March 31, 2024
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Romans 6:4-11
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cross, easter
Of all the symbols that Christians might have chosen as an emblem of the faith, why the cross? The answer is that the cross points to Christ’s death as payment for our sins and the fact that the cross is empty points to Christ’s resurrection as the power that gives us new life in Him. The empty cross points to the empty tomb!
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he told them that it was being united with Christ in His death and resurrection that made it possible for them to live a new life. We can experience this new life in union with Christ’s death and resurrection.
March 29, 2024
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cross, crucifixion, Good Friday, jesus, last words, salvation
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) On this Good Friday let us meditate upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross: These seven last words are like seven diamonds on a necklace, each perfect in color, clarity and cut, but varying in caret. They hang
March 24, 2024
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Luke 23:32-46
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Christ, cross
Although Christ entered Jerusalem on a Sunday to adoring crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:9), Christ exited Jerusalem on a Friday to an angry crowd shaking their fists and yelling, “Crucify him!” The crowds in Jerusalem were divided in their response to Jesus. They had different views of Jesus and took different sides. The message of Christ and His cross still divides people today. It still calls people to choose sides.
You and I weren’t in Jerusalem when Jesus made his triumphal entry on Palm Sunday 2,000 years ago. Nor were we there when He was hung on a cross between two criminals. We may not have been there, but the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross calls all of us to answer: “Which side of the cross are you on?”
In the gospel according to Luke, he recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on the right side and one on the left side. They were both criminals facing death, both seeing and hearing how Jesus faced death. Yet they chose different views of the cross of Christ. They chose different sides. We are faced with the same choice. Which side of the cross will you choose?
March 18, 2024
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Colossians 1:19-22
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cross, jesus
Have you ever experienced a break in a relationship? A broken relationship is often one of the most painful things we ever experience. And reconciliation? Well, that might be one of the most difficult things to accomplish.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he explained that it was trusting in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross that reconciled them to God. We can trust in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross to reconcile us to God.
March 10, 2024
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1 Corinthians 1:17-25
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cross, exposition, jesus
Do you see the need for Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for your sins? Do you understand its significance? Do you believe that people are separated from God in this world, struggling with sin, addiction, and death without God’s intervention? Do you believe that people who die separated from God will spend eternity without Him in a place called Hell?
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, he explained why the message of the cross of Christ was crucial to their salvation.
April 7, 2023
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cross, crucifixion, jesus, last words, Passion Week
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) On this Good Friday let us meditate upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross: These seven last words are like seven diamonds on a necklace, each perfect in color, clarity and cut, but varying in caret. They hang
April 10, 2020
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cross, crucifixion, Good Friday, Holy Week, jesus, last words, Passion Week, seven last words
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) “It was most fitting that every word of our Lord upon the cross should be gathered up and preserved. As not a bone of him shall be broken, so not a word shall be lost. The Holy Spirit took special care that
March 24, 2017
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Bible study, cross, crucifixion, jesus, last words of jesus
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) “It was most fitting that every word of our Lord upon the cross should be gathered up and preserved. As not a bone of him shall be broken, so not a word shall be lost. The Holy Spirit took special care that
March 10, 2017
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cross, discipleship, mentoring, relationship
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:26-27 ESV). There are seven last sayings of Christ recorded in the four gospels. This year, we are