Christ Crucified lesson 7 Foolishness

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 7

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

What a word.  Jesus Christ crucified is the message every church should be preaching.  Oh, that we would have a singleness of mind to preach Jesus Christ crucified.  The finished work of Christ is the centerpiece of the gospel of Jesus Christ. No cross, no salvation; know the cross; know salvation.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified.  As we shall see; leaving the strength of the cross is foolishness.  Leaving the central truth of Jesus Christ crucified as the exclusive source of our salvation is witchcraft indeed.   There is a bewitching factor from the enemy of our soul; false doctrine is trying to move the church away from complete trust and reliance upon Jesus and move it to the believer’s own performance.

Galatians 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

So, what is the answer?  Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Only by the hearing of faith, and never by the works of the law.

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

Paul is using such strong language “foolish” and “bewitched”!  If it begins by faith in the crucified Christ are you now made perfect by the flesh?  Has this journey of faith been in vain?  He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Some have not seen the demonstration of the Spirits power because they have moved the object of their faith from Jesus Christ and Him crucified to their own noble performances.

Galatians 3:6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

The just shall live by faith and exclusively by faith in the crucified One Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to be counted as righteous and right before a Holy God.

Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The blessed ones are those who have joined with Abraham and put your faith in the righteous seed of Jesus Christ Himself; this is the only source for the nations to be blessed.  It is Jesus!

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

If it is of the flesh or the works of the law, or some man’s tradition it leaves that one under the curse.  The just shall live by faith, it starts by faith, continues by faith and will finish by faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  It cannot be and never will be in good works.

Galatians 3:12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The law always makes the demand on the worshipper; “The man who does them shall live by them”.   Christ has redeemed us from this curse by becoming the curse for us.  We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith and there is no other way to receive.

Galatians 4: 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Jesus Christ came to redeem us from being under the law; Christ crucified is the exclusive way.  His desire is for us to receive the adoption as sons.  Now the privilege is to those who have faith in Jesus Christ, as a son you can cry out “Abba Father!”

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

No confidence in the  flesh is the mantra for every mature and healthy Christian. 

Philippians 3:4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Paul said if anyone had reason to have confidence in the flesh it might be himself, but….

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Anything he might count to have confidence in the flesh he counted it loss; in fact, all confidence in the flesh he counted as rubbish.  One thing to pursue and know; the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.  That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having our own righteousness, which is our own good performance, but that which is through faith in Christ alone!  It is the righteousness which is from God by faith in the crucified Christ.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

In Jesus' name press on, lay hold of that for which Jesus Christ has already laid hold of you.  Identifying with the death burial and resurrection of Christ is the only way and there is no other way to victory.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Keep reaching for the prize of sweet relationship with Jesus.

Philemon 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

The most effective testimony is not declaring what you have done for God!  The sharing of your faith will become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Declare the verse because it is life giving and delivers the believer to victory

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 6 LIKEWISE

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 6

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The singleness of mind we are called to; Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The greatest event in all of human history is the finished work of the cross.  Never has there been a truth to bring such great peace; never has there been a truth to bring such great agitation. Those who are being saved great peace; those rejecting the truth great frustration.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"

There is the truth that set one free; however, one must know that truth intimately.  It is the truth you know that has the power to set you free.  It not generic truths or facts; there is a specific truth for the disciples of Jesus.  When the disciple come to that specific truth there is freedom from every bondage of sin.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore, if the Son Jesus Christ makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Oh, the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

The Father speaks in these last days by His Son!  So many are still holding to hearing from God by the many various ways and the prophets; however, there is this new and living way; we must hear the Son.  When Jesus Christ by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Jesus died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God!

Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Likewise, …  consider how Jesus did it; you likewise reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin.  So many have a confession of faith and still do not see themselves dead indeed to sin.  And worse yet, too many believers do not see themselves alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We are commanded to present ourselves to God as alive from the dead.  Come and present your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  This is a truth that needs your meditation.  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  Absolutely not!  As Paul wrote at the beginning of the chapter, God forbid!  Everyone is either a slave of righteousness or a slave a sin.  What are you?  Let the word in front of us answer the question.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Before you obeyed the gospel, you were slaves of sin!  Faith in Jesus set you free from sin and made you a slave of righteousness.  As people of faith we now present our members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When one is a slave to sin, a righteous act does not and cannot make them righteous.  They have complete freedom from righteousness because the sin nature rules in their un-regenerated heart.  But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness.  Yes, holiness is not the root, it is part of the fruit of righteousness.  The man with the new nature has everlasting life.  Slaves of sin get the wages of sin; slaves of righteousness get the gift of God of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Jesus with His own blood has obtained eternal redemption!

Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

By the blood is the only path to a purged conscience and there is not another path.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 5 The Crucified One Once and for All!

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 5

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

God calls His church to a singleness of mind.  Putting Jesus Christ and Him crucified to the forefront will change the way we live and bring the destiny of God to fruition.

Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

The law being a shadow of good things to come could not make the worshipper perfect; and yet it implied there would be a sacrifice so great the worshipers could be so cleansed they would be given a perfected spirit.   There would be a complete loss of sin consciousness because of the greatness of the sacrifice.  God’s desire and will are unveiled at considering Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come--In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God.' "

Under the law the sacrifices were a reminder of sins every year; animal sacrifices could not take away the sins.  However, a body was prepared for Jesus.  The sacrifice would be so great that sin would be separated from the worshipers as far as the east as from the west.  Jesus declared to the Father, “Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.”

Hebrews 10: 8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

The Father did not have pleasure in the old testament sacrifices; they only pointed to a greater sacrifice that the Father did have pleasure in.  Jesus fulfilled the old so that the second better covenant might be established.  This indeed was and is the heart and will of the Father being fulfilled.

Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

Don’t miss it, by the Father’s will and desire we have been sanctified.  Sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ; all to the power of the cross.  Sanctified by the crucified One once and for all!  The cross of Jesus could do what no other priesthood or sacrifice could do.  Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus sat down indicating the work was indeed a finished work lasting eternally.  Turn your eyes on the crucified One!

Hebrews 10:13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Religious teachings try hard to cover over the truth of this passage; yet the word of God must be allowed to stand if we want to experience the victory God intended for us to live in.  Jesus by the one offering, has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.  It is a finished work reconciled back to God Spirit to spirit perfected forever.  Not my words but the living word of God.  This covenant is not made up of a list of do’s and don’ts it strength is God changing the heart.  It moved from being following the rules to living in a sweet relationship with the Almighty God.

Hebrews 10:18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Because this is an eternal work there will never be another need of an additional offering for sin.  It is the eternal work of the cross, plus nothing.  Some try and enter relationship with God by the old covenant law or other traditions of men.  However, we have been instructed to come to this new and living way.  Because of the blood of Jesus, we can come boldly into the Holiest.  Christ crucified is the exclusive truth which brings us access and there is not a different point of access.

Hebrews 10:21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Coming with a full assurance of faith is God’s design.  Hold fast to the confession of your faith; it is the most precious thing we possess.  Let our hearts be purified by washing of the water of the word; you can count on the faithfulness of God.

Romans 5:15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

The free gift results in justification; just as if we have never sinned.  It abounds because of Calvary.

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus.  One Man’s righteous act is still resulting in justification of life.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One man’s disobedience many were made sinners; by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.  The last Adam has grace abounding much more then sin; the crucified One’s sacrifice allows  grace to reign through righteousness to eternal life.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Paul was accused of saying “why don’t we go on sinning so grace can abound?”.  He answered the lie quickly.  Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  God forbid.  We died to sin!  Those who are immersed in the truth of Jesus Christ crucified are baptized into His death.  It is what water baptism represents, identifying with Jesus Christ death burial and resurrection.

Romans 6: 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

At faith in Jesus we died to the sin nature, we were born with, and we become alive to the new nature Christ has put in us.  No longer slaves to sin but alive with the resurrection power.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 4 Isaiah 53

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 4

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the paramount truth.  Abundant life can be walked in at the revelation of the work of the cross and what it accomplished in the believer.  Behold the Lamb of God; it the source of soundness and wholeness.

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Isaiah 53 is one of the greatest prophetic chapters in regards to Jesus going to the cross.  Who will believe our report?  It is a question that still needs to be proposed.  Who will believe the great message about to be unveiled about the power of the cross?  In a little Bruce theology, I believe verses 2 and 3 are specific to what Jesus would look like on the cross.  It was a dreadful sight to behold; the Jewish nation indeed fulfilled the prophecy they hid their faces from Him.  Indeed, He was despised and not esteemed.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Grab hold of the revelation!  Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows!  You do not have to bear it any more, Jesus has done that for you.  Jesus was wounded for your sin; the sin we committed and the sin committed against us he died for.  The pain incurred and the pain inflicted was faced by Jesus Himself.  The punishment for our peace was upon Him.  Jesus bore the punishment so we don’t have to.  Grace unveiled say by His stripes we are healed.  Jesus did a finished work at the cross.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

No one is immune from the dregs of sins.  We all have gone astray.  The Father laid upon Jesus the iniquity of us all.  No one was left out from the payment for all sin, that Jesus paid.  Jesus was oppressed and afflicted.  He went willingly, lovingly, humbly submitting to the death of the cross.

Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked--But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Jesus faced imprisonment and faced the judgment of both the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government.  He was on the cross between two robbers and was buried in the grave of a rich man.  Every prophetic word spoken of Jesus came to pass.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

The Father was pleased to bruise Him; He put Him to grief.  There was purpose in the heart of the Father; He gave His best the only begotten Son in order to gain you!  The pleasure of the Father shall prosper in the hand of Jesus Christ.  The Father saw the labor of Jesus’ soul and was satisfied!  Jesus fulfilled the holy standard of justice; the perfect innocence Lamb of God bore the sin, shame guilt and condemnation of the world.  The Righteous Servant shall justify many, for he bore their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus received the portion of the great and willingly desires to share that portion with those who put their faith in Him.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Righteousness is exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ.  The power of the cross made it possible.  Righteousness is being right with God; a oneness between God and the believer.

Romans 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Righteousness being given by the divine influence and the goodness of God.  It is the redemption that is found exclusively in Christ Jesus.  Justified is being made just is if we have never sinned.  The Father makes a demonstration of His goodness.  The Father is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  If it is of works then it cannot any longer be counted as grace.

Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."

We are the blessed ones whose lawless deeds are forgiven.  We are the blessed ones to whom the Father shall not impute sin.  What a great promise!

2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Righteousness and justification brought us to the place of becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus.  Jesus did it at the cross!

2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

The Father was reconciling us to Himself through Jesus Christ; not imputing our sin.  He has committed us to this word of reconciliation through the power of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

2Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He took our sin so we could have His righteousness.  What a deal; be reconciled to God by the power of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

We preach Christ crucified… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Rise up church and make your boast on the cross…

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I have been crucified with Christ… the one who loved me and give Himself for me!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 3 Calvary

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 3 Calvary

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The greatest truth you could know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Not that you have knowledge of Jesus and the cross, but you know by intimacy Christ crucified. 

John 1:29 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

The forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, saw Jesus coming down the road and declared the greatest truth for mankind’s freedom.  “Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Let’s be obedient to the command and behold the Lamb as He went to the cross

Mark 15:1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, "It is as you say." 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!" 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

In our last lesson, we left Jesus under arrest in the Garden.  They have had an illegitimate trial by night with a free for all trying to find a basis for a trial.  One would rise up and say one thing and then another and no agreement could be found.  Then the high priest asked Him are you the Christ.  Jesus confessed “I am”.  With this confession, they bring Jesus before Pilate on this morning.  Pilate asked the question the Jews had used as accusation against Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?  Jesus declared it freely “It is as you say.  So glad, Jesus is truly the Son of God and the King of the Jews!  In fact Jesus is the King of the gentiles too, Jesus is the King of the nations, indeed He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords and for this He was sent to the cross.

Mark 15: 6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

As Jesus was on the way to the cross there were many Old Testament passages being fulfilled.  One shadow and type was on atonement day there would be an innocent slain goat and one guilty scapegoat.  For hundreds of years this was practiced and was pointing to this event where the guilty was set free and the innocence one would be slain.

Mark 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" 13 So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.  

Pilate set free the murderer Barabbas.  In studying the crucifixion in all four gospels, you see Pilate believed Jesus was innocence of the charges.  In fact, in Matthew it tells us he washed his hands of putting Jesus to death because he found no fault in Him.  However, the Jewish ruling council had other ideas and stirred the crowd to shout and chant crucify Him, crucify Him.  Pilate fear of man was greater than his respect for Jesus.  He had Jesus beaten and then sentenced to be crucified.    Isaiah 52:14 said that His visage was marred more than any man.  Saint of God behold your Lamb.

Mark 15:16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

Now the soldiers took another turn at His torture.  Purple was the color of royalty, and the mocking began. They twisted a crown of thorns and struck him with rods, pushing in the thorns into the Savior head.  Mocking, jeering, spitting, and making sport of the suffering of Jesus.  Then on to the cross; behold the Lamb!

Mark 15:21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.

They nailed Him to the tree and they gambled for his garments.  Jesus was nailed to the cross at 9am; behold the Lamb.

Mark 15:26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 "save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.

The blasphemy began as the Jews begin to taunt Jesus.  The messages they had heard were taken out of context and used against Him.  If you are the Savior save Yourself, and come down from the cross.  Yes, saint of God, behold your Lamb.

Mark 15:32 "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. 33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

"Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." The words are ironic because a few days later they were trying to cover up the fact that the Savior had risen.  Within a couple of verses we find Jesus hanging on the cross for 6 miserable hours.  From noon until 3pm darkness had cover the earth.  This indeed was the power of darkness finest hour.  The torture and the mocking and shame was about to come to fulfilled destiny.  The sin itself, the shame, guilt, the condemnation, the punishment, and wrath poured out upon the Savior.  Jesus cries out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

Mark 15:35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!" 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down." 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

Jesus cried out again with a loud voice.  We know from John’s gospel Jesus declared “it is finished.” Jesus breathed his last breath.  The Father had been looking forward to time in human history where the Lamb was slain to repair the breach of sin upon mankind.  Heaven had an immediate response to the death of the Lamb of God.  The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The veil had separated sinful man from a holy God for four thousand years of history.  Jesus' obedience brought man access to a holy God; the Spirit to spirit connection could be repaired for the first time.

The centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God.  The cross turned two hearts to Jesus that day.  One of the thieves hanging on a cross and now this unnamed soldier.  The cross is still the only power to turn men from sin to God and there is no other way.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Put it in your mouth and declare the word of truth.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

May this be the saints of God song.  Behold the Lamb it not just a moment in time but a lifestyle which allow the believer to walk in victory every day!

 Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!