Offering ——— 2 Chron 26:3-5 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. a) If we do our part —— seek God b) God can do His part—- Prosper… Provide… cause us to succeed c) Our Part = Seek God—- Daily feeding on His Word Seek God —- Daily Spending time in Prayer
Keep God First——
Prov 3:9 NLT Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the BEST part of everything you produce. Prov 3:9 msg Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the FIRST and the BEST. 6) Offering song: 7) Sermon: “ What happened at the Resurrection Intro: For the past 2000 years, the central symbol of Christianity… Is the cross. The cross… Upon which criminals were executed… It is absolutely amazing… That the most powerful being in the universe… Almighty God… Chose to show his ultimate expression of love through the death of his son on the cross. 1 Cor 1:18-21 NKJ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —-18 For it is written:—- vs 19 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.—-21 This morning… I want to take a few minutes to talk about why the cross stands at the centre of the Christian faith.
There are 10 sermons in the Book of Acts… 5 by the apostle Paul & 5 by the apostle Peter
In all 10 sermons, the central message is the same…
The Pain of the cross—- Natural view History — The Romans were very good at executions. They could do it… Fast or slow Private or public Burn you, Stone or use a sword ��️
Stretch the agony out over a long time Maximize public humiliation And instill fear in those who watched it The person being crucified… Was forced to carry his own cross The Romans had them take the longest route… And the most crowded route… The idea was to make the condemned man… A public spectacle And since the Romans occupied Israel… They use this method to instill fear in anyone who might even consider a rebellion. In most crucifixions… The condemned man… Would be beaten with whips 39 times ( before the crucifixion ) 39 times … Because anything more and no one could survive it. Afterwards… He would be hung on the cross… With spikes in his feet and through his wrists Once the cross was lifted up… The only way he could breathe… Is he have to push up with his feet in order to get a breath of air.
Note ��
Jesus looked down from the cross on the people and said … “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” Interesting thought… The Bible does not primarily focus on the natural side of Jesus‘s crucifixion… Why? Because Jesus‘s death… Was not just natural… It was supernatural! Jesus‘s death… Went beyond natural death ( just his body ) Jesus’ suffering… Was a spiritual suffering… ( spiritual death )
The natural death of Jesus… Is what people saw But the spiritual suffering… Is what God saw on the cross! Heb 10:14 GNB With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin. msg says... It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. On the cross Jesus experienced … ( in our place )