(33) And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified
Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. (34}
But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what
they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
{35} And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering
at Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ
of God, His Chosen One." {36} And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming
up to Him, offering Him sour wine, {37} and saying, "If You are the King
of the Jews, save Yourself!" {38} Now there was also an inscription above
Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (39) And one of the criminals who
were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ?
Save Yourself and us!" {40} But the other answered, and rebuking him said,
"Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
{41} "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our
deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." {42} And he was saying, "Jesus,
remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" {43} And He said to him, "Truly
I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." {44} And it was
now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the
ninth hour, {45} the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was
torn in two. {46} And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father,
INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." And having said this, He breathed His
last. {47} Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising
God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent."
Introduction
Everybody has a theology. All theologies need to be tested at the cross.
If a theological point does not hold true at the cross; it is not good
theology. I want to share several points of theology that are proven at
the cross.
Satan's oldest trick is to cause one to question the goodness
of God. Gen 3:5
5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (NAS)
Illustration:
Henry Blackaby's only daughter at 16 was diagnosed as having cancer,
Henry called the family together ands said we will pray and ask God to
heal her but whether He does or not has nothing to do with the goodness
of God. God is good, and we affirm that in this time of need. Today his
daughter is a journeyman missionary in Bosnia.
Application
It is Proven at the Cross God Is Good.
A. Some say Sin is not a reality.
1.
Christian Science Lady said " Sin is just mans struggle in an uphill
climb."
a. You know the Christian Scientist Religion is like Grape Nuts
Cereal. Grape Nuts is neither grapes nor nuts.
b. The Christian Scientist Religion is neither Christian
nor
Science.
B. On the Cross God is Punishing Sin.
1.
Sin is so much a reality God's Son pays the price.
Application
It is Proven at the Cross God Is Good.
Illustration
Mary loved Jesus and she would not have allowed Him to suffer if she
knew He was not the virgin born Son of God. She would have said come down,
but she could not. She knew better than all the crowd this is the virgin
born Son of God.
Application
It is Proven at the Cross - - Jesus is the Virgin Born Son of God.
A. Jesus would not have suffered the pain if
He were not the Sinless Son of
God.
Illustration
The study of logic reveals fallacies to correct thinking. My professor
in the University said you may have heard preachers hold up a Bible and
say "this is the Word of God, how do we know it is the Word of God? It
says it is the Word of God." Then he said " that is circular reasoning
and doesn't prove anything." I did not know how to answer then but I do
know.
If you find a yellow rock that looks like gold, how will you know for certain it is gold? You will let the gold tell you through a chemical evaluation. The gold will prove itself if it is indeed gold.
The scriptures will prove themselves to be the scriptures. I hold up the Bible and say this is the word of God because it says it is and has proven itself to be to Billions of people.
Application
Jesus proves on the cross He is the sinless Son of God.
A. The term "Good Works" always after salvation.
1. Check this out in your Bible concordance.
2. The term "Good works" always assumes salvation first.
Don't go to an employer and request a pay check if you have not been employed. Reward for works is a result of employment.
Mt. 7:23 ". . . I never knew you. . . "
Isa.64:6 "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"
1 Cor. 3:13 some works of a Christian are "wood, hay, stubble"
Illustration
In my college days I worked in the engineering office of a manufacturing
plant. I tried to witness to a man who believed in a works salvation. One
day I ask him what kind of works do you do? He told me in a very proud
way "I tend bar at the annual picnic."
Application
We laugh but any works we do with which we think will can our salvation
make God laugh.
A. Baptism portrays a burial.
You do not bury people to cause there death, but because they are dead.
You can be baptized in every river creek and stream until you know every tadpole by name and it won't save you..
Application
It is Proven at the Cross - - Baptism doesn't cause Salvation.
Illustration
Dr. Fred Fisher was one of my New Testament professors. On one occasion
he began a class by asking everyone to identify them self and tell something
about their family and future plans. One student who did not belong to
a Baptist Church said "I plan to someday write a Systematic theology."
Dr Fisher said "son you have an impossible task because you first must have a systematic theology." The Bible teaches belonging to a particular church does not cause salvation.
Illustration
Dr Ray Roberts was a pastor in Kentucky. While their he had a lady
from another church who would constantly try to upgrade her religion by
trying to down grade the Baptist Faith.
On one occasion she met Dr Roberts at the Post Office and ask Dr Roberts what roads he had taken to get to the Post Office. He told her and then she related how interesting we took different roads but ariled at the same destination.
To which she wanted to apply different roads lead to salvation. Dr Roberts said "there is one glaring error in you argument, and it is when I die I don't want to go to the Post Office.
Application
It Is Proven - Church Membership Does Not Cause Salvation.
Illustration
I was visiting a new Christian for a follow up visit he had a friend
with him and his friend asked "Why do you need God?" While I was preparing
to answer this new Christian said "because you cant clean up act by yourself."
I had never heard that answer in a theological class but I think it is an excellent answer.
Illustration
Humor: The organization of a medical Clinic as you enter you see these
signs over the doors.
Door 1 Medical - Psychological
Door 2 Surgery - Treatment
Door 3 Major - Minor
Door 4 In Patient - Out Patient
Door 5 Income Over 50, T - Income Under 50, t
He went into the door marked under 50.00 and wound up back out on street.
A friend asked did they help you? No but it's the most organized place
I have ever seen.
Application
It doesn't matter how organized or cleaned up you life is, it takes the cross to bring salvation.
It Is Proven - Church Membership Does Not Cause Salvation.
A. This is a peculiar death bed.
Jesus said to this man "Today you shall be with me". . . . Jesus
recognized his plea as a call for salvation. It was not worded as you are
I would tell someone to word their prayer but it got the desired results.
Illustration
On one occasion I led a lady to the Lord who had been in a terrible
car accident. She was in the hospital, and in the spinal cord injury section.
She was on an Oscillating bed and I could only talk to her as she ocellated
towards me. A very unusual soul winning opportunity. But she was saved.
Application
It Is Proven - There is a death bed Salvation.
Illustration
I had a history professor who asked me " you believe in an instantaneous
salvation don't you" at that time I did not know what he meant. So I asked
him to explain and then told him yes I do. He said "I do not believe anything
changes in an instant.
Then one day her came into class and related I guess you know the entire political scene change in a n instant last night as L. B. Johnson said ""I will not seek nor will I accept the nomination for the office of President."
I reminded him after class what he had said. I also told him I still believed in an instantaneous salvation.
Application
It Is Proven - There is an Instantaneous Salvation..
A. The thieves on the Cross were vile sinners.
Illustration
A Pastor in Ohio preached a sermon for the foulest sinner he had ever
met. The pastor's 9 year old son came forward and said "Dad you were sure
preaching to me. We all need to see our sin that way
Illustration
A little boy in England was found crying because he was lost. A policeman
took him to the station, and they gather around him trying to help him
locate his home. Some one mentioned the huge cross at West Minster Aby
and the boy said "if you take me to the cross I can find my own way home
from there.
Application
I have tried to take you to the Cross. You can find your way home from
there.
