There are so many of us in this world that still live so broken and lost. Even as believers in the word of God for some reason we are unable to grasp and take hold of its mighty power! With this reading before you leave here tonight you will know why it is that you are allowed to rise each waking day. If we don't take up our cross and follow Jesus then we are not worthy of him. Jesus himself said we must lose our life for him. And by doing so, we in return will find it. (Matthew 10:38). Paul wrote in Corinthians that he was only sent to preach the gospel. Not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power ( 1 Corinthians 1:17). These days we live in a world obsessed with gaining millions of dollars, fancy cars, multiple sex partners, and every thing that comes with it. Basically we have gave our souls to gain the things of this world. In (Luke 9:25) scripture says what good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very soul. I've said many times that life has many choices, but eternity has only two. HEAVEN OR HELL! Which of the two will you choose??? Jesus was crucified for you. Therefore we are crucified with him. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. That can be found in (Galatians 2:20).
Even with all the pain, Jesus thought of others rather than Himself. His first words from the cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do". Even though He could have threatened to punish them eternally when they faced Him in judgement, he did not do so. He thought of His mother, who stood by the cross weeping, and asked his beloved friend John to take care of her. On either side of Him there were two thieves crucified with Him. When one of them expressed faith in Jesus, the Savior answered, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise". As the terrible afternoon wore on and His pain increased he finally moaned, "I thirst", and was offered vinegar, which He would not drink. God blotted out the sun as if to let us know how black the deed which was being done, and out of that blackness Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?". His final words expressed his complete surrender to the will of God as He said, "It is finished; Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit". He then bowed His head and died. His death was for you and I. the blood of his body was poured out so the blood of our body can flow within There are three key things that bring to light the power of the cross.
1) THE CROSS: The Canceled Curse.
The Cross was where God took away our curse so that he could give us his blessings. All of our sin- everything bad that we were, came upon Jesus on the Cross. Everything good that Jesus was, was passed on to us through faith in him.
2) THE CROWN OF THORNS: Freedom from Ruin and Oppression.
When Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from paradise, God told them, " Cursed is the ground because of you.. It will produce thorns and thistles for you" (Genesis 3:17-18) Thorns and thistles represent ruin. Jesus took upon his head the terrible oppression that whipped and beaten and oppressed mankind for so long!!
3) THE WHIPPING OF HIS BACK: Our Healing.
All disease, all pain, no matter how great or how serious it may be, was canceled upon the back of Jesus when he was whipped and scourged. The prophet Isaiah in regards to Jesus' crucifixion said this " AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED!" ( Isaiah 53:5)
Along with those three key facts are the three nails and the spear. But first I want to say, Not one man nor woman will ever be able to live up to the standard of the man known as Jesus! Everything he did was a direct representation of his love for each one of us. So if you are guilty of saying God doesn't love me or God isn't there for me when I need him. Or maybe you blame God for the way your life turned out. Just remember this, there is no love or no blessing to you that can ever be greater than that of which Christ Jesus displayed on that cross!!!
The nails: Our Freedom.
After Jesus was stripped of his clothes he was hung on a tree (the cross). A nail was hammered into each hand and then the last one into both his feet. This is what each one represents:
Nail 1: FREEDOM FROM GUILT.
All the guilt that was upon your life, which would have taken you to eternal condemnation, was erased at the cross of Calvary. There is no longer any need for you to feel guilty; with the first nail, Jesus took away the curse of guilt.
Nail 2: CANCELED ACCUSATIONS AND ARGUMENTS .
This means that every argument Satan had against your life has been canceled. Now, what is an argument? It is the legal right that you give to the adversary. How do curses come about? They are inherited from one's own family and words spoken by parents. Words that leave a mark on their children's lives. The good news is that Jesus took all of the curses upon the Cross; the blood of Jesus has annulled the decrees against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it all away, nailing it to the cross.(Colossians 2:14).
Nail 3: VICTORY OVER OPPRESSION.
This nail was hammered into the part of the heel under the ankle. Scientist discovered this was the area where they would hammer a long nail into the person being crucified and it would go through both feet. In order to breathe, Jesus had to put his weight on this nail and get on his toes so that he could inhale, because his chest was extremely compressed. Because the effort always caused a sharper, more intense pain to the tendon of the leg, simple breathing was agonizing for him. But, his suffering provided total victory for us and we no longer have to live under oppression.
THE SPEAR: INNER HEALING.
After Jesus gave up the spirit, a soldier pierced his side with a spear and water and blood poured forth. His heart was swollen and damaged itself. Jesus suffered such agony on the cross that his sensitive heart exploded. You might say at times that my heart is broken or my soul is shattered into pieces, but today Jesus tells you, " My son, my heart exploded so that yours can be healed and your emotions restored."
All the punishment that we deserve as sinners fell upon that man called Jesus! A man that had committed no sin. And all the good Jesus should have received then came upon us. Simply for believing in him. When God looks at us, he looks at us through Jesus; and when we desire to communicate with the father, we should do it through Jesus!
In conclusion starting today, you must do the following.
* Give Jesus your weakness so he can take them upon himself. Receive his strength in your life.
* Give up your sins through repentance, which is the doorway to his blessings. Receive his salvation.
*Give up all sickness. And receive his health.
*Give up all your lack, and receive his provision.
*Give up all anguish , and receive his perfect peace.
*Surrender your whole will. Receive the guidance of the Holy spirit.
*Give up your human knowledge. Receive his divine wisdom.
If you trust completely in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ then you can say as Paul the apostle " I can do all things through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)
If you have not yet made Jesus your Lord and savior, or feel the need to re accept Christ in your Life then say this prayer aloud with me, and make right everything you have made wrong. Jesus will not force you to love him. Its your free will to choose him over your self and the enemy. So lift your hands to the Lord and pray.
JESUS, I ACKNOWLEGDE THAT I AM A SINNER. I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, I THANK YOU FOR THE PRECIOUS BLOOD YOU SHED ON THE CROSS. LORD I THANK YOU FOR DYING FOR ME, THE SINNER THAT I AM. IM SORRY JESUS FOR THE DEEDS WHICH I HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST YOU. FATHER FROM THIS DAY, I REPENT AND TURN AWAY FROM MY SINS. HAVE MERCY ONME, CLEANSES ME, AND FORGIVE ME AS I ALSO FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE EVER SINNED AGAINST ME. FATHER TODAY I CHOOSE YOU. FATHER TODAY I CHOOSE YOUR ETERNAL KINGDOM IN HEAVEN. IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME I PRAY
POWER OF THE CROSS...
