardon our sins, purge our iniquity, and pity our ignorance, our lukewarm hearts are an abomination in His sight. We must be hot or cold, flaming or freezing, burning out or cast out. Lack of heat and lack of love God hates.

Question becomes is can I even call myself a Christian if I am lukewarm?

Prayer becomes.. Lord revile in me my lukewarm tendencies and help to lay them at you cross. Make me hot or cold for you that i can refreshing or soothing for you.

Is something stirring in your heart right now. Do you see how the cross is just the start? How he defeated everything on the cross and all of yourself must be put there. 

Remember

Ephesians 2:8-10

Nothing we do will ever be good enough. That's what Jesus finished on the cross. That all of what we talked about today gets submitted to his work on the cross and we step into the free gift of salvation in Jesus

1 John 5:1-5

Today Cross up front. As God might have put on your heart something that you have not laid down. Write on a paper and nail it to the cross. Let it be finished TODAY. 

Lets start today with what God is calling us to do. Let go of this old life and fully walk in his grace. Because of His free grift you can find freedom today. New Life every day

Lamentations 3:21-24