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When Christ Carried His Cross | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Good Friday Service) · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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They led him away. They seized one Simon of Cyrene
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who was coming in from the country and laid on him.
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The cross to carry it behind Jesus and there followed him, a
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great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning
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and lamenting for him. But turning to them, Jesus said,
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Daughters of Jerusalem. Do not weep for me, but weep for
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yourselves and for your children for behold.
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The days are coming, when they will say, blessed are the
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barren. Barren and the wombs that never
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bore, and the breasts that never nursed, then they will begin to
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say to the mountains fall on us and to the hills, cover us for.
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If they do these things, when the wood is green, what will
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happen when it is dry. This is not a very familiar
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passage for Good Friday but it is an important one.
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Nonetheless and there are so much in these verses.
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You can imagine that we can take just a portion and choose to
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just meditate on that alone for the rest of the evening.
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But let's consider just a few thoughts here.
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Look at the first few words of verse 26, and as they led him
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away and as they led him away, a short phrase that can be easily
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overlooked, but it should not be overlooked because it is filled
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with glorious. Implications, if you've ever
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studied Christ, if you ever seen him in the gospels, then you
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will know something about him. Yes, he was truly man, but he
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was, in fact, God In the Flesh and God In the Flesh, being that
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he was, was in complete control of Re single circumstance that
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he found himself in. Consider the many times that
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these crowds have gathered around him prepared to seize him
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and to arrest him, or to even kill him yet.
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Every single time he seems to effortlessly escape.
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He seems to just walk through the crowds because we are told
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that it was not yet, the time, the time that we are meditating
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and reflecting on tonight. And so there was never a moment
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where someone could grab him by the collar, grab him by the
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arms, even those that were sent to Arrest them at a certain
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point where spelled Bound by his ability, to communicate truth,
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with such Authority that they came back to the Pharisees
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empty-handed. He said that no one can take my
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life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.
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It's my own authority that enables when I and given it to
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the hands of men. Or consider even how nature.
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The terrifying wins in the Raging Waters that have made
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professional, fisherman petrified.
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And there is Christ resting undisturbed.
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And with just a few words that see in those winds obeyed him
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and submitted to his authority. And what about the creatures of
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another world? Namely demons who took power
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over minds and bodies. And yet when Christ would appear
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on the scene, of those people who are possessed those demons
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squealed just because of his presence, and considering all of
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those things, the great Authority that Christ had that
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he could have commanded by one word, a legion of angels to come
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and to sweep him away. We read here in verse 26, that
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he was led astray by a few Roman soldiers.
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But he was at the mercy of these men.
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And we look at this and we almost get a sense of a Samson
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like figure do we not to the undiscerning mind.
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Maybe that I Sampson at one point was supernaturally,
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empowered Unstoppable. And movable.
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But at one point at his lowest point, he was subject to the
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humiliation and the abuse of his enemies.
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He says, what's happening here with Christ, the one that we saw
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operating in such ability, now now so weak.
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And now, so submissive. Two evil men.
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To think that crisis in voluntarily being led by these
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men as a grave mistake. You and I have to understand
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that in the short phrase, we see a fulfillment of a specific
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prophecy that was given to us by the prophet, Isaiah hundreds of
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years before Christ, even stepped foot on the Earth.
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What do we read in Isaiah 53:7? You do not have to turn there
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but here's a portion of it like a lamb that is led to the
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slaughter. Like a land that is slat led to
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a Slaughter. And like a sheep that before,
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it's Shearer's is silent. So he opened not his mouth. when
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he is being led by these men, it is not weakness.
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It is meekness. This is Christ without
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resistance and with an unusually calm Spirit willingly, giving
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himself to the direction of those who are leading him to his
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own death. Let there be no confusion about
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it. When we are told that Christ was
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being led away, it does not imply that the Romans were
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flexing, their might nor does it say that the Pharisees finally
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had their way, what you see here is Christ magnified in his
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meekness. Putting aside his power and his
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authority and his patiently, accepting his suffering.
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On your behalf in mind. We go on as we meditate.
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We are interrupted by someone that we've never been introduced
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to before this moment except the Matthew.
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And Mark has mentioned after we are told that he was being led
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away. They seized one Simon of Cyrene.
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Who was coming in from the country and then laid on him the
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cross. Who is Simon of Cyrene and why
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does it matter, what does this have to do with anything?
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Well, Simon from Cyrene which is modern day, Libya is probably a
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proselyte gentile. Or Jew is placed somewhere else
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and was here in Jerusalem to observe the feast.
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And what he might have thought would have been another
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predictable. Pilgrimage to the holy city,
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which suddenly be interrupted by an event, I would surely Mark
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him for the rest of his life and perhaps we can speculate change
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the lives of those that were closest to him.
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What do I mean by that? Well, Mark gives us an
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additional detail about Simon of Cyrene.
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Mark tells us in 15 chapter 21 and they compel the passerby
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Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country.
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Now, look at this Mark says, by the spirit the father of
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Alexander and Rufus to carry his cross.
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Luke omits that Mark includes it.
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Okay? Simon of Cyrene is one thing,
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but why do we need to know that? He was the father of these.
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Two men, Alexander and Rufus. Again, what's the purpose is
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there a purpose? unless of course, Mark, when he
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wrote this, yes, Guided by the spirit expected that his
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immediate audience would have known who Alexander and Rufus
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were And that is a great possibility.
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Because there's only one other place where the named Rufus is
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mentioned. And it's actually in the
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writings of Paul when he addresses certain people in
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Romans chapter 16 and many people believe that the Rufus
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Paul addresses is the same Rufus that Mark mentions.
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Romans 16:13 Paul says greet Rufus.
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Chosen in the Lord. Also, his mother who's been a
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mother to me, as well. Consider this now has Marcus
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pending this letter as he is retelling.
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The story of Christ on the road to Calvary.
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He says that man Simon. He's actually the father of
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Alexander and Rufus and the immediate audience supposed to
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know really that was your dad. That's that was Alexander.
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Rufus is Father who carry the end of the cross. and if it's
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the same roof is that Paul is writing to who was chosen the
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Lord and whose mother was a mother to him as well then, you
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know what this means when we put the pieces together, That at
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some point after Simon from Libya help, carry that cross.
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He understood the implications of that cross.
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He came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ himself and he
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led his own family to that saving truth.
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It's an amazing thought is a knot.
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We may not know how Simon process this or how he even was
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able to communicate it, but we have strong evidence to know
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where it all began for this man. He was minding his own business
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walking out of the country passing by a crowd that was
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observing just probably another criminal that was receiving
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their due punishment. And by God's Providence was
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snatched by soldiers and was told to carry the end of a cross
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to help this random man. That was probably credible in
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his own mind. At first at least and as unaware
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of Simon might have been in those first few moments as
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unawares, he might have been as he was trying to lighten the
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load of this man who is dripping blood in his flesh, was hanging
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off of his back. You and I are believers.
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Are we not and we understand that that this sounds very
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familiar to a teaching that Christ himself gave early on in
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the same gospel in the Gospel of Luke, do you not know it?
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You should know it because you would have responded to it if
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you're truly born again, if anyone would come after me, Let
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him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
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Simon of Cyrene. I argue.
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Tonight is illustrating. What discipleship looks like?
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Simon of Cyrene. Here is showing us a very
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literal example of what it means to follow Jesus. and I would
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like to say that saying, yes, to the Cross is never convenient to
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the flesh, just like Simon He had plans, he had a schedule, he
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had relatives to meet and all for a sudden, the cross bid him
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to come. Yes.
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It was through the mouths of soldiers but still the picture
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is there and you have to understand something about
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following Jesus Christ. There is a cost.
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There is a price. Christ is not waiting for you
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and your own terms to accept them when you hear the call, as
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you will tonight. And if you are not saved, that
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is your call and it Demands a response, it demands submission.
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because, as much as this was inconvenient in the moment, I'm
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sure Simon later on, thank God that he was called to carry that
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cross. And as much as you might hear
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the price of what it means to make Jesus Christ, as Lord, as
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much as Satan, would lie to you, that you have to give up so much
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in this life in order to make Christ, your lord and savior
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realize that there is a joy. In it, there's a joy awaiting
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you that is incomparable to whatever this world has to offer
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you. There's a cost and following
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Christ. There's a cross with your name
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on it and as costly as it might be, there is a greater cost than
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saying no than accepting it and embracing it.
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We always talk about the cost of following Jesus, we rarely talk
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about the cost of not following Jesus.
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There is a cost of not following him.
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But again, it makes you wonder doesn't not what was it?
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That triggered Simon. What was that?
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Struck him, did he communicate with Jesus while helping him for
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a few steps for that little journey.
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There's no evidence of that. But perhaps, it was what Jesus
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said to a group of woman, along that path.
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That did something at least opened up a curiosity.
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Just like when Jesus was hanging on that cross and had seven
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sayings and one of the melted, the Of a thief who was being
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crucified beside him. because Christ suffered, unlike anybody
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else suffered there was a Majesty about it, there is a
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sovereignty about it, there is a control, there was a display of
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love and forgiveness that caused even a Roman soldier to be
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confessional. There's something So Glorious
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about it and not just him hanging there, even on his way
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there, and we read it. In verse 28, but turning to
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them, Jesus said, Daughters of Jerusalem.
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Can you imagine the site for a moment?
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Think about it. Here is Christ, exhausted.
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Way down by a cross. Perhaps, blinded by Blood.
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Beaten and bruised. And there he is.
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Surrounded by a crowd and there is a blend of cries and
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ridicules crashing over him and all for sudden.
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He turns his attention to a group of wailing woman and he
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addresses them. He speaks to him.
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And he says something to them of this effect.
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Don't weep for me. Do not weep for me, but weep for
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yourselves and for your children.
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What does this say of Christ? Many things consider this
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thought. First you see a Christ who is
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deeply concerned for man? Even in his own suffering.
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All of this attention was on him.
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Christ attention was on a group of women who are visibly
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Disturbed and shaken. They caught his attention.
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And his compassion is not recognizing the fact that he is
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trying to relieve them of this grief.
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That they are showing though, he has done that many times
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throughout his ministry. His concern here is seen in the
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fact that he is He is deeply aware of their fate.
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And he wants them to be prepared for it.
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He tells him do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for
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your children. Why?
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Because in those eyes he saw the prophetic implications of what
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was occurring in that moment. They were rejecting his Messiah
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and therefore, God was going to reject them as a people.
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And they were be judgment in 70 AD world history.
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Testifies about it by the hands of the Romans who would bring
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Jerusalem to destruction and Slaughter?
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Hundreds of thousands of Jews. in Christ, here is aware of that
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and he tells them weep Weep for that.
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When I find so amazing here is that Christ?
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Although if we were in his shoes we would be consumed with the
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thought of her own death, and trying to manage the pain
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shooting through our own bodies. Here is not just focus on what
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comes before him but is concerned of what lays ahead of
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these women. And the nation as a whole.
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And some would say, well, this is not really Christ compassion.
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This is a rebuke. This is Christ looking at them
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and pronouncing judgment on them.
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Yes, it is true, but don't forget that, just a few days
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before this Christ himself wept over Jerusalem for the same
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reason. This is a Christ who even in his
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suffering led to a Slaughter is thinking about the plight of
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others. Is, is there any other greater
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display of compassion? Then someone who is undergoing
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such torture can still think and communicate, his concern.
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For those who experience greater suffering, you see it throughout
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his ministry. You see it on the road to
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Calvary, you see it while he's nailed to, that piece of wood,
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even down to the details of securing Mary's future.
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By signing that responsibility of care to one of his disciples.
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This is the humility of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Servant lover of Souls. Compassionate savior.
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And so the Lord here is not asking for these women to weep
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tears of sadness. But tears of repentance, be
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broken for what's coming your way, realize that this is going
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to affect you and this is not just about me.
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Which brings us to our second Point.
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Why would cry? Say Do not weep for me, but weep
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for yourselves and for your children because Christ is not
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interested in receiving tears of sympathy.
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Christ here. Does not want the pity of these
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woman, and he did not feel sorry for himself either.
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What does that teach us about Christ?
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You know what that teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ.
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He was not weak. But he's a strong savior.
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We have to be careful of how we observe this night once a year
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because we can be mistaken and thinking that we come here,
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dressed in dark clothes Songbird, sober because we're
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realizing what Christ had to endure and we feel pity.
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And then Sunday, we come with brighter clothes.
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And we come rejoicing and it's lighter, and it's bright,
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because ho, he made it, he made it.
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He actually resurrected Christ was a Victor throughout at all.
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Christ, was a conqueror through out at all.
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This is not a Christ that was just LED out of his own, will
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beaten and bruised, mocked and spat upon and then he pulled a
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trick on everybody. And he showed up, he is in
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control here. All along.
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Don't weep for me, we serve a mighty king and a mighty savior,
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who came into this world for this very purpose, throughout
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his ministry. There have been so many attempts
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to try to convince Christ to sway from the cross.
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To not go to that cross. Think about Satan who offered
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him the world. think about the Jews who were so impressed by
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his miraculous abilities that they wanted to Crown Him King
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there, think about one of his good friends, Peter he tried to
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rebuke him. And persuade him to not take
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that path. And every single time he
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overcame. Christ was not moved by
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Temptation. He was not moved by persuasion.
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And he was not softened by sympathy.
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He's a rock. And although Christ was walking
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the walk that none of us could have walked in, he died a death
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and none of us could even imagine dying.
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The Holy Spirit takes the attitude of the Lord Jesus
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Christ. and through the writings of the author of Hebrews
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applies, that same attitude to you and I what I mean, Did he
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not say looking to Jesus, the founder Perfecter of our faith,
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who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross
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despising, the shame, and is seated.
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At the right hand of God. Looking to Jesus, you know what
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that tells me? The Lord.
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Jesus did not allow pity or self-pity.
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To disturb his total, trust in God's Sovereign plan for him
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while on the Earth. He didn't question God.
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He didn't challenge God, he didn't allow other people's
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interpretation of what was happening in his life and in
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this moment to cause him to doubt.
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His face was like, Flint. He was so focused.
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He was so Reliant. He was so strong and the
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understanding that my father is accomplishing.
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His will through this. And I will not throw it away.
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For Temptation, for he's or because of sympathy and you and
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I are called to imitate that kind of suffering.
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You and I are called to not be shaken by the seductions or the
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sympathies that others might have for us.
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But to be like our master, Immovable unshaken.
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Undisturbed steadfast in our trust that our God is good.
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He's in control. He's in control here.
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So he tells them do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and
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for your children and he grows on to describe the horrors of
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the Judgment that will come upon them for the rejection of the
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Messiah. He says here that the days are
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coming when they will say, blessed are the barren and the
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wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed to be
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Barren. And this culture was almost seen
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as a curse and he's saying it's it's a better thing to not have
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children during this time and if you were nursing children for
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yourself, And it goes on. To describe the tragedies that
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are wait, this people, and it seems very strange does it.
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Not that as Christ is on his way to absorb the wrath of God on
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our behalf. He is communicating the wrath of
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God. He is prophesying the Judgment
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of God. What is this have to do with the
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gospel? What does this have to do with
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these events? It has everything to do with it.
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because although this was fulfilled in 70 AD, although
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Jesus in the immediate sense of speaking to the Jewish people
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It's just a preview of the judgment to come.
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Is just a glimpse of what's going to happen on a global
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scale. In other words, What the Jews
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will expect because of the rejection of Christ is what
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every single person should expect.
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If they choose to reject the crucified Messiah.
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You see, Jesus died on the cross for the Forgiveness of our sins.
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But that forgiveness is only applied to those who receive
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him. We don't believe in a universal
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salvation. Meaning, we don't believe that
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everybody will be saved one day just because God is so loving
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that whether you believe and repent or not, you're going to
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go to heaven. That is a damning truth That is
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a Lie from the pit of Hell itself.
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If you reject Christ as Savior and Lord, the only thing
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reserved for you is the wrath of God.
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The wrath of Jerusalem experience in 70 AD was simply a
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glimpse of the micro or the microcosm of the macrocosm of
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the final judgment. That come upon the world in
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Revelation 6. The the language is borrowed as
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the kings of the earth and the rich and those who are powerful
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Great and Small will realize the return of Christ and they
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themselves will beg the mountains to fall upon them.
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So even John is borrowing the same language to say.
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This is going to be magnified in the final judgment.
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When Christ comes to redeem the bride, but also confront, those
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who sat in churches year after year.
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Who come to Good Friday services, just to pay their dues
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to Christ or to make Mom and Dad happy, but ultimately have not
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made Christ. Lord Christ will come and he
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will face those who have heard the gospel once or a thousand
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times and have rejected it to say.
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You had your chance. One person said it, so wisely.
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What you will do with Jesus, first coming will determine what
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Jesus will do with you at his second coming.
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Well, you will do with Jesus concerning his first coming will
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determine what Jesus will do with you at his second coming.
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And the certainty in the severity of God's Divine.
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Judgment is hinted at by brief Parable that Jesus gives in
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verse 31 for if they do these things.
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When the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
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What is he trying to say here? Christ Compares himself to a
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flourishing fragrant and fruitful green wood.
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And he is contrasted to the Jewish people who are recognized
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as a withered dead, fruitless people, colorless.
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And the reason why he's communicating this sobering
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truth is to say if Christ as the sinless, Son of God, is being
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treated. So cruelly, how much more Will
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the Wicked unbelieving? Rebellious Jewish Nation
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experienced suffering? But remember there's a broader
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application here, so we're not just speaking about a people
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group for all who reject the saving work of Jesus Christ,
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we'll know, we'll know something of of Wrath and the great
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commentator. Matthew Henry said it this way
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as only he could, If God did this to the son of his love.
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When he found sin, but imputed to him, what shall he do to the
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generation of his wrath when he finds sin raining in them?
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if God was so willing to pour out his Justice upon, The one
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who was sinless, though he took sin upon him.
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What is he going to do? To those who have loved and
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embraced their sin within them. When they heard the call repent
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and believe. Judgment Came Upon the innocent
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one. Will it not come towards those
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who are guilty? We have to ReDiscover the
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Holiness of God. We have to ReDiscover just how
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pure he is. That even the one that he had
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Eternal fellowship with even the one that was at his bosom.
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He looked at for a moment. And turned his face away, when
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the sin of the world was placed on his shoulder.
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If he was willing to do that to the son of his love.
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What will you do with the children of Wrath?
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It'd be a terrifying thing to end the service in this way.
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Would it not? Rightfully so.
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It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the Living
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God. But we can evade this rat.
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And we can escape it and that is the good news.
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Because as much as Jesus prophesied judgment towards
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Jerusalem for the rejection while he was on his way to pay
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the price so that we would never no judgment.
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Oh, he would pay a price that would be so great and so
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satisfying and so sufficient. The Not only would he just here
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on a few words on a page, tell us.
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So, but the spirit of God himself will bear witness with
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our spirit that we are indeed children of God and the
28:16
understanding of the love of God can be so real in your soul.
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So Supernatural that you can live the rest of your days.
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Never fearing God's judgment. That you can stand before God as
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you will one day. And as will I with total
28:31
confidence a boldness? Almost all Readiness, actually,
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with a joy, Because what Christ is about to do on this cross is
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be the substitute for sinners. And he would drink that cup
28:45
filled with the wrath of God. Can you imagine it?
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So, if we just look in this room already, think about the amount
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of sins that accumulated, just with our own lives, our
28:56
thoughts, our Deeds private-public imagine all of
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our sins in this room heaped upon Christ.
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How great of judgment would be placed upon him.
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And yet it is greater than this room from Adam to the last man.
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Every single human being sin. Was taken into account and was
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brought upon Christ and placed on his head so to speak.
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And he became the target of God's Wrath and the flood.
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The flood gate, that was reserved to be poured out upon
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the sons of Adam for all of eternity was redirected upon
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Calvary. And Christ in that moment
29:40
though, it was. But a few hours experience,
29:42
something that is a mystery. And he drank every single drop
29:48
of God's justice. In such a way that he could
29:53
confidently, take that cup and flip it.
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Upside down with, not one drop left in it.
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And as he drinks that cup and as he drank that cup he extends to
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you the cup of Fellowship. And he invites you to come. and
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to be forgiven, and to be washed And to take into your account,
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his innocence and his Holiness, though you are undeserving and
30:20
unworthy, that is The Great Exchange.
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And so, we do not have to weep for ourselves. when we realize
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that truth, we have every reason to rejoice And so as much as
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this is a sobering night, it is a joyful night and if there is
30:38
any weeping that we will do if there's any heaviness in our
30:41
hearts, it's not so that we look at Jesus say oh poor Jesus,
30:45
2,000 years ago he was such a good man and yet they treat him
30:48
that way. If there's any sorrow it's what
30:50
our sins did to him. It's it's how unimaginable it
30:58
is. That God came into this world
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and walk this walk on your behalf in mine.
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And went to that cross. For you and me.
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That's why we're going to break bread and moment.
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A visual representation of what Christ has done.
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God is so wise, he instituted an ordinance that would engage our
31:23
tastes So that there would be a an experiential understanding of
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the goodness of God. But this ordinance is not open
31:34
to the public. It is kept for those who have
31:37
understood what Christ has done. And I've received him and have
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repented and believed So if that is you today, you will
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participate. If that is not you today.
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If you are a guest here, welcome, if you are one of those
31:50
Christians, that come for Easter and Christmas only.
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I have a message for you. A message that is very, very
32:00
mysterious and it's a terrifying thing to preach the gospel.
32:04
Not because you have to stand before people and speak.
32:09
But because you were trying to communicate something, that is
32:12
almost unexplainable. It is so simple, a child can
32:15
understand. It is so it is so easy that
32:20
anybody can understand and believe.
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But there is an, there is an element to it, that it, that is
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so glorious. That the human tongue, the human
32:30
mind cannot fully grasp all happen on that day.
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But I'll do my best and say to you.
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That if you do not know Christ in love, I say this to you
32:43
because I may never see you again. no matter how good your
32:46
life may seem to the Natural understanding upon you is
32:50
reserved the wrath of God, you have sinned against God and you
32:54
know, your conscience Bears Witness Your conscience Bears,
32:59
witness. And that's why you're trying to
33:01
dismiss this concept of God altogether.
33:03
Because you do not want to even entertain the possibility that
33:07
you will be held accountable for your lack of morality.
33:12
Why I've never killed anybody. And I've never, I've never
33:14
robbed the bank. You are measuring goodness by
33:17
men's standards. God's holiness exceeds.
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All the morality that man can conjure up.
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He is so pure and Brilliant. He is so light.
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He is so holy. That all it takes is a thought
33:35
of hatred to be considered as murder in his sight.
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All it takes is one imagination of sexual morality and as though
33:44
you have done the act itself. You stand condemned.
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You stand condemned. I know this world wants to
33:55
pamper you. I know this world wants to tell
33:57
you what you want to hear. I know this world hates you so
34:00
much that it wants to tell you that you even have the right to
34:02
skew your own reality. But I love you too much.
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I will tell you the truth, even if it hurts.
34:14
You will stand before God? And you will remember this
34:18
message among many other messages.
34:20
I'm sure. When he cast you on for
34:23
eternity. But this God, who is so?
34:28
Holy is just as much love. If his Holiness blazes with so
34:34
much power, I tell you. His love is so overwhelming.
34:39
So overwhelming that God comes into the stinking, filthy world.
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Leaves Glory leaves heavenly's, Praises leaves Angelic beings,
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who, so Revere him that they don't even dare to show their
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face in his presence. To walk among men.
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Who questioned him? Who doubt him?
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Who betray him? And who spat upon him and beat
35:04
him and mocked him. And he said they're silent as a
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lamb being sheared, ready to be slaughtered.
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All to do one. Well, you heard it.
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There was a joy set before him that Joy.
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Yes. Was to obey the father's will
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but there was a joy beside that joy and that was the knowledge
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that people would be saved. That you might be saved.
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And that you would no fellowship with him.
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You see it's not that God just wants to give you insurance to
35:40
escape. Hell, is that God so long for
35:43
you yearns for you desires, he wants to fellowship with you.
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Want you to be with him forever and ever but it is your sin that
35:50
is separating you from him. And you would think that man,
35:55
knowing that we try to build a bridge to God.
35:57
It's impossible. And so he builds a bridge to
36:00
you. What is it required for you?
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To know his friendship, his smile, eternal life, New Life,
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repent and believe. Turn from your sin.
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What good is it Anyway in your life?
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It's only destroyed you it's only left you unsatisfied and
36:19
it's only heaping up more judgment.
36:22
And embrace not just eternal life Embrace Life.
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Now, because the power of the crosses, we just sang is not
36:30
just the power that delivers you from the Wrath that is to come.
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It's a power. So great that it gets into you
36:37
and transforms your heart and sets, you free it breaks, the
36:41
shackles of sin. And God so purifies you by the
36:46
blood of the Lamb, who is the person of Jesus Christ at the
36:50
holy spirit, that can now come in and take up residence within
36:53
you and animate you to New Life in which you see the world
36:56
differently. You see God differently.
36:58
You see life differently? You see sin differently?
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You see Holiness differently? And then you walk in this world
37:05
as a pilgrim with a sense of connection to God and God's
37:10
people do from different tribes and tongues and cultures yet
37:13
something in common. We've been redeemed, we've been
37:16
forgiven were saved, were children of God more than
37:19
children, more than escapees of judgment.
37:23
But Christ goes on to Crown us with something even greater
37:25
ambassadors of Christ. Now you represent me in this
37:29
world and you communicate this truth to people, as you are
37:34
hearing it today, as you were hearing it today so that they
37:38
may be saved. Oh would you come to Christ?
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Oh, would you hear the invitation in this world?
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That is falling apart. It is falling apart because
37:48
Jesus predicted it, it is falling apart.
37:50
Because in Jesus goodness, he wants to show the world just how
37:53
broken it is so that they can look to a Transcendent Source
37:58
who is Christ himself to redeem and rescue them.
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So he's calling you at this time of History to embrace to embrace
38:06
his lordship Repent and believe. As we come to the table, we're
38:12
going to do something differently.
38:13
Than what we do is you Church. We're going to take the
38:16
elements, you will return to your seat and as you return to
38:18
your seat, you will be seated. And usually we sing all together
38:22
as we reflect, but we will have the choir come up and sing over
38:26
us as we meditate upon what Christ has done, Pastor, Daniel
38:30
will lead us through communion. We will eat and we will
38:33
conclude, let's pray. Lord, we ask In This Moment.
38:48
That you would enlarge in our hearts.
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To love Jesus. Savior, and Lord.
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That even in this process. Oh God, as we partake.
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Of the bread and the cup greater Revelation would be given to us.
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For the person who does not know Christ, may they sense the
39:11
goodness of God that leads to repentance.
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And Lord may you be exalted in this place.
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In Jesus name, we pray. Amen, just take the time to
39:25
examine your hearts. And to ask God, if your heart is
39:32
pure and free from any known sin, if there's reconciliation
39:35
that needs to take place anything that's in our hearts,
39:38
that Christ would be grieved by should be dealt with before we
39:41
partake. But as you deal with the Lord in
39:43
that, and if you feel confident, come forward partake return to
39:47
your seat. And just sit there and meditate
39:50
upon the cross, because we, we are people who are not here to
39:55
ask God, what we need to do, we are here to reflect on what he's
39:57
done. He's done it and we're
40:01
celebrating that together. Amen.
50:46
Remembering Christ. Wee.
50:51
We are here to remember him, we have remembered him through the
50:55
songs of the worship, with the words and now is a time to
50:59
remember him through the breaking of the bread, like to
51:04
read from the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 26, beginning in verse
51:11
17 and we want to take our time as we remember our Lord and
51:15
savior this evening. Now on the first day of
51:20
unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying, where will
51:25
you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover.
51:30
And it happens to be Today where the Jews meet together to
51:36
celebrate Passover. He said go into the city to a
51:42
certain man and say to him the teacher says, my time is at
51:46
hand, I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples
51:51
and the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and they
51:55
prepared the Passover. When it was evening he reclined
52:00
at table with the twelve and as they were eating.
52:04
He said truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.
52:09
And he was a very sorrowful and began to say to him one after
52:12
another is it? I Lord.
52:17
He answered he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me
52:22
win, petrini, the son of man goes as it is written of him.
52:28
But woe to the Man by whom the son of man is betrayed it would
52:33
have been better for that man if he had not been born.
52:39
Deuces. Who would betray him answered,
52:41
is it? I rabbi.
52:44
You said to him, you have seen two now as they were eating.
52:52
They were eating the Passover meal.
52:57
Just took a bread. It was the bread of the
53:02
Passover, the bread that is called the bread of Affliction
53:07
that bread that reminded the Jews of the Affliction of Egypt
53:11
the time when they were hurrying to get out but now Christ takes
53:15
their bread. To make it symbolize something
53:19
different. That's something new.
53:22
He took that bread and after placing it broke it.
53:27
And give it to the disciples and said, take eat.
53:31
This is my body. Now, this is good to be
53:34
representative of my buddy is going to be broken for you.
53:40
And he took a cop. They were four cups with the
53:45
table. Is what the Jews do during the
53:49
Passover. In reference to Exodus chapter 6
53:55
beginning in verse 6. Just let me read it to you the
53:59
first cup. They called it the cup of
54:02
sanctification. Based on that verse, I am the
54:06
Lord and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the
54:11
Egyptian. The second cup, they would drink
54:14
you in the Passover is called a cup of Deliverance.
54:19
And there comes to the other part of the verse and I will
54:22
deliver You From Slavery to them.
54:26
Then comes the third cup, it is called the cup of redemption and
54:31
this is the verse. I will redeem you with an
54:35
outstretched arm and with a great acts of judgment and many
54:39
people think this is the cup that Jesus took that third cup
54:43
the cup of redemption and said after that, this is my blood.
54:51
It was the Redemption of the Jews from Egypt that is do
54:54
whatever she says. I will redeem you with an
54:57
outstretched arm and with a great Act of judgment.
55:02
Pastor Daniel today, mentioned the Judgment, the cup will
55:06
drink. Today symbolizes the blood of
55:15
Christ and our Redemption with can be also a cup of judgment.
55:21
I think Paul alludes to that. In First Corinthians 11, if we
55:25
take unworthily in, it would be judging ourselves and those who
55:30
don't receive the rejection of Christ, nothing remains to them,
55:35
but a cup of judgment. But the Christ himself on the
55:39
cross, he drank the full cup. Over judgment for me and you or
55:44
existed them on the accepted him on the cross, and his work on
55:47
the cross. And then there is the fourth
55:49
cup, and the last cup, the Jews would drink.
55:52
And that says, in verse 7, I will take you to be my people.
55:56
This is the cup of Praise. Let me continue the reading of
56:02
Matthew And he took a cup. And when he had given, thanks,
56:12
he gave it to them saying, drink of it.
56:15
All of you for, this is my blood of the Covenant, which is poured
56:19
out for many for the Forgiveness of sins.
56:22
I tell you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine,
56:26
until that day, when I drink it in you with you in my father's
56:30
Kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn,
56:34
halil one of the sounds that be seeing from when 13 2018 they
56:39
went out to the Mount of Olives and probably then they drank
56:43
that cup of praise 27 chapter 27 when morning came, all of the
56:51
chief priests and the Elders of the people took counsel.
56:54
Again, Jesus to put him to death, And he bound him and led
56:58
him away and delivered him over to pilate the governor verse 27.
57:04
In the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's
57:08
headquarters and together the whole Battalion before him, they
57:13
stripped him and put a Scarlet robe on him and twisting
57:17
together. A crown of thorns, they put it
57:20
on his head and put to read. When his right hand and kneeling
57:23
before him, they mocked him saying hail King of the Jews.
57:30
And they spit on him. And took the Reed and struck him
57:35
on the head and where they had mocked him, they stripped him of
57:39
the robe and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to
57:43
crucify him. And verse 45.
57:47
Now from the sixth hour, there was Darkness over the land until
57:53
the ninth power and about the ninth hour.
57:55
Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli, Eli Lama
57:59
sabachthani. That is my God.
58:01
My God. Why have you forsaken me?
58:04
And some of the bystanders hearing, it said this man is
58:07
calling Elijah. And one of them at once ran and
58:11
took a sponge, filled it with sour wine at put it on a reed.
58:16
And gave it to him to drink, but the other seed wheat that a see
58:20
whether Elijah will come to save him.
58:24
And he has a cried out again with a loud voice and yielded
58:29
up. His Spirit, it is.
58:37
Finished. It is finished.
58:43
It is Finished Christ has done it.
58:49
He poured that Judgment of God for you and me on the cross.
58:54
And now we come together to remember his work for us on the
58:58
cross. Who would remember first his
59:01
body, Jesus Took the bread and he gave thanks to this.
59:08
Give thanks for the present. Our Lord and savior.
59:17
This is the greatest love story ever told.
59:23
The story of God's love. For Sinners for God.
59:29
So loved the world that he gave his only begotten, son, that
59:35
whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting
59:39
life. This is the story of clock
59:44
Christ, loved his church. He loved her and give himself
59:50
for her. This is the story of our
59:53
salvation and our Redemption. This is the story of the wrath
59:58
of God. Falling on a righteous man.
1:00:02
The Lord Jesus Christ. For wicked men like us.
1:00:10
This is the story of the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1:00:15
That's it, Us free. Lord we come to thank you for
1:00:20
what you have done for us. We come to thank you that you
1:00:23
died and you drank the full cup of the wrath of God for us that
1:00:29
we might be set free and have eternal life with you.
1:00:33
But we give you the glory and the praise.
1:00:36
And the worship has we break the spirit and partake in it
1:00:40
together. In Your Name?
1:00:42
Lord, we give thanks. Let's drink it together.
1:01:20
Then Jesus Took the cup and gave.
1:01:22
Thanks to the give thanks with a cop Lord This cup.
1:01:30
Remind us of your blood. That was shit there for us on
1:01:35
the cross. And remind us that there is no
1:01:39
forgiveness without the shedding of blood.
1:01:45
The blood of the Lamb of God, who is without spot and blemish?
1:01:55
But we thank you. We thank you that you did not
1:01:59
say no but you went there to the Cross.
1:02:03
You accepted that judgment for me and for us, Because of that
1:02:10
grip of for us though. We thank you for the cross.
1:02:14
We thank you for the blood. We thank you that we have been
1:02:18
cleansed once and for all because of the body because of
1:02:24
the blood of Christ, your blood that was shed for us.
1:02:27
And now Lord, as we drink it together, we cannot see or God,
1:02:32
anything, but thank you, thank you, thank you, in your name.
1:08:16
Can we just show our appreciation to Lori a choir
1:08:19
director and a choir, dr. Brian leave for helping us I
1:08:31
know they, I know they won't be too happy with me by doing that,
1:08:34
but I know the work that they put in week after week to bless
1:08:39
us with their gifts and with their willingness to just exalt
1:08:41
Christ in the way they just did. And we look forward to
1:08:44
celebrating with you. If you're able to join us this
1:08:47
Sunday, as we turn our attention to the resurrected Christ, and
1:08:51
he is alive today. We so are so grateful for you
1:08:54
being here tonight. And we look forward to all that
1:08:57
the Lord will do in this place through your lines as we live.
1:09:01
Crucified Life for his namesake. Can we pray together?
1:09:05
What we thank you for the blood. We thank you that in Christ.
1:09:13
You seek, right perfection. and we stand forgiven at the cross
1:09:19
Lord, for the person in this place was wrestling with that
1:09:23
truth, who either can't believe it because they know the
1:09:26
wretchedness of their sin Or who are still in love with their
1:09:31
sin. Lord helped open our eyes to the
1:09:36
truth of it all And Lord lead us by your spirit to where we need
1:09:42
to be. But we pray that with these
1:09:45
short lives, they would be fragrant offerings unto you not
1:09:50
because we are repaying you, but just as a symbol of our
1:09:54
gratitude to what you've done for us.
1:09:56
Lord, we're so grateful that we can come together and sing, and
1:10:00
reflect, and receive and rejoice in Christ as your people, bless
1:10:06
our time of Fellowship. Use us for Lori and be exalted
1:10:10
through it. All in Jesus name we pray.
1:10:13
Amen and amen. Amen.
1:10:15
God bless you in the name of the Lord.
1:10:17
Jesus Christ. Hope to say hello to you and
1:10:19
hope to see you this Sunday, if the Lord Wills, have a good
1:10:22
night,