The Transformative Power of Christ's Crucifixion

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Necessity of Jesus' Crucifixion

Jesus' crucifixion was not a tragic accident but a divine necessity. It was the only way to fulfill God's eternal plan to save sinners. Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to pay the price for our sins. This act of sacrificial love underscores the unique and irreplaceable role of Jesus in our salvation. His death on the cross was the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled with God. Reflecting on this truth helps us understand the depth of God's love and the seriousness of our sin.

The crucifixion of Jesus is central to the Christian faith because it demonstrates the lengths to which God was willing to go to redeem us. It was a planned and purposeful act, not a random event. By understanding the necessity of Jesus' crucifixion, we can appreciate the gravity of our sin and the magnitude of God's grace. This realization should lead us to a deeper gratitude and a more profound commitment to live in a way that honors His sacrifice. [20:36]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How does understanding the necessity of Jesus' crucifixion change the way you view your own sin and God's love for you? What steps can you take today to live in a way that honors His sacrifice?

Day 2: The Cross as the Basis for True Knowledge

True spiritual knowledge and understanding come through the cross. Jesus' crucifixion reveals His divine authority and teachings. It is at the cross that our rebellious wills are conquered, and our souls are illuminated. This transformative revelation leads us to a deeper understanding of God's love and justice. The cross is not just a historical event but a lens through which we can see the true nature of God and His plan for humanity.

The cross challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to confront the reality of our sin and the depth of God's love. It is through the cross that we gain true knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, changing the way we live and relate to God and others. By meditating on the cross, we can grow in our understanding of God's character and His purposes for our lives. [27:07]

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 has the message of the cross transformed your understanding of God and His love for you? In what ways can you allow this knowledge to impact your daily life and decisions?

Day 3: The Drawing Power of the Crucified Christ

Jesus' death on the cross meets our deepest need for a Savior who can atone for our sins. Unlike other religions that offer teachers or prophets, Christianity uniquely provides an atoning Savior. This radical difference draws people to Christ, as His love demonstrated on the cross is unparalleled and has the power to break through the hardest of hearts. The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and the means by which we are drawn into a relationship with Him.

The drawing power of the crucified Christ is evident in the way people from all walks of life are drawn to Him. His sacrificial love has the power to transform lives and bring healing and reconciliation. By focusing on the cross, we can experience the depth of God's love and be drawn closer to Him. This drawing power is not just for initial salvation but continues to draw us into a deeper relationship with God throughout our lives. [31:32]

John 12:32 (ESV): "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Reflection: How has the love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross drawn you closer to Him? What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Christ and experience His drawing power in your life?

Day 4: The Universality of Sin and the Need for Atonement

Every person, regardless of their background or religion, has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. This universal condition necessitates an atoning Savior who can make peace with God on our behalf. Christianity is the only religion that offers such a Savior, making it uniquely capable of addressing our deepest spiritual needs. The recognition of our sinfulness and the need for atonement is the first step towards experiencing God's grace and forgiveness.

Understanding the universality of sin helps us see our need for a Savior and the inadequacy of our own efforts to achieve righteousness. It is only through Jesus' atoning sacrifice that we can be reconciled to God. This truth should lead us to a posture of humility and dependence on God's grace. By acknowledging our need for atonement, we can experience the fullness of God's forgiveness and the transformative power of His love. [33:46]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How does recognizing the universality of sin and the need for atonement impact your view of yourself and others? In what ways can you rely more fully on God's grace and share this message of hope with those around you?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Love

The love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross is the most powerful force for drawing people to God. This love is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality that has the power to transform lives. It breaks through barriers of sin and rebellion, drawing people from all walks of life to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The transformative power of God's love is evident in the way it changes hearts and lives, bringing healing, restoration, and new life.

Experiencing the transformative power of God's love compels us to live differently. It motivates us to love others as Christ has loved us and to share the message of His love with the world. By embracing the love of God, we can experience true transformation and become agents of His love and grace in the lives of others. This love is the foundation of our faith and the driving force behind our mission as followers of Christ. [38:28]

1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Reflection: How has the love of God demonstrated on the cross transformed your life? What practical steps can you take today to share this transformative love with those around you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound significance of Jesus being "lifted up" as described in the Gospel of John. This phrase, "lifted up," appears in three key passages: John 3:14-15, John 8:28, and John 12:32. Each instance reveals a different aspect of Jesus' crucifixion and its implications for our faith.

In John 3:14-15, Jesus compares His crucifixion to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the serpent, we receive eternal life by believing in Jesus' sacrificial death. This passage underscores the necessity of Jesus' crucifixion as part of God's eternal plan to save sinners. No one else could pay the price for our sins; only Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, was capable of this redemptive act.

John 8:28 emphasizes that true knowledge of Jesus and spiritual truths comes through the cross. Jesus stated that when He is lifted up, people will recognize His divine authority and teachings. The cross conquers our rebellious wills and illuminates our souls, allowing us to see Jesus in His glory. This revelation is not just intellectual but transformative, leading us to a deeper understanding of God's love and justice.

Finally, John 12:32 highlights the drawing power of the crucified Christ. Jesus' death meets our deepest need for a Savior who can atone for our sins. Unlike other religions that offer teachers or prophets, Christianity uniquely provides an atoning Savior. This is the radical difference that sets Christianity apart and draws people to Christ. The love demonstrated on the cross is unparalleled and has the power to break through the hardest of hearts, drawing all people to Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Necessity of Jesus' Crucifixion: Jesus' death on the cross was not an accident but a divine necessity. It was the only way to fulfill God's eternal plan to save sinners. No one else could pay the price for our sins; only Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, was capable of this redemptive act. This underscores the unique and irreplaceable role of Jesus in our salvation. [20:36]
2. The Cross as the Basis for True Knowledge: True spiritual knowledge and understanding come through the cross. Jesus' crucifixion reveals His divine authority and teachings. It is at the cross that our rebellious wills are conquered, and our souls are illuminated. This transformative revelation leads us to a deeper understanding of God's love and justice. [27:07]
3. The Drawing Power of the Crucified Christ: Jesus' death on the cross meets our deepest need for a Savior who can atone for our sins. Unlike other religions that offer teachers or prophets, Christianity uniquely provides an atoning Savior. This radical difference draws people to Christ, as His love demonstrated on the cross is unparalleled and has the power to break through the hardest of hearts. [31:32]
4. The Universality of Sin and the Need for Atonement: Every person, regardless of their background or religion, has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. This universal condition necessitates an atoning Savior who can make peace with God on our behalf. Christianity is the only religion that offers such a Savior, making it uniquely capable of addressing our deepest spiritual needs. [33:46]
5. The Transformative Power of God's Love: The love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross is the most powerful force for drawing people to God. This love is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality that has the power to transform lives. It breaks through barriers of sin and rebellion, drawing people from all walks of life to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [38:28]
### [38:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:31] - Introduction to "Lifted Up"
[20:36] - The Necessity of Jesus' Crucifixion
[23:01] - Christ Crucified and Its Impact
[24:51] - The Power of Preaching Christ Crucified
[27:07] - The Cross as the Basis for True Knowledge
[29:15] - The Glorification of Jesus
[31:32] - The Drawing Power of the Crucified Christ
[33:46] - Universality of Sin and Need for Atonement
[36:03] - The Inadequacy of Other Religions
[38:28] - The Transformative Power of God's Love
[40:24] - Call to Look to Jesus
[56:52] - Offering and Thanksgiving
[57:55] - Praise and Worship
[59:12] - The Lord's Supper
[67:35] - Benediction and Closing Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In John 3:14-15, what does Jesus compare His crucifixion to, and what is the significance of this comparison? ([18:31])
According to John 8:28, what will people recognize when Jesus is "lifted up"? ([27:07])
What does John 12:32 say about the effect of Jesus being "lifted up" from the earth? ([31:32])
Why was it necessary for Jesus to die on the cross according to the sermon? ([20:36])

Interpretation Questions

How does the comparison of Jesus' crucifixion to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness help us understand the necessity of Jesus' death? ([18:31])
What does it mean that true knowledge of Jesus and spiritual truths come through the cross, as emphasized in John 8:28? ([27:07])
Why is the drawing power of the crucified Christ unique compared to other religious figures, according to John 12:32 and the sermon? ([31:32])
How does the universality of sin and the need for atonement highlight the unique role of Jesus in our salvation? ([33:46])

Application Questions

Reflecting on John 3:14-15, how does believing in Jesus' sacrificial death impact your daily life and decisions? ([18:31])
In what ways has the cross illuminated your understanding of God's love and justice? Can you share a personal experience where this became evident? ([27:07])
How can you actively share the drawing power of the crucified Christ with those around you who may not know Him? ([31:32])
Considering the universality of sin, how can you approach conversations about faith with people from different backgrounds or religions? ([33:46])
The sermon emphasized the transformative power of God's love demonstrated on the cross. How has this love transformed your life, and how can you show this love to others? ([38:28])
How can you ensure that your understanding of Jesus' crucifixion remains central to your faith and not just an abstract concept? ([20:36])
What steps can you take this week to deepen your knowledge of Jesus through the lens of the cross, as suggested in John 8:28? ([27:07])

Sermon Clips

1. "There are phrases in scripture that we read and it's easy to gloss over them and not really understand the importance of them. Our verses today from John's Gospel tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ was to be lifted up and that when he was lifted up, certain consequences would flow from that. Now, those two words, lifted up, introduce us to some wonderful truths from John's Gospel." [18:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "No other person in creation existed who could pay the price of our sin that we might be forgiven for our sins and go free. No one else could. No one else could. No one else could. No one else could. No one else could. No one could possibly do it. All of us are sinners, and each one, except those who belong to Jesus, must pay the price of their own transgressions. Only Jesus, who is both man and God, without sin, only Jesus could pay the price of our sin, and so save us." [20:36] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Nothing but Christ crucified, dying for our sin, will ever draw people to the preached word. Liberalism, which explains away and takes the guts out of this truth, does not draw people to Christ crucified. The cults replace Jesus with some other nonsense, and that does not bring the peace that the scripture promises, that passes confidently to all understanding. You see, people will not find forgiveness and freedom in a man-centred religion, but preach Christ crucified, proclaim him in the power of the Holy Spirit, and men and women will come to him." [23:01] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The cross is the only basis for true knowledge in spiritual things. Jesus said, when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be, that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just what the Father has taught me. Now there are two senses in which this is true. First, it is true because it is only at the cross of Christ that the stubborn, rebellious will of humanity is conquered." [24:51] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It is at the cross that we are enabled to see Jesus in his glory and behold this wondrous truth that Jesus died for our sins. But then too, it is in the glory of the cross and in those manifestations of God's power that surround it, particularly the resurrection, that we have the fullest proof of Jesus' divinity and the majestic importance of his teaching. So the evidence leads people to saving faith in Christ." [27:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The first reason is that Christ crucified draws everyone to himself because Christ crucified meets the first, the deepest, the greatest, most fundamental human need. And what is that first, greatest, deepest, most fundamental need? A need of a saviour. Because we're doomed without a saviour. But a saviour from what? Well, underlying all else, a saviour from the guilt of sin. Everyone, everywhere has sinned." [31:32] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "No religion, but genuine Christianity offers an atonement of any real importance. And this is the radical point of difference between Christianity and every other religion. So if you ever hear someone who says they're a Christian preacher, they're trying to eliminate Christianity and say that, well, all paths lead to the same place, call out that holy word, rhubarb, and draw their attention to it. Because Christianity is radically different to every other religion. No other religion comes near." [33:46] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Nothing gives the guilty conscience abiding peace. Nothing save the blood of Jesus. And so Christ lifted up, draws all men unto him, even wicked ministers of Satan sometimes come to their senses and flee to the real Christ crucified as I hope that they will. But all may, but happy and blessed is anyone who yields to that drawing and woe to the man or woman who resists Christ lifted up, drawing them to himself because final gloom and despondency and despair is all that awaits them." [36:03] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Christ lifted up is not something to be easily brushed over, to be dismissed as irrelevant. It is of great importance for three simple reasons. First, it's important because it was absolutely necessary to fulfill the eternal plan of the Father to save sinners. Second, it's important because it is the sure basis for all true knowledge of spiritual things. You must come to the cross, and the cross alone. if you would come to know the real God and know him more deeply." [38:28] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And finally, it is important because of the fact that the uplifted Christ draws sinful, ignorant, rebellious people to him, conquering them by an imaginable, unfathomable love that is so clearly displayed at the cross. May that love conquer your heart. And if it hasn't yet done so, right now, look to Jesus. See him lifted up on the cross for you, dying in your place, wounded for you, your transgressions, that by his stripes you may be healed and come to Jesus." [40:24] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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