Offense of the Cross

The Gospels only mention it as the form of Death the Lord Jesus suffered.
It’s mentioned in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

Not mentioned in Acts as the apostle continued preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Not mentioned in James Peter, John or Jude nor Revelation.

Paul speaks about the Cross 11 times in 6 of his letters.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 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 is the power of God.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Galatians 6:12,14 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. … But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Lord Jesus Christ Part 4

In the book of HEBREWS 14 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Christ Jesus, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus,
8 times Paul calls him Jesus. Paul is writing to Jews who had believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Remember they had seen the man, Jesus. Paul was showing them this same Jesus was in fact God in Flesh.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

In conclusion… How should we, today, refer to his name? Look what the Apostle writes:
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
And as we have seen in Paul’s writings, he only refers to Jesus the man in Hebrews.

We don’t know the man, Jesus, we only know the God Jesus.
We should address him as:
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus

220 times as Deity, 20 as just Jesus, 1 as another

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Lord Jesus Christ Part 3

In the book of GALATIANS 16 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Lord Jesus.

In the book of EPHESIANS 20 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Christ Jesus our Lord, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ. Only once does he just say Jesus:
Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

In the book of PHILIPPIANS 21 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
Only once does he just say Jesus.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

In the book of COLOSSIANS 8 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus the Lord, Lord Jesus.
Once about another Jesus.
Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

In the book of 1 THESSALONIANS 15 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus: Lord Jesus. Three times just Jesus:
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

In the book of 2 THESSALONIANS 11 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus.

In the book of 1 TIMOTHY 13 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ our Lord, Christ Jesus our Lord, Christ Jesus.

In the book of 2 TIMOTHY 13 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus our Lord, Lord Jesus Christ.

In the book of TITUS 4 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ

In the book of PHILEMON 7 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus, Christ Jesus.

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Lord Jesus Christ Part 2

In the book of ROMANS 38 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ our Lord, Lord Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus,
Jesus our Lord. Only twice does he just say Jesus:
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

In the book of 1 CORINTHIANS 24 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ our Lord, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus, Christ Jesus our Lord. Only once does he just say Jesus:
1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

In the book of 2 CORINTHIANS 16 times Paul refers to the Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus, Christ Jesus the Lord
Three times he refers to Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
And once about another Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

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Jesus the Man

Why is this man different than all the millions of men who have ever lived?
Why is His name used in the praise or cursing that fall from the lips of men?
It is written that He was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He died a martyrs death.
Why? Because of His ideals? Because He wanted to change the establishment? Because He wanted to establish a new religion?
NO, these are not the reasons. They don’t satisfy answers to the further probing questions they stir up.
His life and death were not accidents, not mere chances of fate.
THE SCRIPTURE DECLARES:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
God sent forth His Son for a reason. The reason: to die for your sin and mine. Listen to the words of Christ concerning His Death:
John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh 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.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
The Scripture further states:
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
YES, Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
WHY? The answer lies in the Scripture:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin…
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THOUGHT: God is satisfied with the Cross as settling the sin problem … We should be satisfied with what satisfies God…

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Jesus of Nazareth

Why is this man so different from all the billions of men who have ever lived? Why is his name used in the praise and cursing that falls from the lips of men?
It stated he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a martyr’s death!
Why? Because of his ideals? Because he wanted to change the establishment? Because he wanted to establish a new religion?
No! These are not the reasons. They don’t satisfy answers to the further questions they stir up. His birth, life and death were not accidents, not mere chances of fate.
THE SCRIPTURE DECLARES:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
God sent forth his Son for a reason:
The reason! To die for our sin. Look what concerning his death,
John 10:17-18Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh 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.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Yes, Christ died for the Sin of the world.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thot: God is satisfied with the cross as settling the sin problem… and the world should be satisfied with that which satisfies God!

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Why Christ Came

Psalm 40:7-9 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
TO FULFILL THE WORD
Matthew 1:22-23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
TO GIVE LIFE
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
SAVE THE LOST
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
TO MINISTER AND DIE FOR ALL
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
HE CAME TO THE JEW BUT THEY REJECTED HIM
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
A LGHT FOR THE GENTILES
Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
TO RELEASE THE CAPTIVES (that were in Paradise)
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
TO TASTE DEATH FOR EVERYONE
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
TO DESTROY DEATH AND THE DEVIL’S POWER
Hebrews 2:14-16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
TO REVEAL GOD
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
TO REMOVE CONDEMNATION FROM ALL WHO WOULD BELIEVE
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
HE CAME ONCE SO HE COULD AGAIN TO RULE THE EARTH
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
THAT HE COULD BRING BELIEVERS TO GOD
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Did He fulfill His purpose for coming?
YES, certainly He did His work in FULL.
Has His purpose been fulfilled in your life?

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In Remembrance of Me

Luke 22:19 And he (Jesus) took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Do you remember when the birth of Jesus was? How the Angels announced his birth? How the shepherds came to the stable? How the wise men came to the house seeking the King?

Do you remember when Jesus was 12 years old? How he disappeared from his parents? How they later found him in the Temple? The look on their faces when he said, I must be about my Father’s business?

Do you remember How Jesus began His Ministry? How he came to John the Baptist? How he looked when the Holy Spirit descended? How he looked when he came out of 40 days in the wilderness?

Do you remember His first year of ministry? The miracles he performed?
The way he chose the 12 apostles?

Do you remember His second year of ministry? The miracles he performed?
How the people flocked to hear him preach with authority?

Do you remember His third year of ministry? How the people began to turn away because his teachings being TOO HARD? The raising of Lazarus?

Do you remember the last Supper? The solemn occasion it was? How he taught eternal truths? How he gave comforting truths about going to heaven? How he washed their feet?

Do you remember What happened in the Garden? The agonizing prayers he offered? The sweat as Blood? The guards coming in great number? Peter cutting off the ear? The angry look on their faces? JUDAS and the kiss?

Do you remember the trials he faced? How he faced the chief priest, Pilate, even King Herod? How he spoke not a word? The humiliation, the spiting, slapping, hitting, beatings?

Do you remember the crown of thorns? The purple Robe? The Mockery of the soldiers?

Do you remember Pilate trying to set him free, “I find no fault with this man”?

Do you remember how the crown reacted? “Away with him, Away with him, Crucify him, Crucify him”.

Do you remember Golgotha, the place of the skull? The cross on the ground, the THUD, THUD, THUD as the spikes were driven into his hands and feet?

Do you remember the agony on his face as the lifted the cross? The THUD as it dropped into place on top of Calvary?

Do you remember even then they could not leave him alone? They slandered, they cursed, they railed against him “If thou be the son of God, come down from the cross”! “If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him”!

Do you remember the two malefactors, thieves and how they cursed him.

Do you remember how, even as Jesus hung there in all his misery, agony and torments he said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”? And then to the repentant thief, “Today, thou shall be in paradise with me”.

Do you remember His last words as he gave up the ghost “It is Finished”?

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Jesus the Man Part 2

Over 2000 years ago a man appeared and made many claims about Himself, such as He was the Son of God. Here are some of the other claims He made:
John 6:35 … I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 8:12 … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:23 … Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:58 … Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 10:9 … I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:14 … I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 11:25 … I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 15:1 … I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

For a man to claim all these (and many more) about Himself, must fall into one of three categories: First – He’s a liar, Second – He’s a lunatic OR Third – He’s what he claims to be, THE SON OF GOD. If the First or Second be true, then we can ignore Him! BUT, if the third is true, then we owe Him our worship and love.

THOUGHT: If Christ is the WAY, why waste time traveling some other way!

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Jesus the Man Part 3

Just who was this man who walked about doing Miracles, healing the ill, making bold statements about God and Himself?
What place, if any, does He have in your life?
What place should He have in your life?
To evaluate this, Let’s read the testimony of a few that came into contact with Him:
John the Baptist … John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Nathaniel … John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
The Samaritans … John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
The Demons … Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Simon Peter … Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Martha (sister to Lazarus) … John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
A Centurion (Roman) … Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Thomas … John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

What think ye of Christ? Have you acknowledged Him as your Lord and Saviour?

THOUGHT: Christ isn’t valued at all, unless He is valued above all.

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