Shining Light: Embracing Christ's Love and Sacrifice

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I delved into the profound truths surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Luke 23. I began by reflecting on the nature of God's righteousness, emphasizing that it remains unscathed by human wrath. This led to the assertion that we, as the church, are the light of the world, called to shine amidst the darkness that pervades our society. I encouraged the congregation to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, to offer hope in a world rife with depression and bad news.

I shared a personal anecdote about a Roman Catholic nun whose book, "Wow God," deeply impacted me. Her messages, interpreted from tongues, reminded me of the power of God's love and the transformative experience of the Holy Spirit. This story served as a testament to the power of God's love to wash away the darkest of sins, a theme that resonated throughout the sermon.

I then turned to the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting His unwavering ministry even in the face of death. Jesus' actions on the cross—forgiving His executioners, saving a thief, and caring for His mother—exemplified the ultimate act of love and service. I challenged the congregation to emulate Jesus' example, to minister to others regardless of our circumstances, and to always be ready to share the hope of the Gospel.

The sermon also touched on the concept of salvation, using the interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief as a powerful illustration. The thief's recognition of Jesus' righteousness and his plea for remembrance in Jesus' kingdom encapsulated the essence of salvation—acknowledging our sinfulness, recognizing Jesus' innocence, and asking for His grace.

I concluded by reflecting on the supernatural events that accompanied Jesus' death: the darkness that fell over the land, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the earthquake. These occurrences affirmed Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the opening of a new way for us to approach God with confidence.

Finally, I addressed the burial of Jesus, pointing out the courage of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus in caring for Jesus' body. Their actions, once Jesus was no longer a threat, posed a challenge to us: Are we willing to publicly stand for the living Christ and carry our own crosses in discipleship?

Key Takeaways:

- The righteousness of God is impervious to human anger and sin. Just as darkness cannot overcome light, the wrath of man cannot tarnish God's righteousness. We are reminded that our role is not to succumb to the darkness around us but to shine brightly, reflecting God's love and righteousness in a world that desperately needs it. [50:48]

- Ministry is not a matter of convenience but a calling that mirrors Jesus' own ministry. Even in His most excruciating moments, Jesus ministered to those around Him. We are called to minister at all times, especially when it is least convenient, following Jesus' example of selfless love and compassion. [40:58]

- Salvation is both a recognition of our own sinfulness and the acknowledgment of Jesus' righteousness. The repentant thief on the cross exemplifies the simplicity of salvation—admitting our guilt, recognizing Jesus' innocence, and asking for His mercy. This interaction is a model for our own approach to Jesus. [43:38]

- The supernatural events at Jesus' death—the darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the earthquake—serve as divine affirmations of Jesus' identity as the Son of God. These events challenge us to consider the power and significance of Jesus' sacrifice and to live in the reality of His victory over sin and death. [48:16]

- The actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus challenge us to consider our own discipleship. Are we willing to be identified with Jesus, to take up our crosses, and to follow Him, not just in private but in the public sphere of our lives? Our discipleship should be as bold and visible as their care for Jesus' body. [56:44]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 23:26-56 - The Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jesus take on the cross that exemplified His ministry and love for others? ([39:00])
2. How did the repentant thief on the cross acknowledge Jesus' righteousness and his own sinfulness? ([43:02])
3. What supernatural events occurred at the moment of Jesus' death, and what did they signify? ([47:12])
4. How did Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus demonstrate their discipleship after Jesus' death? ([55:01])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' ability to minister to others even in His most excruciating moments teach us about the nature of true ministry? ([40:58])
2. How does the interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief illustrate the simplicity and essence of salvation? ([43:38])
3. What is the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain at the moment of Jesus' death? How does this event impact our relationship with God? ([48:16])
4. In what ways do the actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus challenge modern believers to publicly stand for their faith? ([56:44])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to minister to someone despite your own difficult circumstances. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jesus' example on the cross? ([40:58])
2. The repentant thief recognized his own sinfulness and Jesus' righteousness. How can you cultivate a similar attitude of humility and recognition of Jesus' grace in your daily life? ([43:38])
3. The supernatural events at Jesus' death affirmed His identity as the Son of God. How do these events strengthen your faith in Jesus' victory over sin and death? ([48:16])
4. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took a bold step in caring for Jesus' body. Are there areas in your life where you need to take a public stand for your faith? What steps can you take to be more courageous in your discipleship? ([56:44])
5. Jesus' ministry on the cross was an act of selfless love. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience the love of Christ. What specific action can you take this week to minister to them, even if it is inconvenient? ([40:58])
6. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizes our direct access to God. How can you make use of this access in your prayer life and relationship with God this week? ([48:16])
7. Reflect on the statement that the righteousness of God cannot be ruined by the wrath of man. How can this truth encourage you to be a light in a world filled with darkness and bad news? ([50:01])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Righteousness Shines Through Darkness
God's righteousness stands as an unyielding beacon, impervious to the shadows cast by human sin and anger. In a world that often feels overwhelmed by negativity and despair, this righteousness does not falter or fade; it remains as a constant source of hope and guidance. Believers are called to embody this divine light, to reflect God's love and righteousness in their daily lives. As darkness cannot overcome light, so too the wrath of man cannot diminish the purity of God's righteousness. This divine attribute offers solace and strength to those who seek to navigate through life's challenges, encouraging them to shine brightly amidst the darkness that surrounds them. [50:48]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Reflection: How can you reflect God's righteousness in a specific situation where you feel surrounded by negativity this week?

Day 2: Ministry Beyond Convenience
True ministry does not wait for opportune moments; it is a continuous calling that reflects the unwavering love and service demonstrated by Jesus, even during His crucifixion. As followers of Christ, individuals are challenged to minister to others at all times, particularly when it is least convenient. This selfless love and compassion, as exemplified by Jesus on the cross, is not just an ideal to admire but a practical lifestyle to emulate. It is in the moments of greatest personal trial that the opportunity to serve others can have the most profound impact, revealing the depth of one's commitment to Christ's example. [40:58]

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one act of service you can commit to this week, regardless of its inconvenience to you?

Day 3: The Simplicity of Salvation
Salvation is profoundly simple in its essence, as illustrated by the interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief. It involves the recognition of one's own sinfulness, the acknowledgment of Jesus' righteousness, and the humble request for His grace. This interaction serves as a model for personal salvation—admitting guilt, recognizing Jesus' innocence, and asking for mercy. It is a powerful reminder that salvation is accessible to all who turn to Jesus with a contrite heart, regardless of their past. [43:38]

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a moment from your past week where you could have been more like the repentant thief, and how can you seek Jesus' grace in that area today?

Day 4: Divine Affirmation of Jesus' Sacrifice
The supernatural events that occurred at the moment of Jesus' death—the enveloping darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the earthquake—were not mere coincidences but divine affirmations of His identity as the Son of God. These occurrences underscore the power and significance of Jesus' sacrifice, challenging believers to live in the reality of His victory over sin and death. The tearing of the curtain, in particular, symbolizes the new and living way that has been opened for humanity to approach God with confidence and assurance. [48:16]

"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split." (Matthew 27:51 ESV)

Reflection: What does living in the reality of Jesus' victory look like in your daily life, and how can you demonstrate this to others?

Day 5: Boldness in Discipleship
The actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who cared for Jesus' body after His death, challenge believers to consider the visibility and boldness of their own discipleship. Are they willing to be identified with Jesus, to take up their crosses, and to follow Him in both private and public spheres? True discipleship calls for a visible commitment that does not waver in the face of societal pressures or personal fears. It is a call to stand for Christ and to carry the cross of discipleship with courage and conviction. [56:44]

"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you publicly demonstrate your commitment to Christ this week, even if it requires courage to do so?

Quotes

1) "You know what we are, church? We're the light of the world. Do you know that? There's darkness all around us, but the darkness can never overcome the light. And if we aren't ashamed of Jesus, and if we'll speak his name, that's the light in the world. And if he was willing to go to the cross, then why would you and I be afraid to speak his name and tell people about him?" [50:48]( | | )

2) "On the worst day of Jesus' life, he ministered all the way to the cross. He ministered on the cross. And we need to minister. We need to understand that all the wrath that man, all the garbage they can think up, all the evil things that man has thought of to do, one drop of God's love will wash it away." [51:39]( | | )

3) "He kept ministering right up to his death. He saved a thief on the cross. He said, today you'll be with me in paradise. If he would have missed that, we wouldn't have been upset with him. But he can't deny who he is. And so he kept ministering in excruciating pain. And he cared for his mom." [39:47]( | | )

4) "We have such a great example here, the anatomy of salvation. If you ever want to study salvation and look at what it looks like, you have such an example of Jesus on the cross, all right? The other criminal rebuked him... 'We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'" [43:38]( | | )

5) "The sun stopped shining. The curtain of the temple was torn in two... When Jesus dies, and he says, it's finished, and he said, Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit, the temple, that curtain... ripped from top to bottom. Why? Because Jesus opened it up. In Hebrews, it tells us, then we can come boldly, what? To the throne of grace." [48:16]( | | )

6) "Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus came out of the closet and they cared for Jesus' body... The threat was gone, right?... But it amazes me that those guys were afraid to say anything when he was alive, but now that he's dead, they went and asked for his body. I have a challenge for you tonight. You don't serve a dead Jesus. You've got a living one." [56:44](Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

7) "What's your cross like compared to Jesus?... But on the way back to the house, feeling sorry for myself, I thought of what I had been reading that morning. It was this text, and I thought, you know what? Compared to what Jesus went through, this is nothing. What are you going through today, and how does it compare to what Jesus went through for us?" [33:27]( | | )

8) "The earth quaked. The graves opened. And you know what all that did? It confirmed Jesus' identity... It says afterwards in verse 43, the centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, surely this was a righteous man. A Roman soldier said that. He had seen a lot of men die before. He had never seen one die like this." [49:07]( | | )

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Transcript
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