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(Sermon Notes by John Mitchell / March 20, 2010)

Without question, the crucifixion of Jesus was a terrible event. We find in the scriptures of the horrendous "scourging" or beating he withstood at the hands of the professional execution squad of the Roman Army quartered in Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah stated in ISAIAH 52:14, that Jesus was marred more than any man through this horrible torture. In other words, Jesus was beaten beyond normal recognition. And then underwent the cruelty of the agonizing death of crucifixion on the "stake". We find certain points, as it were, regarding this terrible event.

MT. 27:32-35-Crucifixion was an excruciating and painful way to die, which Jesus was willing to accept without pain-killing drugs.

MT. 27:36-44-Crucifixion was a shameful way to die, stripped naked of common dignity, mocked by those there, crucified with common thieves.

MT. 27:45-50-Crucifixion not only had physical suffering in Jesus’ case, Jesus suffered great spiritual agony as well.

While there may be a place and time for contemplating the actual physical details of Jesus' crucifixion, it is not today. No, I want to expand on the scriptures from our Bible Study this past Wednesday evening which are taken from JOHN 12:23-33. The lessons, the significance of Jesus' crucifixion are especially needful for us as we examine ourselves as Paul admonished us prior to taking the symbols of the Passover or Lord's Supper.

LUKE 23:26-31-Although the suffering of Jesus brings tears to our eyes today, 2000 years later, as we read and understand what He went through, Jesus did not want them to weep for him, rather for themselves. For He knew that in 37 yrs. Jerusalem would be sacked, burned, and destroyed. And His Jewish brethren’s blood would run like a stream through the streets as General Titus of Rome exacted the Roman penalty for revolt.
VERSE 34:-Even though dying on the cross, His concern was for others.

What then is the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus? What lessons for us? They go far beyond feeling sorry for what Jesus went through. Remember Jesus' words in JOHN 12:32-"I WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME". Satan had wanted Jesus crucified (humiliated, scourged, dead).

Satan thought people would then dismiss Jesus as just another false prophet among many who had risen and fallen over the years. After all, one of His very own had sold him out for 30 pieces of silver ($510.00 today). Everything would go back to normal with Satan deceiving and ruling the world forever. The memory of this Jesus fellow would be soon dismissed and forgotten. However, what Satan meant for defeat became JESUS' VICTORY!! The way for DELIVERANCE of all mankind from the sinful bondage of Satan's deception and SALVATION through the shed blood obtainable through the forgiveness of man’s sins as man accepts JESUS' sinless sacrifice!!!!! Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by:

CONDEMNING SIN ITSELF!!

JESUS DIED BECAUSE OF OUR SINS!!
Jesus DIED for OUR sins! I COR. 15:1-3-& ISAIAH 53:5-6.
Jesus GAVE Himself for OUR sins! GALATIANS 1:3-4.
Jesus BORE OUR sins on the cross! I PETER 2:21-24.
Jesus BLOOD CLEANSES OUR sins! I JOHN 1:7-9.

JESUS KILLED SIN!!
ROMANS 8:3-Jesus CONDEMNED sin in the flesh by HIS death!
ROMANS 6:-3-6-Jesus now makes it POSSIBLE for sinners to destroy their own body of sin, when united with Him by baptism into his death.
GALATIANS 5:24 & COLOSSIANS 3:5-11-Jesus gives us the POWER to overcome the sin that so easily besets us. Where by we PUT OFF the works of the flesh and PUT ON the fruits of the Holy Spirit, that enable us to be the children of God. Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by:

REVEALING HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!!

JESUS DIED BECAUSE OF LOVE!!
JOHN 3:16 & ROMANS 5:6-9-The love of God the Father was fully manifest to all mankind who would receive it. God wants no one to perish but that all would come to salvation through the blood of Jesus.
EPHESIANS 5:2 & 1 JOHN 4:9-10-The love of Jesus was fully manifest to all mankind as He offered Himself for all, as the perfect sacrifice. Let us never neglect the love that was behind that fact.

JESUS DEMONSTRATED WHAT TRUE LOVE IS!!
1 JOHN 3:16 & JOHN 15:12-13 & JOHN 13:34-35 & 1JOHN 4:11-
We now understand the meaning of true love. Jesus' love serves as the pattern for our love. The pattern that is manifest in our love for God, our love for Jesus, our love for one another, our love for all others. Jesus' love is to be the constant reminder of the high standard of love we are called to exhibit. Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by:

THE REDEMPTION OF ALL MANKIND!!

JESUS DIED FOR ALL!!
1 TIMOTHY 2:3-6 & 2 PETER 3:9 & 1 JOHN 2:1-2-God desires that all men are to be saved, not desiring any to perish. Therefore He offered Jesus as a propitiation for all. Each person in their own order, Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Once His kingdom is established here on this earth, then every person who ever drew breath will have the opportunity to accept the sacrifice of Jesus and come to salvation.

JESUS IS THE WORLD’S ONLY HOPE!!
JOHN 14:6-Jesus is the ONLY way to the father. Salvation is not in a church, not in any organization, not in any program, and certainly not in any man!!

ACTS 4:12-Only in the name of JESUS is salvation to be found. The early New Testament Church had a problem in Corinth where members were looking to men. " I am of Paul, I am of Peter, I am of Apollos" some said. No, we are of JESUS, and no other, no-where, no time, no way!!!!!

1 JOHN 2:23-Deny the Son, and one does not have the Father.
2 JOHN :9-If you keep the doctrine of Christ (His Law, His Commandments), then you have both the Father and the Son. The majority today teach that God's Law is done away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus said He did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it.

The death of Jesus on the cross should prompt us to look both inward and outward, to address both our spiritual needs and those of others. Jesus’ crucifixion draws all men to Himself by:

HIS INSPIRATION OF SACRIFICE!!

JESUS' DEATH PROVIDES THE EXAMPLE!!
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-8-His death demonstrated the mind of humility.
1 PETER 2:20-24-His suffering demonstrated the example of suffering patiently. His death, His sacrifice, His crucifixion is designed to INSPIRE us to walk in love, to walk in humility, to suffer patiently when mistreated for doing good, and to give of ourselves to others.

CONCLUSION!!

Certainly more could be said about "The Crucifixion of Jesus." But perhaps these few thoughts today will increase our appreciation of what God the Father and Jesus did for each of us. And not only for us, but for the whole world.

Jesus' death is the CONDEMNATION of sin!
Jesus' death revealed the FULL LOVE of the Father and Son!
Jesus' death is the REDEMPTION of the world!
Jesus' death is the INSPIRATION of sacrifice!

We are all "examing" ourselves as the Apostle Paul wrote as we approach the Passover or Lord's Supper. A week from tomorrow night we will meet here at 7:30 PM to partake of the wine and bread symbolizing Jesus' shed blood and broken body as He commanded. A week from Monday, prior to meeting here that evening for the "Night to Be Much Remembered," we will be busy cleaning out the leavening from our homes. Leavening is pictured in scripture as symbolic of sin, and we are to observe the 7 "Days of Unleavened Bread" the first of God’s annual Holy Day seasons. Jesus is our sinless (unleavened) crucified and resurrected saviour, and we are to picture becoming unleavened as well. That is why we eat unleavened bread for 7 days as God commanded in LEVITICUS 23:

Are we taking advantage of what "The Crucifixion of Jesus" means to us?
Are we crucifying the deeds of our flesh daily, with Christ?
Are we growing in love?
Are we concerned and doing something about preaching the gospel message to our community
Are we inspired in our service to each other and to all others by the example of Jesus' sacrifice?

WE EACH MUST ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS OURSELVES!!

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THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS
(Sermon Notes by John Mitchell / March 20, 2010) Without question, the crucifixion of Jesus was a terrible event. We find in the scriptures of the horrendous "scourging" or beating he withstood at the hands of the professional execution squad of the Roman Army quartered in Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah stated in ISAIAH 52:14, that Jesus was marred more than any man through this horrible torture. In other words, Jesus was beaten beyond normal recognition. And then underwent the cruelty of the agonizing death of crucifixion on the "stake". We find certain points, as it were, regarding this terrible event. MT. 27:32-35-Crucifixion was an excruciating and painful way to die, which Jesus was willing to accept without pain-killing drugs. MT. 27:36-44-Crucifixion was a shameful way to die, stripped naked of common dignity, mocked by those there, crucified with common thieves. MT. 27:45-50-Crucifixion not only had physical suffering in Jesus’ case, Jesus suffered great spiritual agony as well. While there may be a place and time for contemplating the actual physical details of Jesus' crucifixion, it is not today. No, I want to expand on the scriptures from our Bible Study this past Wednesday evening which are taken from JOHN 12:23-33. The lessons, the significance of Jesus' crucifixion are especially needful for us as we examine ourselves as Paul admonished us prior to taking the symbols of the Passover or Lord's Supper. LUKE 23:26-31-Although the suffering of Jesus brings tears to our eyes today, 2000 years later, as we read and understand what He went through, Jesus did not want them to weep for him, rather for themselves. For He knew that in 37 yrs. Jerusalem would be sacked, burned, and destroyed. And His Jewish brethren’s blood would run like a stream through the streets as General Titus of Rome exacted the Roman penalty for revolt. VERSE 34:-Even though dying on the cross, His concern was for others. What then is the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus? What lessons for us? They go far beyond feeling sorry for what Jesus went through. Remember Jesus' words in JOHN 12:32-"I WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME". Satan had wanted Jesus crucified (humiliated, scourged, dead). Satan thought people would then dismiss Jesus as just another false prophet among many who had risen and fallen over the years. After all, one of His very own had sold him out for 30 pieces of silver ($510.00 today). Everything would go back to normal with Satan deceiving and ruling the world forever. The memory of this Jesus fellow would be soon dismissed and forgotten. However, what Satan meant for defeat became JESUS' VICTORY!! The way for DELIVERANCE of all mankind from the sinful bondage of Satan's deception and SALVATION through the shed blood obtainable through the forgiveness of man’s sins as man accepts JESUS' sinless sacrifice!!!!! Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by: CONDEMNING SIN ITSELF!! JESUS DIED BECAUSE OF OUR SINS!! Jesus DIED for OUR sins! I COR. 15:1-3-& ISAIAH 53:5-6. Jesus GAVE Himself for OUR sins! GALATIANS 1:3-4. Jesus BORE OUR sins on the cross! I PETER 2:21-24. Jesus BLOOD CLEANSES OUR sins! I JOHN 1:7-9. JESUS KILLED SIN!! ROMANS 8:3-Jesus CONDEMNED sin in the flesh by HIS death! ROMANS 6:-3-6-Jesus now makes it POSSIBLE for sinners to destroy their own body of sin, when united with Him by baptism into his death. GALATIANS 5:24 & COLOSSIANS 3:5-11-Jesus gives us the POWER to overcome the sin that so easily besets us. Where by we PUT OFF the works of the flesh and PUT ON the fruits of the Holy Spirit, that enable us to be the children of God. Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by: REVEALING HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!! JESUS DIED BECAUSE OF LOVE!! JOHN 3:16 & ROMANS 5:6-9-The love of God the Father was fully manifest to all mankind who would receive it. God wants no one to perish but that all would come to salvation through the blood of Jesus. EPHESIANS 5:2 & 1 JOHN 4:9-10-The love of Jesus was fully manifest to all mankind as He offered Himself for all, as the perfect sacrifice. Let us never neglect the love that was behind that fact. JESUS DEMONSTRATED WHAT TRUE LOVE IS!! 1 JOHN 3:16 & JOHN 15:12-13 & JOHN 13:34-35 & 1JOHN 4:11- We now understand the meaning of true love. Jesus' love serves as the pattern for our love. The pattern that is manifest in our love for God, our love for Jesus, our love for one another, our love for all others. Jesus' love is to be the constant reminder of the high standard of love we are called to exhibit. Jesus' crucifixion draws all men to Himself by: THE REDEMPTION OF ALL MANKIND!! JESUS DIED FOR ALL!! 1 TIMOTHY 2:3-6 & 2 PETER 3:9 & 1 JOHN 2:1-2-God desires that all men are to be saved, not desiring any to perish. Therefore He offered Jesus as a propitiation for all. Each person in their own order, Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Once His kingdom is established here on this earth, then every person who ever drew breath will have the opportunity to accept the sacrifice of Jesus and come to salvation. JESUS IS THE WORLD’S ONLY HOPE!! JOHN 14:6-Jesus is the ONLY way to the father. Salvation is not in a church, not in any organization, not in any program, and certainly not in any man!! ACTS 4:12-Only in the name of JESUS is salvation to be found. The early New Testament Church had a problem in Corinth where members were looking to men. " I am of Paul, I am of Peter, I am of Apollos" some said. No, we are of JESUS, and no other, no-where, no time, no way!!!!! 1 JOHN 2:23-Deny the Son, and one does not have the Father. 2 JOHN :9-If you keep the doctrine of Christ (His Law, His Commandments), then you have both the Father and the Son. The majority today teach that God's Law is done away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus said He did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it. The death of Jesus on the cross should prompt us to look both inward and outward, to address both our spiritual needs and those of others. Jesus’ crucifixion draws all men to Himself by: HIS INSPIRATION OF SACRIFICE!! JESUS' DEATH PROVIDES THE EXAMPLE!! PHILIPPIANS 2:3-8-His death demonstrated the mind of humility. 1 PETER 2:20-24-His suffering demonstrated the example of suffering patiently. His death, His sacrifice, His crucifixion is designed to INSPIRE us to walk in love, to walk in humility, to suffer patiently when mistreated for doing good, and to give of ourselves to others. CONCLUSION!! Certainly more could be said about "The Crucifixion of Jesus." But perhaps these few thoughts today will increase our appreciation of what God the Father and Jesus did for each of us. And not only for us, but for the whole world. Jesus' death is the CONDEMNATION of sin! Jesus' death revealed the FULL LOVE of the Father and Son! Jesus' death is the REDEMPTION of the world! Jesus' death is the INSPIRATION of sacrifice! We are all "examing" ourselves as the Apostle Paul wrote as we approach the Passover or Lord's Supper. A week from tomorrow night we will meet here at 7:30 PM to partake of the wine and bread symbolizing Jesus' shed blood and broken body as He commanded. A week from Monday, prior to meeting here that evening for the "Night to Be Much Remembered," we will be busy cleaning out the leavening from our homes. Leavening is pictured in scripture as symbolic of sin, and we are to observe the 7 "Days of Unleavened Bread" the first of God’s annual Holy Day seasons. Jesus is our sinless (unleavened) crucified and resurrected saviour, and we are to picture becoming unleavened as well. That is why we eat unleavened bread for 7 days as God commanded in LEVITICUS 23: Are we taking advantage of what "The Crucifixion of Jesus" means to us? Are we crucifying the deeds of our flesh daily, with Christ? Are we growing in love? Are we concerned and doing something about preaching the gospel message to our community Are we inspired in our service to each other and to all others by the example of Jesus' sacrifice? WE EACH MUST ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS OURSELVES!!

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS