040314PM WOTB-15 The Calvary Road

WTB-15

The Calvary Road

TITLE SLIDE: The Calvary Road

 

Tonight we follow the Road to Calvary. The journey that Jesus took from Pilate’s Palace, to the Pavement or Gabbatha in the Fortress of Antonio to Golgotha – was for the sin of the world. Jesus offered Himself there on that Cross as the Lamb of God.

 

There are many elements we could study tonight, each of them powerful. But just one is all we have time for this evening. We will stop and look at Jesus as the Lamb of God.

 

I come to the Cross

Seeking of mercy and grace

I come to the Cross

Where you died in my place;

Out of my weakness, and into your strength

Jesus I come, Jesus I come,

Jesus I come to the Cross

 

SLIDE: Mark 15.6-32

SLIDE: Map

SLIDE: Antonia v.6-20

SLIDE: Golgotha v. 21-25

SLIDE: Cross v. 26-32

 

Collapse at the cross, lift the hand of faith and receive the gift of grace and mercy.

 

SLIDE: Galatians 6.14

 

When Jesus bore the Roman Empire’s cross, it was a public testimony that He had subjected Himself to Rome’s rule.

 

So if we bear Christ’s Cross we must submit to Christ’s rule!

 

This means that my choices, lifestyles, and values are willing to be handed over to Christ’s control!

 

SLIDE: The Cross, the World, and me.

 

Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 BC. It was “perfected” by the Romans in the first century BC. It is arguably the most painful death ever invented by man and is where we get our term “excruciating.” It was reserved primarily for the most vicious of criminals.

 

SLIDE: Roadside Crucifixion

 

To the people of Jesus’ day the cross was a very concrete and vivid reality. It was the instrument of execution reserved for Rome’s worst enemies. It was a symbol of the torture and death that awaited those who dared raise a hand against Roman authority.

Only a few years before Jesus began His three year ministry, a zealot named Judas had gathered together a band of rebels to fight the Roman occupation forces. The insurrection was easily quelled, and in order to teach the Jews a lesson, the Roman general Varus ordered the crucifixion of over 2,000 Jews.

Their crosses lined the roads of Galilee from one end to the other. Crucifixions on a smaller scale were a common sight, and it has been estimated that perhaps some 30,000 occurred under Roman authority during the lifetime of Christ.

 

SLIDE: Christ’s Crucifixion

 

Thus, for a disciple of Christ to take up his cross means he is willing to start on a death march. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be willing, in His service, to suffer the indignities, the pain, and even the death of a condemned criminal.

 

SLIDE: How do I bear my Cross?

 

Mark 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

 

SLIDE: Roman Cross of olive tree

 

Jesus summoned the people and taught them what He taught His own disciples: there is a price to pay for true discipleship. Galatians 6.14 holds four key truths about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Let me list them:

 

  1. Galatians 6:14a But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must surrender ourselves completely to Him by renouncing self as the authority and focus of my life.
  2. Galatians 6:14b But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must identify with Him in suffering and death, living a life of sacrifice to the cross of Christ.
  3. Galatians 6:14c But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads in unquestioning allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ’s word and way.
  4. Galatians 6:14d But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must recognizing the true owner of my time, money, possessions and abilities, and if we live for ourselves, we will lose ourselves, but if we lose ourselves for His sake and the Gospel’s, we will find ourselves.

SLIDE: Surrender to Him

FIRST , JESUS LET ME UNDERSTAND YOUR CROSS WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS (LISTEN THEN SING #185)

 

Galatians 6:14a But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must surrender ourselves completely to Him by renouncing self as the authority and focus of my life.

 

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most—I sacrifice them to His blood.

 

See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small: Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

SLIDE: Identify with Him

SECONDLY, JESUS LET ME UNDERSTAND YOUR CROSS AS I REMEMBER YOU WERE WOUNDED FOR ME (LISTEN)

Galatians 6:14b But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must identify with Him in suffering and death, living a life of sacrifice to the cross of Christ.

 

  1. G. Ovens, 1870–1945 (verse 1); Gladys W. Roberts, 1888–? (verses 2-5)

 

Death by crucifixion was one of the worst forms of dying. No Roman citizen was ever crucified; this horrible death was reserved only for Rome’s enemies. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture and suffering. It was made of sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted among the sinews so that every time the lash came down upon a body, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful lacerations and literally tore off chunks of flesh from the person’s bones. This is what Christ endured in accomplishing our redemption. But the physical suffering was not the worst. Rather, the weight of human sin and the separation from God the Father because of His wrath against sin were the real causes of the Savior’s death.

 

Wounded for me, wounded for me, there on the cross He was wounded for me; gone my transgressions, and now I am free, all because Jesus was wounded for me.

 

Dying for me, dying for me, there on the cross He was dying for me; now in His death my redemption I see, all because Jesus was dying for me.

 

Risen for me, risen for me, up from the grave He has risen for me; now evermore from death’s sting I am free, all because Jesus has risen for me.

 

Living for me, living for me, up in the skies He is living for me; daily He’s pleading and praying for me, all because Jesus is living for me.

 

Coming for me, coming for me, one day to earth He is coming for me; then with what joy His dear face I shall see; O how I praise Him—He’s coming for me!

 

SLIDE: Follow Him

 

THIRD, JESUS LET ME UNDERSTAND YOUR CROSS AS I SURRENDER ALL (#366)

 

Galatians 6:14c But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads in unquestioning allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ’s word and way

 

Judson Van De Venter wrote this text after surrendering his many talents to his all-wise Savior:

 

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I free give; I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.

 

All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow; worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me, Jesus, take me now.

 

All to Jesus I surrender, make me, Savior, wholly Thine; let me feel the Holy Spirit—truly know that Thou art mine.

 

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; fill me with Thy love and power; let Thy blessings fall on me.

 

Chorus: I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

 

SLIDE: Give to Him

 

FOURTH, JESUS LET ME UNDERSTAND YOUR CROSS AS I LISTEN TO YOU SAY I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE (#453)

 

Galatians 6:14d But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must recognizing the true owner of my time, money, possessions and abilities, and if we live for ourselves, we will lose ourselves, but if we lose ourselves for His sake and the Gospel’s, we will find ourselves.

Frances Ridley Havergal published this testimony in 1873. Miss Havergal, known as the “consecration poet,” whose entire life was characterized by simple faith and spiritual saintliness. In spite of frail health, she lived an active life until her death at the age of 43.

 

I gave My life for thee; My precious blood I shed that thou might’st ransomed be and quickened form the dead; I gave, I gave My life for thee—what hast thou giv’n for Me?

 

I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell, of bitt’rest agony to rescue thee from hell; I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee—what hast thou borne for Me?

 

And I have brought to thee, down from My home above, salvation full and free, my pardon and My love; I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee—what hast thou brought to Me?

 

SLIDE: Crown Him

 

FINALLY, JESUS LET ME UNDERSTAND YOUR CROSS LEAD ME TO CALVARY (#176)

 

“Lead Me to Calvary” first appeared in New Songs of Praise and Power in 1921. These thoughtful words can deepen our spiritual lives.

 

King of my life I crown Thee now—Thine shall the glory be; lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary.

 

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, tenderly mourned and wept; angels in robes of light arrayed guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

 

Let me like Mary, thru the gloom, come with a gift to Thee; show to me now the empty tomb—lead me to Calvary.

May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for Thee; even Thy cup of grief to share—Thou hast borne all for me.

 

Chorus: Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.

 

SLIDE: How do I bear my Cross?

 

Mark 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

 

Jesus summoned the people and taught them what He taught His own disciples: there is a price to pay for true discipleship. Galatians 6.14 holds four key truths about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Let me list them:

 

  1. Galatians 6:14a But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must surrender ourselves completely to Him by renouncing self as the authority and focus of my life.
  2. Galatians 6:14b But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must identify with Him in suffering and death, living a life of sacrifice to the cross of Christ.
  3. Galatians 6:14c But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads in unquestioning allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ’s word and way.
  4. Galatians 6:14d But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We must recognizing the true owner of my time, money, possessions and abilities, and if we live for ourselves, we will lose ourselves, but if we lose ourselves for His sake and the Gospel’s, we will find ourselves.