WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.939 And as you take your seats, if you would turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:15.939 Our passage this evening is just one verse, really it's just one half, first half of this verse. 00:00:15.939 --> 00:00:18.359 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:20.260 I'll let you stay seated. 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:22.140 You've been up enough this evening. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:25.039 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:26.660 Please follow along with me as I read. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:29.160 He says, 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:38.000 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God. 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:39.519 Would you pray with me? 00:00:39.620 --> 00:00:52.079 Father, we ask on this night as we remember the cross of Christ, God, we ask that what He did would become so clear to us. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:00:58.500 And why He did what He did, why He died the way He died, why He suffered the way He suffered. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:03.060 We pray, God, that He would make this clear to each and every one of us. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:08.359 And would we rejoice this evening that the blood of Christ has been shed for sinners like us. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:10.840 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:12.239 Amen. 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:18.619 Just about everyone recognizes the cross. 00:01:20.619 --> 00:01:23.299 The cross of Christ is a well-known symbol. 00:01:23.459 --> 00:01:25.659 It's become the symbol of Christianity. 00:01:25.919 --> 00:01:33.319 Most Christian churches have a cross somewhere about the building, either inside or maybe on a logo. 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:39.179 It's even become popular to decorate homes with images of the cross. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:42.119 People decorate their bodies with images of the cross. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:44.000 The cross has become a popular tattoo. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:47.799 Women decorate their ears and their necks. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:52.199 Jewelry is often portraying this image of the cross. 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:58.740 I was told when I planned to move here to the Charleston area that, I don't know if this is true or not, 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:05.020 but an unofficial building rule in Charleston is that no building can be built higher than the tallest steeple 00:02:05.020 --> 00:02:13.659 so that as you enter into the city of Charleston, literally what you see in the skyline is the image of the cross 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:16.099 as you enter into the so-called holy city. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:21.979 Many, especially where we live, are familiar with the image of the cross, 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:27.319 but I would argue that not so many truly understand the impact of the cross. 00:02:28.459 --> 00:02:34.120 They see it as a symbol, but they don't really understand the significance. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:36.859 But of course, that's the most important part. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:40.939 We need to understand the power of the cross. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:45.719 What is the significance behind those two beams of wood, 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:49.379 one vertical, one horizontal, one up, one across? 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.680 Why do we make such a big deal about it? 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:57.099 Not just on Good Friday, but each and every week as we gather together for worship. 00:02:57.419 --> 00:03:00.599 Why are Christians so obsessed with the cross? 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:08.699 I'm convinced that one of the greatest dangers that faces our Western, American, Southern culture 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:15.199 is that many of us can point out the cross, but not as many of us really get the point of the cross. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:20.459 And so this evening, what I want to do is spend the next several minutes together 00:03:20.459 --> 00:03:25.000 asking some questions about this cross. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:27.579 And I have three questions for us this evening. 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:32.259 And the verse that we've just read hopefully will answer them for us. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:35.319 And my questions are, what did Christ do? 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:38.259 Who did he do it for? 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:40.699 And why did he do it? 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:48.840 First question, first, what did Christ do on the cross? 00:03:48.959 --> 00:03:54.419 Well, the Puritans, they had this way of studying the scriptures and expounding the scriptures 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:58.439 where they would take one verse, maybe even just one phrase even, 00:03:58.579 --> 00:04:03.379 and they would just very slowly, very deliberately turn it all around. 00:04:03.459 --> 00:04:04.819 It's kind of like looking at a diamond. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:09.319 They would see the light reflecting off of each and every angle, each and every side. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:11.120 They would inspect it slowly. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:17.159 And so I just want to do that for a minute here as we ask, what did Christ do? 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.680 Let's just take this phrase by phrase very slowly. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.300 Let the verse tell us. 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:26.100 The first phrase here, Peter says, Jesus Christ suffered. 00:04:28.039 --> 00:04:31.079 I mean, really, the cross is not a beautiful thing. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.139 You realize that, I hope. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:34.560 And not in and of itself anyways. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:40.120 The cross would never have decorated any home in the ancient world. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:43.199 No one would have ever thought to wear the cross as jewelry. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:44.479 Why? 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:48.579 Because the cross is an instrument of torture. 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:52.180 The cross is a gruesome thing. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:54.659 It's a symbol of suffering. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:59.260 The Romans would execute their criminals in the most horrific ways, 00:04:59.880 --> 00:05:03.560 nailing them to a beam of wood by their wrists and at their ankles. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:07.460 They would be beaten to the point where they're barely recognizable, 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:12.600 and then hung there on the top of the hill as a matter of public shaming. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.280 See, they were not only trying to kill their criminals. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:22.780 They wanted to make an example of them and humiliate them as a public example so that everyone would see it. 00:05:23.700 --> 00:05:32.640 The criminal would be left there on the cross struggling in vain to push themselves up with their feet 00:05:32.640 --> 00:05:35.220 so they could catch their breath as they hung. 00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:40.000 It was almost like drowning as their lungs were pushed to their maximum capacity. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:47.040 Actually, if you read up, it says asphyxiation was the leading cause of death in a Roman execution. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:48.439 Why? 00:05:48.579 --> 00:05:53.699 Because you could breathe in easily enough, but your lungs, the way you hung there on the cross, 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:55.480 you simply could not exhale. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:02.980 And then, if they survived all of this, when they were done with you, the Romans would come through. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:07.800 They would break the criminals' legs so that they could no longer push themselves up, 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:12.379 and eventually their bodies would give way and they would die. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:16.000 Why are Christians so obsessed with this cross? 00:06:17.780 --> 00:06:22.040 And the cross is a picture of gruesome suffering. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:26.960 It makes you wonder, why in the world would anybody wear this as jewelry around their neck 00:06:26.960 --> 00:06:29.160 or decorate their homes with this? 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:31.240 Nobody wears necklaces of the electric chair. 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:36.500 Why do people celebrate the cross? 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:40.220 One clue is found in this little word, also. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.460 Christ also suffered. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:51.920 The apostle Peter, he writes this letter to suffering Christians. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:58.920 Those who would receive this letter were Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. 00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:05.500 These were Christians who have had the doors of society and the doors of commerce shut in their face. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:09.319 Christians who are realizing all of a sudden, in very real ways, 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:13.759 that following Christ in a sinful world comes with consequences. 00:07:14.780 --> 00:07:19.800 It is difficult to stay faithful to Christ in a world that hates Christ. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:24.319 What comfort can the apostle Peter give to suffering Christians? 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:31.220 He says, Christian, look to the cross and remember Christ also suffered. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:35.759 And what a comfort that is for us, Christian. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:38.439 When we suffer. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:43.879 And when we wrestle with the hardships of life in a fallen and sinful world. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:48.159 When it feels like no one understands what we're going through. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.699 Or maybe no one cares. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:53.620 In fact, that's the one thing we can't say. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:59.240 Because we look to the cross and we see Christ also suffered. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:06.139 The author of Hebrews tells us that he himself suffered while being tempted. 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:10.079 It tells us that we have a great high priest. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:13.040 One who's able to sympathize with us in our weakness. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.800 He was made like us. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:20.120 If you feel pain, you can look to the cross and see Christ also suffered. 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:27.120 If you have been rejected, you can look at the cross and see Christ also suffered. 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:33.480 If you have been hated, we can look to the cross and remember the Son of God understands. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:36.920 He can commiserate with us in our weakness, in our suffering. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:42.220 He can truly say, yes, I know how that feels and I care. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.100 Jesus is a friend of sinners. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:49.139 But it's also much more than that, isn't it? 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.040 And we get another clue why Christians celebrate this ugly cross. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:56.980 In the second part of that first phrase here, he says, 00:08:57.060 --> 00:09:02.180 Christ also suffered once for sins. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:11.059 And the Bible tells us that all suffering can be traced back to the existence of sin. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:14.859 We suffer because there's sin in the world that leads to suffering. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:18.019 There's sin in our families that leads to suffering. 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:20.479 There's sin in our own hearts that leads to suffering. 00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:23.719 Sin always ends in suffering. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:31.040 And ultimately, if we die in our sin, we will endure eternal suffering. 00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:38.060 The wrath of our holy and just God will be poured out on all who remain in their sin. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:43.420 This is far greater than even the worst imaginable physical suffering that you can endure in this life. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:47.639 But here we see good news. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:55.099 Christ also suffered once for sins. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:00.919 We look to the cross and see Christ's suffering and his death. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.500 It was not just the product of sin. 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:08.360 It's also and especially the payment for sins. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:14.539 Christ suffered and died not just so he can sympathize with us in our weakness, 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.320 but so that he can save us. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:24.120 Church, we celebrate the cross because here we see Jesus Christ suffered once 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:30.139 as a one-time, all-sufficient, paid-in-full payment for sins. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:35.460 In other words, his suffering and his death is not just to identify with sinners, 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:43.820 although he does, but to rescue us from our sins and to save us from the wrath of God, 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:47.259 to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:50.700 This is what Jesus has done on the cross. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:56.060 He's died as a substitute for sinners in our place, 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.780 which leads us to our second question. 00:10:58.820 --> 00:11:00.320 Second phrase here. 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:03.280 Our second question is, well, who did he do this for? 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:07.579 Who is this sacrifice for? 00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:09.339 Whose debt did he pay? 00:11:09.459 --> 00:11:12.439 And surely in our way of thinking, we would say, 00:11:12.699 --> 00:11:15.639 Christ came to save the best among us. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:20.339 Christ came to save those who have tried the hardest. 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:24.240 And Christ came to save those who have tried to better themselves, 00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:27.679 who have performed well, who's better than the next guy. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:31.439 Surely he has come to save those who are obedient, 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:33.500 those who have a clean track record. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:36.500 Peter tells us, no. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:41.599 Christ also suffered once for sins, 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:46.120 the righteous for the unrighteous. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:49.179 Let's get one thing straight. 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:51.000 When we look at the cross, 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:55.879 this is an instrument of torture and execution for criminals. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:12:01.120 The guilty party would hang there on the cross to die. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:02.480 But there's just one problem, right? 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:04.539 Jesus wasn't guilty. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:09.799 The Son of God lived a perfectly righteous life. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.919 He was sinless inside and out. 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:15.379 Every single thought, every single word, 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:17.159 every single action, 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.439 every single intention of his heart 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:23.799 was completely, 100%, totally pure, 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:28.379 totally honoring to God as Father for his entire life. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:33.399 Romans 6 tells us that the wages of sin is death. 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.899 He is the only one who can say with 100% certainty, 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:39.759 I have not earned death by my life. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:44.080 There is only one man who has been truly, 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:46.220 perfectly righteous, 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.120 and yet here he is, 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.179 willingly going to the cross, 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.179 willingly enduring suffering, 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:56.360 willingly being humiliated, 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:58.840 and eventually dying a criminal's death. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.580 Why? 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:04.879 Christ substituted himself 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:07.840 in the place of his people. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:12.160 The righteous for the unrighteous. 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:14.200 This was the eternal plan of God 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.500 before the ages began. 00:13:15.660 --> 00:13:16.680 God determined, 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.100 he made a plan, 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:21.220 he's going to magnify his glory. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:21.980 How? 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:25.120 By sending his own perfect son 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:27.120 to live and to die 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.860 and to rise for sinners like us. 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:33.340 When we look at the cross, 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:35.440 we need to remember three key words. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:37.960 I try to remind us of this from time to time. 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:41.800 All of this happened in my place. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.800 The suffering that Christ endured 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:47.900 was in my place. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.660 That's what I've earned. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.580 And the death that Christ has died 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:53.540 was in my place. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.540 That's the death that sinners deserve, 00:13:55.640 --> 00:13:56.100 not him. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.540 The wrath of God 00:13:57.540 --> 00:14:00.240 that was poured out on him at the cross, 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.940 that's what I deserve, 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:05.240 but Jesus bore it in my place. 00:14:05.280 --> 00:14:06.920 Which is exactly why we celebrate 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:08.440 this ugly instrument of torture. 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:12.040 It's because by God's grace, 00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:14.040 this horrible symbol of death 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:15.340 is transformed 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:18.060 into this gift of eternal life. 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:23.000 Christ died in our place. 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.840 He didn't come for good people 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.820 or righteous people 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:29.160 or people who have it all together 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.839 or people who think 00:14:30.839 --> 00:14:32.759 they can work themselves up to God. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.659 There are no such people. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:38.339 We all belong in this category 00:14:38.339 --> 00:14:40.039 of the unrighteous. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.199 We have earned his wrath, 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:44.579 but by his grace, 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:47.980 he has given us his love. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:53.259 The righteous died for the unrighteous. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:56.179 As we see in 2 Corinthians 5.21, 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:59.339 he made him who knew no sin 00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:01.159 to be sin for us 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.319 so that in him 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.699 we might become 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:05.479 the righteousness of God. 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.279 Do you see 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:08.039 why we celebrate the cross? 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:12.259 It's because by his grace, 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:15.159 the symbol of our death and sin 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.179 has now been transformed 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:19.559 into the symbol of our life in Christ. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:23.179 But I have one final question 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.519 this evening. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:26.919 Third, why would he do this? 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.319 Why would he do this? 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.100 There's many answers 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.059 that you can give, 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.539 good biblical answers, 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:38.600 correct, theologically accurate answers. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.740 Christ died in our place 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:43.399 to purchase the forgiveness of sins. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.480 Yes, that's true. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:44.759 Amen. 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:48.039 Christ died in our place, 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.840 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:52.519 to give his people eternal life. 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.620 Yes, absolutely. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:56.820 Christ died in our place 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:59.639 to defeat the powers of sin and darkness. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.960 All of that's true. 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:01.320 Amen. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:04.539 But there is an even greater purpose than this. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.320 What is it? 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:11.000 The final phrase here tells us, 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:14.220 Christ also suffered for sins, 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:16.840 the righteous for the unrighteous. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.240 Why? 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.280 Why? 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:23.019 That he might bring us to God. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.540 If you can believe it, 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:30.060 there is an even better gift to receive 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:32.860 than the forgiveness of all of our sins. 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:37.019 That forgiveness of sins is a glorious gift. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.440 Can you believe that? 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:42.600 Every wrong that you have ever done, 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:44.360 every wrong thought, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.400 every wrong action, 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.340 every wrong deed, 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:49.380 every ounce of you that's dishonoring to God 00:16:49.380 --> 00:16:52.400 is washed clean by the blood of Christ. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.900 That is a wonderful gift. 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:59.480 But there's an even greater purpose than this. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.019 This forgiveness of sins, 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:03.199 that's a necessary condition 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:05.960 for the ultimate purpose of the cross. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.819 What is it? 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:09.180 It's that sinners like us 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.279 might be brought into the presence 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:14.180 of a holy and glorious God. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:16.360 I mean, think about it. 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:20.940 Why is eternal life such a good gift? 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:24.000 It's because we get to live it 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.519 in the presence of God. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:28.640 Why is it so wonderful 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:32.080 that Jesus has conquered sin and death 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.660 and the devil at the cross? 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.100 It's because now, 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:37.200 every single obstacle 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:40.200 that would keep us from enjoying God forever 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.400 has been buried and executed 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.539 at the cross of Christ. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:48.340 The greatest gift of the gospel 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:51.920 and the greatest purpose of the cross 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:54.160 is that sinners like us 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.660 can now enjoy God 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:58.019 in all of His glory 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.460 for the rest of eternity. 00:17:59.580 --> 00:18:00.180 Can you imagine? 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.279 This is why Christians celebrate 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.640 this horrible thing. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:09.400 It's because Jesus' death in our place 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:12.180 has now brought us to God. 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.960 You know, every single religion 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.920 asks that question. 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:18.400 How can man be made right to God? 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:20.340 How can man make it to God? 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.460 Every single religion that you know of 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:25.100 seeks to answer this question 00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:26.440 of how do I bridge this gap 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.940 between God and man? 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.759 And they all have their own version 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.500 of the same answer, don't they? 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:35.120 They all give some list of requirements, 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:38.859 some action, some steps to take, 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.059 some things you must do, 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:41.879 the type of person you must be. 00:18:42.739 --> 00:18:45.000 The gospel alone says, 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:47.519 God has come to us 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.099 to bring us to Him. 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:53.339 The gospel alone says, 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:55.579 you need not make yourself better. 00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:58.979 You need not make yourself stronger 00:18:58.979 --> 00:19:00.819 to make your way to Him. 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.220 In fact, guess what? 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:04.779 The Son of God has become weak 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.439 in order to save the weak. 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:10.200 He has become sin for us 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.839 in order that we might become 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.079 the righteousness of God. 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.599 He has subjected Himself 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.699 to the powers of death. 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:20.480 He has suffered once for sins 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.659 in order to bring us to God 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.659 so that now, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.659 if you are united to Him by faith, 00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:27.819 and that's a big if, 00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.980 in fact, if you have not yet 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.039 repented of your sin 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.839 and put your faith in Jesus, 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:36.459 what better time than now? 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:41.099 But if you have repented of your sin 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:43.419 and if you have put your faith 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:45.440 in Christ, Christian, 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:48.940 you now have peace with God. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:52.140 And you have a certain future 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.800 ahead of you 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:55.300 of enjoyment of His glory 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:57.259 for the rest of eternity. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.340 Friend, do you grasp 00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:59.519 the meaning of the cross? 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:04.279 Is it for you just a symbol, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.380 something familiar, 00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.880 something you can point out, 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.880 or is it the image 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:11.820 of your salvation? 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:15.800 We're going to close this evening 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:19.360 by partaking of communion together. 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.759 And as we do, 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:22.320 you'll hear what's probably 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:24.000 a familiar song, 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.820 but it's one of my favorite hymns, 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:26.620 and I love it 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:29.100 because it very simply 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:30.160 and clearly asks 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.300 some important questions. 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:34.720 What can wash away my sin? 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.519 The answer? 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.840 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:43.439 What can make me whole again? 00:20:43.959 --> 00:20:46.419 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.759 Nothing can for sin atone. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:52.019 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.679 Not of good that I have done. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.879 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:58.439 This is all my hope and peace. 00:20:58.619 --> 00:21:00.720 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:03.240 This is all my righteousness. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.859 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:10.179 Father, we praise you this evening 00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.740 for the blood of Jesus 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:15.119 that washes away every sin. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:18.039 We thank you, Father, 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:19.779 for his death in our place. 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.359 We thank you for his perfect life 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.439 in our place. 00:21:22.479 --> 00:21:23.319 And we thank you 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:25.199 for the fact that he does not 00:21:25.199 --> 00:21:26.439 remain in the grave, 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.579 but he has risen from the grave 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.299 in victory 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:31.039 over everything 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.319 that would keep us from you. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.579 We pray, Father, 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.679 if there are any here 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:37.519 who don't know you by faith, 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:39.099 would you give them now 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:40.259 the gift of regeneration? 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.879 God, would you make them 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.799 new creations 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.899 by putting their faith 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.699 in Christ this moment? 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.460 And Father, 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:51.279 would you encourage us, 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:51.919 Father, 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.279 as we look to the cross 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.099 and remember Christ also suffered 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.199 once for us, 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.099 for sins, 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.679 the righteous, 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.679 for the unrighteous, 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:01.299 that he might bring us to God. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.419 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.460 Amen. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.579 Amen. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.019 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:35.000 Thank you.