Redemption and Triumph: The Power of the Cross

 

Summary

The story of the repentant thief on the cross offers profound insights into the nature of redemption and the power of the cross. This thief, in his final moments, recognized Jesus and asked to be remembered in His kingdom. Jesus' response, promising paradise that very day, illustrates that the cross is the doorway to eternal life. This moment is not merely about last-minute repentance but highlights the transformative power of recognizing Jesus' sacrifice. The cross, therefore, becomes a symbol of hope and redemption, accessible to all who believe, regardless of their past.

Good Friday, often seen as a day of sorrow, is reframed as a day of triumph. It is a window into how God overcomes the worst of human actions. The cross represents humanity's "best shot" at evil, yet it is through this act that God's victory is revealed. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians, speaks of carrying the dying of Jesus in our bodies so that His life may also be manifested in us. This paradox of life through death underscores the inadequacy of human strength and the sufficiency of God's power.

The cross is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms our lives. Paul boasts in the cross because it is the gateway to the life God intended for us. It crucifies the world to us, severing the ties of worldly promises and powers. This crucifixion is not a loss but a gain, as it leads to a life that transcends worldly limitations. We are invited to die with Christ, freeing us from the world's control and enabling us to live in the power of His resurrection.

Good Friday is indeed good because it reveals the truth of our condition and the hope of resurrection life. It breaks our hearts to see the suffering of the cross, yet it is through this suffering that we find our place in God's eternal story. The cross shows us where we stand in reality and leads us to a life with Christ, both now and forever.

Key Takeaways:

1. The repentant thief on the cross illustrates the immediate accessibility of redemption through Jesus, emphasizing that the cross is the doorway to eternal life, not just a last-minute escape. This moment reveals the power of recognizing Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it brings to all believers. [00:41]

2. Good Friday is a day of triumph, not just sorrow, as it demonstrates God's victory over humanity's worst actions. The cross is humanity's "best shot" at evil, yet it is through this act that God's power and triumph are revealed. [02:42]

3. The Apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians highlights the paradox of life through death, showing that human inadequacy is met with God's sufficiency. By carrying the dying of Jesus, we manifest His life, revealing the power of the cross in our daily lives. [03:28]

4. The cross is a present reality that transforms our lives, crucifying the world to us and severing the ties of worldly promises and powers. This crucifixion is not a loss but a gain, leading to a life that transcends worldly limitations and empowers us to live in God's goodness. [05:41]

5. Good Friday reveals the truth of our condition and the hope of resurrection life, showing us where we stand in reality and leading us to a life with Christ. It is through the suffering of the cross that we find our place in God's eternal story, both now and forever. [07:21]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - The Repentant Thief
[00:41] - Recognizing Jesus' Power
[01:16] - The Doorway to Paradise
[01:37] - Living in God's Power
[01:58] - Human Goodness and the Cross
[02:19] - Triumph Over Evil
[02:42] - God's Victory Revealed
[03:08] - Paul's Teaching on the Cross
[03:28] - Life Through Death
[03:56] - God's Adequacy in Our Lives
[04:30] - Boasting in the Cross
[04:54] - Eternal Life Now
[05:19] - Crucifying the World
[06:05] - Freedom from Worldly Control
[06:36] - Good Friday's Reality
[07:21] - Resurrection Life with Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 23:39-43 - The story of the repentant thief on the cross.
2. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 - Paul's teaching on carrying the dying of Jesus in our bodies.

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Observation Questions:

1. What did the repentant thief on the cross ask Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? (Luke 23:42-43)
2. According to the sermon, what does the cross symbolize in terms of human actions and God's victory? [02:42]
3. How does Paul describe the experience of carrying the dying of Jesus in our bodies in 2 Corinthians 4:10-11?
4. What does the sermon suggest is crucified at the cross, according to Paul's teachings? [05:41]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the repentant thief illustrate the immediate accessibility of redemption through Jesus? [00:41]
2. In what ways does Good Friday demonstrate God's triumph over humanity's worst actions, as discussed in the sermon? [02:42]
3. What does Paul mean by "bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus" and how does it relate to manifesting His life? (2 Corinthians 4:10-11)
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of the world being crucified to us through the cross? [05:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the story of the repentant thief. Is there an area in your life where you need to recognize Jesus' sacrifice more fully? How can you do this in a practical way? [00:41]
2. Good Friday is described as a day of triumph. How can you reframe your understanding of difficult situations in your life to see God's victory in them? [02:42]
3. Paul talks about carrying the dying of Jesus in our bodies. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you be more intentional about it? (2 Corinthians 4:10-11)
4. The sermon mentions that the cross severs the ties of worldly promises and powers. What worldly ties do you need to let go of, and how can you begin this process? [05:41]
5. How can you live in the power of Jesus' resurrection in your everyday life, as suggested by the sermon? [07:21]
6. The sermon highlights the inadequacy of human strength and the sufficiency of God's power. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's power rather than your own strength? [03:28]
7. Consider the idea of being crucified to the world. What practical steps can you take to ensure that worldly influences do not control your actions and decisions? [06:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Redemption Through Recognition
The story of the repentant thief on the cross is a powerful testament to the immediate accessibility of redemption through Jesus Christ. In his final moments, the thief recognized Jesus' divine nature and asked to be remembered in His kingdom. This act of faith, even at the last hour, was met with Jesus' promise of paradise that very day. This moment is not just about last-minute repentance but highlights the transformative power of recognizing Jesus' sacrifice. It underscores that the cross is the doorway to eternal life, offering hope and redemption to all who believe, regardless of their past. This narrative invites believers to see the cross as a symbol of hope and a call to recognize the profound impact of Jesus' sacrifice in their own lives. [00:41]

Luke 23:42-43 (ESV): "And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to recognize Jesus' power and seek His redemption today?


Day 2: Triumph in Suffering
Good Friday, often perceived as a day of sorrow, is reframed as a day of triumph. It is a profound demonstration of how God overcomes the worst of human actions. The cross represents humanity's "best shot" at evil, yet it is through this act that God's victory is revealed. This paradoxical triumph shows that even in the darkest moments, God's power and love prevail. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a testament to God's ability to transform evil into good. It invites believers to see beyond the pain and recognize the victory that the cross represents, encouraging them to trust in God's ultimate plan and triumph over evil. [02:42]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How can you view a current struggle in your life as an opportunity for God's triumph and victory?


Day 3: Life Through Death
The Apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians highlights the paradox of life through death, showing that human inadequacy is met with God's sufficiency. By carrying the dying of Jesus in our bodies, we manifest His life, revealing the power of the cross in our daily lives. This teaching underscores the inadequacy of human strength and the sufficiency of God's power. It invites believers to embrace the paradox of life through death, understanding that true life is found in surrendering to God's will and allowing His power to work through their weaknesses. This perspective encourages a deeper reliance on God and a willingness to let go of self-reliance. [03:28]

2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (ESV): "Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of self-reliance and allow God's power to manifest through your weaknesses?


Day 4: Transformation Through the Cross
The cross is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms our lives. It crucifies the world to us, severing the ties of worldly promises and powers. This crucifixion is not a loss but a gain, leading to a life that transcends worldly limitations and empowers us to live in God's goodness. The cross invites believers to die with Christ, freeing them from the world's control and enabling them to live in the power of His resurrection. This transformation is an ongoing process that requires a daily commitment to living in the reality of the cross and embracing the new life it offers. [05:41]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the reality of the cross to transform your daily life and sever ties with worldly influences?


Day 5: Hope in Resurrection Life
Good Friday reveals the truth of our condition and the hope of resurrection life, showing us where we stand in reality and leading us to a life with Christ. It is through the suffering of the cross that we find our place in God's eternal story, both now and forever. This day breaks our hearts with the suffering of Jesus, yet it is through this suffering that we find hope and a promise of new life. The cross invites believers to embrace the reality of their condition and the hope of resurrection life, encouraging them to live in the light of this hope and to find their place in God's eternal story. [07:21]

Romans 6:5 (ESV): "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."

Reflection: How can you live today in the hope of resurrection life, finding your place in God's eternal story?

Quotes

"I like to think about we the thief on the cross and you know when you say that you're automatically and everyone knows you're referring to the one who was repentant the other guy just kind of disappears he's not the thief on the cross the thief on the cross is the one who recognized Jesus no doubt from the power that he saw in how he took the cross and how he hung upon the cross and he said Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." [00:00:12]

"Good Friday is getting better don't you think of course it's only because we know it Easter is there because one of the things that we see on Good Friday we have a window into how God triumphs over everything what the cross tells me is in the language of a popular song of some years ago God is saying to humanity hit me with your best shot and strangely enough the cross is the best shot of the worst that human beings can do and in doing that we see the triumph of Christ in broken human lives." [00:02:13]

"Paul talks about this in 2nd Corinthians 4 10 through 11 he talks about how in his own individual case and we're invited to this also the dying of the Lord Jesus was always carried about in his body what did that mean that meant Paul looked like someone who was humanly not able to do what needed to be done and the truth is he wasn't so that verse in second Corinthians doesn't stop there bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life of Jesus also can be seen in our mortal bodies." [00:03:12]

"See the cross in revealing human inadequacy reveals the adequacy of God in the worst situation that human beings could possibly endure so now we see the words of Paul may it never be that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ boasting in the cross because now we see it's goodness it is the doorway into the life that God intended for human beings it is the doorway into eternal life into a life beyond this life which strangely is now present within this life an eternal kind of life that we take with us wherever we go and it's a real presence and power that enables us to achieve the goodness of God in human life that is laid out in Jesus and in his teachings." [00:04:08]

"Paul puts it very carefully he says in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through which the world has been crucified to me strange what got crucified at the cross the world did the world got crucified at the cross and there's to be no resurrection for in the world is crucified did Paul mean by that he meant that all of the promises and the powers of the world are now cut off from him by the cross it has shown him a different life and he adds through which I have been crucified unto the world I think that's the final move in Good Friday is that we know that now we can die with Christ we don't have to live our lives in terms of what we would call the world from the world's point of view it may look like we are crippled and in their turns indeed we are and we have accepted that so we don't pull the strings and push the buttons that people who have only the world do and it doesn't pull our strings and push our buttons because we are crucified unto it." [00:05:30]

"Good Friday is good it breaks your heart to see it but good Friday is good because the cross shows us where we stand in reality and leads us to resurrection life with Christ in our lives here and forever that's good Friday it's really good." [00:07:09]

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Transcript
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