Embracing the Cross: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we celebrated Palm Sunday, a day that marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We began our service with the joyous baptisms of three men who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ and chose to publicly declare their commitment through baptism. This act of obedience and public declaration of faith is a powerful testament to the transformative work of Christ in the lives of believers.

As we delved into the Word of God, we focused on the theme of "cross talk," examining the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. These sayings are not just historical statements; they are profound truths that have the power to change lives and shape our narrative as followers of Christ. Each saying from the cross provides us with a talking point that can guide our faith and our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice.

We reflected on the narrative of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds initially greeted Him with shouts of "Hosanna," only to call for His crucifixion days later. This shift in the crowd's attitude serves as a reminder of the fickle nature of human allegiance and the importance of steadfast faith.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of recognizing when God is moving in our lives, just as the people of Jerusalem failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. We were encouraged to be aware of God's presence and to respond to His call with open hearts.

As we approach Easter, we were reminded of the significance of the cross and the resurrection, which offer forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God's family. The cross is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice and the victory over sin and death.

Key Takeaways:

- Forgiveness is the starting point of every relationship with Jesus. It is a gift that we receive and are called to extend to others, even when we don't fully understand our own actions or the actions of those around us. The cross reveals our need for forgiveness and the purpose of Jesus' sacrifice. [49:33]

- The assurance of eternal life is a promise secured by Jesus' work on the cross. The conversation between Jesus and the repentant thief reminds us that our eternity is determined by our response to Christ. The cross is a pivotal decision point that invites us to choose life with Jesus. [49:33]

- The cross establishes us as part of God's family. When Jesus entrusted His mother to John, He demonstrated that our faith in Him makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. This spiritual family is where we find support, love, and a sense of belonging. [49:33]

- Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") assures us that we will never be forsaken because He was forsaken for us. This profound truth reminds us that in our darkest moments, we are never alone; God is with us. [49:33]

- Trusting God with our lives is the ultimate act of faith. Jesus' final words, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit," teach us to place our trust in God, not only at the moment of death but in every breath we take. Our lives are secure in the hands of a loving and faithful God. [49:33]

As we move forward from today's service, let us carry these truths in our hearts and live them out in our daily lives, knowing that the narrative of the cross is our story too.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 23:34 - "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
2. Luke 23:43 - "Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"
3. John 19:26-27 - "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were Jesus' first words on the cross according to Luke 23:34, and what do they reveal about His character? [01:17:18]
2. In Luke 23:43, what promise does Jesus give to the repentant thief, and what does this indicate about the nature of salvation? [01:21:01]
3. How does Jesus' interaction with His mother and John in John 19:26-27 demonstrate His concern for relationships and community? [01:24:01]
4. Reflecting on the sermon, what was the significance of the crowd's shift from shouting "Hosanna" to calling for Jesus' crucifixion? [01:09:04]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is forgiveness such a central theme in Jesus' teachings, especially as seen in His words from the cross in Luke 23:34? How does this shape our understanding of Christian forgiveness? [01:17:18]
2. What does Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 teach us about the immediacy and assurance of salvation? How does this affect our view of grace? [01:21:01]
3. How does Jesus' act of entrusting His mother to John in John 19:26-27 redefine the concept of family within the Christian community? What implications does this have for how we view our church relationships? [01:24:01]
4. Considering the sermon, how does the crowd's change in attitude towards Jesus reflect the fickle nature of human allegiance? What lessons can we draw about steadfast faith? [01:09:04]

#### Application Questions
1. Jesus' first words on the cross were about forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, or do you need to seek forgiveness from someone? How can you take a step towards that this week? [01:17:18]
2. Reflect on the promise of eternal life given to the thief on the cross. How does this assurance of salvation impact your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you need to trust more in God's grace? [01:21:01]
3. Jesus created a new family bond between His mother and John. How can you strengthen your relationships within the church community? Is there someone you can reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement? [01:24:01]
4. The crowd's shift from "Hosanna" to "crucify Him" serves as a warning about the instability of human loyalty. How can you cultivate a more steadfast faith in your own life? What practices can help you remain faithful even when it's challenging? [01:09:04]
5. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross assures us that we will never be forsaken. In what areas of your life do you feel alone or abandoned? How can you remind yourself of God's constant presence and support? [01:28:26]
6. Jesus' final words were an act of trust in God. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God fully? What steps can you take to surrender those areas to Him? [01:34:09]
7. As we approach Easter, how can you keep the significance of the cross and resurrection at the forefront of your mind? What specific actions can you take to live out these truths in your daily life? [01:35:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Forgiveness as Our Foundation
Forgiveness is not merely an act we perform; it is the cornerstone of our relationship with Jesus. It is the first step on a journey of faith, where we acknowledge our own need for grace and the grace extended to us through the cross. This gift of forgiveness is not something we earn; it is freely given, and it demands that we also become vessels of forgiveness towards others. It is in understanding our own forgiven state that we can begin to comprehend the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for us. This realization calls us to live differently, to view every interaction through the lens of grace, and to offer forgiveness even when it is difficult, remembering that we too have been forgiven much.

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you have struggled to forgive, and how can you take a step towards forgiving them today, reflecting the forgiveness you've received through Christ? [07:40]

Day 2: Securing Eternity Through the Cross
The assurance of eternal life is not a concept to be taken lightly; it is a profound promise that was sealed through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. The interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief reveals a powerful truth: it is never too late to turn to Christ, and our eternity is indeed determined by our response to Him. The cross stands as a pivotal decision point in our lives, inviting us to choose a life that is rooted in the eternal, rather than the transient. It is a call to look beyond our present circumstances and to anchor our hope in the promise of eternal life with Jesus.

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43 ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life influence the decisions you make in your daily life, and what is one decision you can make today that reflects an eternal perspective? [07:40]

Day 3: Finding Family at the Foot of the Cross
At the cross, we see a picture of a new family being formed—one that transcends biological ties and is bound together by faith in Jesus. When Jesus entrusted His mother to John, He was not merely making provision for her care; He was illustrating the reality of the spiritual family that is created through belief in Him. This family is where believers find support, love, and a sense of belonging. It is a community that is marked by mutual care and the shared experience of God's grace, a place where we can grow together in faith and encourage one another in our walk with Christ.

"Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:27 ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of family within your faith community, and what is one practical step you can take this week to strengthen your connection with your spiritual brothers and sisters? [07:40]

Day 4: Never Forsaken Because of the Cross
The cry of Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" echoes through history as a profound declaration of His identification with our suffering. In that moment, Jesus experienced the ultimate separation from the Father so that we would never have to. This truth assures us that in our darkest moments, when we feel most alone, we are never truly forsaken. God's presence is a constant in our lives, and because Jesus was forsaken for us, we can be confident that we will never be abandoned by God.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt forsaken and how did you experience God's presence in that moment? What can you do to remind yourself of God's unfailing presence in your current circumstances? [07:40]

Day 5: Trusting God with Our Entire Being
Jesus' final words on the cross, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit," serve as the ultimate example of trust in God. This trust is not limited to the moment of death but is a posture we are invited to adopt in every aspect of our lives. To entrust our spirit to God means to surrender our plans, our fears, and our hopes into His capable hands. It is to live with the assurance that our lives are secure, not because of our own strength or understanding, but because we are held by a loving and faithful God who has our best interests at heart.

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God, and how can you take a step today to entrust that area more fully to His care? [07:40]

Quotes

"So, today I call this cross talk. So, I want us to look at the talking points of Jesus and the seven sayings that he did upon the cross. And maybe you've read them, not all in one neat package, they come from all of the gospels. So, we'll be kind of looking at all those different texts. But I want us to set the narrative by looking at how Jesus entered Jerusalem on Holy Week some over 2,000 years ago." [01:06:15]( | | )

"Father forgive them because they know not what they are doing. Luke 23, 34. So when I look at this every relationship with Jesus in this room started with what? Forgiveness. Every single one of you if you're a follower of Jesus is because you knew you need to be forgiven." [01:17:27]( | | )

"The cross is open to all who will repent of sin and turn to Jesus. No matter what your background, no matter where you came from, no matter what your sin. So today, if you need Jesus, will you come?" [01:37:47](Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"Will you trust Jesus even now with your breath? Not just your dying breath, but this breath? And then when you get to your deathbed, will you be like those two men that I've told you about? If I'm privileged to be at your deathbed, will I hear you say glory or I'm ready to be with Jesus or victory in Jesus?" [01:34:18]( | | )

"When I see the cross, I see red for the blood. When I see the cross, I see love. When I see the cross, I see forgiveness. When I see the cross, I see grace. When I see the cross, I see mercy. When I see the cross, I see freedom. When I see the cross, I see rescue. When I see the cross, I see my salvation, my rock, my fortress. I see my hope." [01:36:58]( | | )

"Because the one thing Jesus didn't do is he just didn't talk. You ever seen people that talk a lot? Yeah, I know your pastor does. I know. But I hope I also walk the talk. Jesus was willing to say the things I've said, I'm now going to show you by dying for you." [01:08:27]( | | )

"Family sticks together. Right? And that's what he's telling John. Look it's going to be hard on Mary. It's going to be hard on you. Take care of my mom. We take care of each other. In this room we love and take care of each other. Because we're part of the family of God." [01:25:52]( | | )

"Whether it was I need to be forgiven by God. A lot of them were I need to forgive somebody else. And I can't. And there were the other ones that were like I can't forgive myself. Listen Jesus died for that. I want you to hear that. You can be forgiven." [01:19:27]( | | )

"The cross determines where we'll spend eternity. That's the talking point. Listen I want you to know that there is a real eternity. I know some of us like to think all dogs go to heaven. But not everybody goes to heaven. This is the truth." [01:20:16]( | | )

"Jesus was predicting something that would happen. Every stone would be turned over. Rome would come over and take over. And guess what? Israel would be no more until the 1940s when it was reestablished as a nation. For all those almost 2,000 years Israel disappeared from the face of the earth." [01:13:14]( | | )

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Transcript
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