PP0710 DATE
CALVARY THE PLACE OF
CRUCIFIXION!
Lu 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (KJV) The word “Malefactor” means a criminal – evil doer.
INTRODUCTION: The Cross is one of the most sacred instrument that is mentioned in the Bible. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) We have all been driving on a certain street or roadway and see a small cross that has been placed by the roadside marking the place where someone’s loved one was killed in an auto accident. The Cross is the symbol of death. To a Christian it is the symbol of our life in Christ Jesus. The crucifixion was death for Christ, but life for the believer.
Sermons and hymns about the Cross are a comforting love letter from God. The cross is the center of the Christian’s life. If he omits the cross from his daily thought life, and his mediation he will become cold, indifferent, and uncaring. I love the hymns about the Cross. They always bring tears to my eyes, and a joy to my soul.
The cross is the most important subject in all of the Bible. All of the Old Testament points the readers ahead to the Cross. When we speak of the cross we do not make reference to the wooden instrument, rather the symbol. Reference to the cross is speaking about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) When Paul wrote of the cross in this verse he was referring to the death and shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no saving ability in the wooden instrument in which Jesus died on. The cross, itself, was not preserved. In a few years it deteriorated and returned to dirt.
All of the New Testament reminds the believers what happened on the Cross. The cross is our life line. It is the reason for all of our preaching. Preaching often on the cross will keep a congregation intimate in their relationship with Christ. It will keep us focused on the true message of this church.
I want to share four thoughts about the Cross or the place called “Calvary”.
I. "CALVARY, THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED"
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the greatest event that ever happened. It was by the crucifixion that the shed blood of Christ was completed. Without the cross mankind would have no means of salvation. Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (KJV)
God used the cross to fulfil His plan of atonement for the unsaved. We usually term people that are lost as being unsaved or an unbeliever.
There is a difference in one who is unsaved and one who is an unbeliever. An unbeliever refuses to believe and has his belief in another system. He discounts all credibility of the Bible. He doesn’t believe in God – He doesn’t believe the Bible is true. (Let me say this – from the beginning of time to this very moment the Bible has been accurate. Everything has come to pass just as it predicts. Therefore why wouldn’t it be trustworthy for the future?) An unbeliever refuses to believe. The destiny is no different for either.
An unsaved person has never placed his faith in Jesus Christ, He may or may not believe in God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. An unsaved person could even be a member of a church. Or he may take no thought of spiritual matters at all. Both the unbeliever and the unsaved man go to the same place – Hell – for the same reason. Both ignored the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
Listen to Rev. 21:8 - Re 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV) Why would anyone ignore the saving grace of God knowing that Rev. 21:8 is in the Bible?
All throughout the O.T. we see over and over the blood atonement made for the sins of Israel. The O.T. is full of promises about a New Covenant – a blood sacrifice that would once and for all atone for man’s sin. In Hebrews we see that New Covenant confirmed. Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (KJV)
Notice with me the meaning of some words: “He taketh away the first…” The “first” is referring to: The offerings, sacrifices, burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin, which were prescribed by the law. In the O.T. the priest had to make an atonement offering every year. It had to be repeated each year. But in the N.T. we see that Jesus Christ made one sacrifice for sins forever.
God took away the “first” or the O.T. sacrifice and replaced it with the New Covenant.
“He taketh away the first…”
“….that he may establish the second.” “The offering of the body of Jesus once for all.”
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross brings atonement for sin, and provides for the salvation of all who will believe.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (KJV)
Calvary – The Place Where Christ Was crucified. The preaching of the Cross is not complete without the resurrection on the third day. That is what we celebrate today. Easter is not about “Easter Eggs” – new dresses – and a family dinner. Jesus Christ died on the cross – was buried in a borrowed tomb – but three days later He came out of that tomb and lives today.
II. "CALVARY, THE PLACE WHERE LAW WAS SATISFIED"
The Law has four basic purposes:
(1) To declare the holiness of God. 1 Pet 1:16. 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV)
(2) To define sin. Rom. 4:15. Ro 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (KJV)
(3) To declare guilt of the sinner. Rom. 3:19-20. Ro 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (KJV)
(4) To point the sinner to Christ. Gal 3:24. Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (KJV)
A. The Law Demands Death To The Sinner. Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The book of the Psalms is a very comforting book. In it we can find much about different doctrines. There is a great lesson about the crucifixion given in Psa. 85:10.
Ps 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (KJV)
“Preacher, where does the crucifixion fit into this verse?”
“Mercy” represents – God the Father. “His mercy endureth forever.” Forty-one times this phrase is used in the O.T. and as far as I can tell it is speaking of The Father each time.
“Righteousness” speaks of God the Father also - 2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(KJV)
Mercy and righteousness speak of the Father – God the Father.
“Mercy and Truth”.
“Truth” represents – Jesus Christ - God the Son. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life….”.
Mercy and truth met together and as a result righteousness and peace were united in an intimate manner. The meeting of Mercy and Truth always brings righteousness and peace.
“Peace” represents – Jesus Christ - Isa. 9:6 - Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV) That’s why there can be no peace in the world until the Prince of Peace comes.
In answer to Psa. 85:10 - Now, Where did Mercy and Truth meet? In Christ Jesus - when he poured out his life on Calvary. Ro 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (KJV)
B. The Law Could Not Provide The Atonement.
Ro 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (KJV)
The law required that sin be paid by death.
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
1. The law points out the fault.
2. The law describes the penalty.
3. The laws is the instrument by which each of us know we are sinners. Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (KJV)
Everyone in this building has broken all of the Ten Commandments. By doing such you have been condemned to Hell. Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (KJV)
After the cross God and Man can now have fellowship again. That fellowship was lost in the Garden of Eden – Therefore, God looked forward to the cross when He and Man could once again walk together in the Garden of Fellowship.
III. "CALVARY, THE PLACE WHERE GOD WAS GLORIFIED"
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (KJV)
Mankind looks at the Crucifixion as a father would look at his son who being wrongly convicted and then executed. If this happened to any father in this building we would be angry and want revenge.
God looks at it as being the fulfillment of the plan of redemption of His creation. He watched it through eyes of love for those crucifying Jesus Christ. It was the crown of His glory to give His Son for the sin of the world. Ro 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (KJV)
He saw the brutalization and murder of His Son, but with the same eyes He saw the same eyes He saw the redemptive plan for all the world being provided.
It was upon the cross that God poured out all of His wrath upon the Lamb of God. It was as though God took a giant shovel and began to pour all of the wrath for all sin for always upon Jesus Christ. It was then that the righteousness of God was granted to all who would believe.
God’s righteousness is not free – it is free to man – but God paid the ultimate price that His righteousness could be passed on to man.
He was pleased at the crucifixion – but all Heaven rejoiced when Christ arose with the keys to death, Hell and the grave. This was the time for the glory of God to be manifested.
If the same cross that Jesus Christ was still around today and we would see it we would consider it an ugly, unsightly, worthless piece of wood.
God views it as a beautiful instrument that He gave His Son to redeem men. The only time God will display His anger and wrath toward the cross is in the Great White Throne Judgment where He will judge all who have refused to believe.
IV. “CALVARY, THE PLACE WHERE I WAS JUSTIFIED”
Ro 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (KJV)
Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Ro 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV)
Any person can be justified by believing that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, and that He gave His life, and shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary to pay for, to make atonement for the sin of mankind.
I’M JUSTIFIED
I’m justified, I’m happy in Jesus today;
My sins are forgiven – they are all in the past;
They’ll never condemn me for He holds me fast.
I’m justified, I’m justified;
I’m happy in Jesus today.
Open your hymn book to page 27 “The Old Rugged Cross”
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Jesus was the sin bearer of all mankind. He, in His dying breath, reached into Heaven taking the strong hand of Justice, Mercy, and Grace of God and took my hand and joined them together in complete reconciliation. Then He said, “It is finished” – and gave up the ghost.
The doctrine of justification is the one item that separates most churches. The Bible teaches that justification is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Ro 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV)
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)
When a church teaches the doctrine of justification as being conclusive for salvation and exclusive for all other methods it will be marked as being narrow minded, and divisive.
Humanity wants the method of justification to be a matter of choice. If man can choose his manner of justification then he can omit the “This way only” that the Bible teaches and demands. Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
“The way”. Not “another way”. “The Way – “The Only Way”.
The phrase “The way” will condemn any other way. “The way” is the only way.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (KJV)
If any person omits this truth it would be better for them that they had never been born.
Let’s say that your son was kidnapped by some demonic person who brutally killed him. You would be faced with four responses.
1. You could hunt the murderer and then kill him as he did your son.
2. You could do nothing just ignore the matter.
3. You could allow the judicial system to find him, arrest him, and the try him for murder and you abide by whatever verdict was made.
4. Or you could forgive the man, adopt him as your son, and give him your son’s inheritance.
That’s what God did for us.
Calvary the place of justification.
INVITATION
