Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Lessons and Sermons from the Longmire Road church of Christ in Conroe Texas USA
Good evening, everyone.
Great to be with you once again and to be able to share God's holy and righteous word.
I want to thank the uh elders for this opportunity and this privilege to do just that.
Tommy Brooks, who heads up the Phil the Pulpit ministry and who's preached here several
times, I've heard him say on a number of occasions: if he could preach one sermon, it
would be the cross.
Now he said that and rightfully so from what we see in Romans three verse twenty three for
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Ecclesiastes seven verse twenty for there is not one just man upon earth that doeth good
and sinneth not.
John said in first John one verse eight.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
You know, when we say or do anything against God, that's a sin.
That's a sin.
Even if we don't fully understand what offends God or don't realize our actions are wrong,
we're still acting in a way.
That offends God in a way that displeases God is still considered a sin, whether we
realize it or not.
You know, Jesus said, uh, he was talking about a couple of servants.
He was talking to Peter and the rest of the disciples, and he was talking about a couple
of servants in Luke 12, verse 47.
He says, And that servant which knew the Lord's will and prepared himself not.
Neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
And in verse forty-eight, but he knew, but he that knew not, and did commit things worthy
of stripes, shall be beaten with fewer stripes.
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required, and to whom men have
committed much, of him.
They will ask the more.
You know, we can find comfort, peace, and remembering if we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
First John one verse nine.
You know, Jesus said in Luke 15, verse 10.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth.
One sinner.
We've all sinned.
All of us.
Me, you.
That's why it's so important to make peace with God.
So we don't face that eternal death.
You know, we need to change our lives and transform our minds so that we can truly
understand what God's good, acceptable, and perfect will for our lives is.
Romans 12, verse 2.
You know, God made reconciliation possible through the death of his only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ.
Who was the perfect sacrifice?
Without Jesus' death on the cross, we would all be dead in our sins.
How could reconciliation be possible if he didn't go to that cross?
But in God's infinite love and mercy, he offered salvation through the propitiation,
sacrifice of his son.
Jesus Christ, so that we could escape that horrible, terrible death and be reconciled to
him.
Since Jesus was sinless, he was the perfect sacrifice.
He could pay, he could pay the atoning price for our sins.
He willingly took on the punishment we deserved.
Christ gave his life on the cross, enduring an agonizing death so that we could be saved.
Have you ever internalized that?
What he went through on the cross so we could be saved.
He took our place on that cross.
You know, when we think of the cross, you know, we think of, well, that's that's the place
where Jesus died.
But it also represents the spiritual death.
Cause of sin.
So instead of being about death, the cross is a symbol of redemption, of love.
Redemption that came through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This atonement was something that God had been planning all along, before the foundation
of the world.
Revelation thirteen verse eight.
All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book
of life of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.
Peter declares in first Peter one, verse eighteen.
Conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before
the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
Again, the new.
fulfilling the old.
You know, Peter said Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world.
You know, our Bibles are made in two parts Old Testament, the New Testament.
And sometimes we can get lost in the Old Testament because of all the long names and all
of the begets.
I certainly have.
But
We need remember that everything in the Old Testament points to the New Testament and
Jesus Christ, his life, his sacrifice, and his resurrection.
You know, someone once said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.
The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
In short, what was predicted or prophesied in the old was fulfilled in the new.
You know, Jesus said Luke twenty four, verse twenty five.
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
spoken, ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets.
He expounded unto them all the scriptures, the things concerning himself.
You know, Isaiah said Isaiah 53, to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground, he
hath no form, no comeliness.
And when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised, rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from him.
He was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Now let's look at verse ten.
Isaiah 53, 10.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him.
He hath put him to grief, when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.
He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall
prosper in his hand.
Again, the old, fulfilled in the new.
I said, Isaiah said it pleased the Lord to bruise him, his only begotten son.
You know, many have wondered throughout the years, throughout the ages, why the Roman
government chose crucifixion for Jesus.
Now, obviously there are other ways to kill a man, but
This represented
Cross represented the cruelest form of punishment.
It was slow, torturous, that inflicted unbearable pain and eventually death.
Yet Jesus went to that cross willingly, doing the will of the Father.
Jesus knew he was going to die, as referenced by Matthew 16, 20 and 21.
Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples how that he must go into
Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed
and be raised again.
the third day.
Our Lord, our Savior, knew what lay ahead.
He then
Went to Jerusalem and he would die there.
When Jesus went into the garden, he knew he would be betrayed by Judas.
John thirteen, verse twenty one.
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Verily,
verily, I say unto you that one of you shall betray me.
Jesus knew.
He knew, and yet he went willingly to do thy father's will on that cruel cross at Calvary.
Jesus said in John 10, verse 17, Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down my
life that I might take it again.
No man take it from me, but I lay it down of myself.
I have power to lay it down.
And I have power to take it again.
This commandment have I received of my Father.
Jesus had the power to lay down his life and take it again.
Yet he chose to do the Father's will.
Can you imagine the people traveling in and out of Jerusalem, traveling on those dusty
roads, looking at the crosses of the men who had met their fateful demise at the hands of
the Roman government?
They used this form.
Humiliate, to shame, to show people that the Roman government was in charge.
Their mantra was obey or else.
Go against us, and you will see by the number of crosses lining the road.
In a bit of irony.
Death on the cross.
Was so horrible that Roman citizens were rarely crucified.
It was reserved for slaves, barbarians, Christians, foreigners, insurrectionists.
You know, Paul said to the church at Corinth and 1 Corinthians 1, verse 17: For Christ
sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words.
Lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are
saved it's power of God.
I believe Ronnie Scherfus used those verses this morning and delineated on those.
You know, Christians today, we know.
the significance of that cross.
However, back in the day, quite a bit different.
You know, the person on the cross was a major figure to the political leaders who executed
him.
And subsequently he was subjected to humiliation.
You know, it looked like Jesus was, or seemed like Jesus was utterly powerless to those
witnessing the crucifixion.
They laughed at him, they mocked him, spit on him, they scourced him, and they looked upon
him as someone that was frail.
They only knew, if they only knew.
Mark fifteen, verse twenty nine through thirty one.
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads and saying, Ah, thou that
destroys the temple and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and come down from the
cross.
Likewise, also the chief priests, mocking, said among themselves with the scribes, He
saved others, himself and
He cannot save.
Well, to those religious leaders, the Roman rulers
Cross look like Jesus' death.
Pharisees thought, well, we finally got rid of this blasphemer.
But we know, we know, the story didn't end there.
For those
were there.
Must have been a horrible sight.
Horrible sight.
You know, God will use, or God's will, excuse me, God's will was done on that cross.
And for those who rejected him, his message, those who thought it was foolish, well,
there's another ending waiting for them.
One with eternal consequences.
For us Christians, we know death is not the end.
That's what Jesus said when standing at the grave of his friend Lazarus.
Jesus declares in John 11, verses 25 and 26.
I am the resurrection and the life.
He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
And whosoever liveth,
And believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
You know, the apostle Paul summarizes it this way Death has been swallowed up in victory.
First Corinthians fifteen, verse fifty-four.
What about those who disdain the cross?
Paul said the church at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 23 through 27.
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks
foolishness.
But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the
wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God
Is wiser than men.
And the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
And God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.
I believe Brother Ronnie Scherfus explained that quite well this morning in his lesson.
Now, do you see the paradox in these verses?
The wisdom and power of God.
Is found in our crucified Christ.
In death, there's new life because of what Jesus did and his work on that cross.
What we view as foolish, God views as wise.
When we view weak, God views as strong.
Powerful.
Notice what Jesus said in Matthew eleven, twenty five.
And at that time Jesus answered and said, thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent, and hast revealed them
unto babes.
you know, God's plan of salvation might seem strange to the world.
It's the only way to avoid eternal loss for those who don't change their ways, those who
are not transformed, see that the only way to eternal salvation and everlasting life is
through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eternal Son of God and a perfect Son of Man.
For those who don't believe in Jesus and have never experienced the delivering and
conquering power of the gospel, this message may seem foolish to them, but those who have
repented and have entered.
Into the covenant with Jesus Christ.
We know the delivering power of those mighty words.
It's no foolish to the redeemed, it's the life-saving power of God.
It may seem primitive or foolish to those who do not believe, but to those of us who are
saved, that is the power.
unto salvation.
For us it's clear.
There's salvation in no other.
No other.
Only one.
Notice what Peter said Acts four verses eight and nine.
Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said unto them, ye rulers of the people and elders
of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole.
Be it known unto you all, to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man
stand here before you hold.
This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become
Head or the corner, neither is there salvation in any other.
For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
You know, Peter didn't mention words.
I'd like to have been a fly on the wall day of Pentecost when he was letting them have it.
He didn't hold anything back.
You know, he told the rulers of the people and the elders of Israel, You crucified Jesus
of Nazareth.
Peter later tells him, there's none other name under heaven by which we can be saved.
Jesus Christ.
He's the only one.
What Jesus said in John 14 6, I am the way, the truth, and the light.
No man cometh unto the Father but by me.
You know, Jesus' death on that cross, that changed everything for Christians.
It gave us a path of salvation.
It gave us access to the Father.
No longer, no longer do we have to fear our physical death.
And that's a certainty.
That is a certainty.
We know that because of the works that Jesus did on that cross, we have that hope of
eternal life.
With the Father in heaven.
May we never forget the hope found in Christ.
And may we realize that every person you see in here is a person that Jesus gave his life
for.
This hope changed the world two thousand years ago, and it has not stopped since.
Jesus took on the sins of the world, and he died in our place, fulfilling his Father's
will.
Not only can we approach God, we can also approach Him without guilt, without shame,
because our sins
Have been cleansed because of Jesus up on that cross.
We no longer have to hide like Adam.
Genesis 3, verse 8.
But we can stand in God's presence because of the sacrifice of Jesus on that cross and his
cleansing blood.
You know, many of you have worshiped here for a long time.
Some of you may remember Peggy's aunt, Brooksy McGee.
Brooksie always carried something in her purse and she guarded it very carefully.
She guarded the purse very carefully as well.
But she had a small piece of paper written on it.
The title was A Cross in My Pocket.
If you will indulge me, I will read it to you.
I never knew.
I never knew this sweet soul who left us in twenty fifteen carried it.
But Peggy did.
I'll read it now.
I carry a cross in my pocket, a simple reminder to me of the fact that I am a Christian.
No matter where I may be, this little cross is not magic, nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn't meant
To protect me from every physical harm.
It's not for identification, for all the world to see.
It's simply an understanding between my Saviour and me.
When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out a coin or a key, the cross is there to remind
me of the price he paid for me.
It reminds me, too, to be thankful for my blessings day by day and strive to serve him
better in all that I do and say.
It's also a daily reminder.
of peace and comfort to share with all who know my master and give themselves to his care.
So I carry a cross in my pocket, reminding no one but me that cross, that Jesus Christ is
Lord of my life, if only I'll let him be.
Brooksy, I never knew.
I never knew.
Now, where is that little piece of paper today?
Well, you'll have to ask Peggy.
You'll have to ask Peggy.
You know, all of us have a choice in this life as to the path we'll take.
We can go the way of the world, the broad path, and perish in our sins.
Or we can take that narrow path that God has willed for our lives, the path of life.
You know, Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 9, verse 23, if any man will come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
You know, in the darkest moments of our life.
Or even when we face the everyday trials, tribulations, Jesus is there.
Just as he willingly took up his cross for us, we must take up our cross for him.
You know, Jesus said in Matthew 11, 28, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.
You shall find rest in your souls.
John said in John 6.37, or Jesus said in John 6.37.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no
wise cast out.
Heaven's invitation is extended to you tonight.
You can become a child of God by coming to Him in simple, trusting faith, believing that
Jesus is the Son of God.
Mark 16, 16.
Repenting of everything that's sinned in your life.
Acts 2 38.
Confessing his name before witnesses, Romans 10 9.
And being immersed in the waters of baptism for the remission of past sins.
1 Peter 3, verse 21.
And then remaining faithful in your walk.
You'll be added to the Lord's church.
Acts 2, verse 47.
Where you can walk in newness of life.
You know, Paul tells us.
In 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17.
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Old things are passed away.
Behold, all things are become new.
If you've never done that, I would urge you to do that this evening.
Before it's eternally too late.
Maybe you have put on Christ, but somewhere along the way.
You haven't lived your life.
For him.
Too much of the world has crept in.
You haven't lived the kind of life that he would have you to live.
And you need to come back home where brothers and sisters can pray for you, where you can
once again walk in the light.
You know, I don't know what's going on in your life, but if there are changes that need to
be made.
For Jesus to be the Lord, the master of your life.
We can help you make those changes.
Come, give us that opportunity as together we stand and as we sing.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
While I am