Why The Cross? A Crime to be Punished

Pastor David continues through his Easter series titled Why the Cross? Join us in-person or online beginning at 10:30 am!

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THE CRUX OF CHRISTIANITY IS THE _____________!

  • A broken relationship that must be restored.

JESUS = OUR _______________________

  • A debt that must be paid.

JESUS = OUR _______________________

  • A bondage that must be broken.

JESUS = OUR _______________________

  • A crime that must be punished.

JESUS = OUR _______________________

JUSTICE = the maintenance of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments

JUST = conforming to a standard of correctness; in conformity with what is morally upright or good; that which is legally correct

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who saves us (Isaiah 33:22)

I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore, be holy, because I am holy.  (Leviticus 11:45)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Q: How can a guilty sinner (criminal) be justified                        before a holy God?

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.                  (II Corinthians 5:21)

1. “GOD” GOD, THE ________________

“…Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”     (Isaiah 6:3b)

“Exalt the Lord our God  and worship at his holy mountain,  for the Lord our God is holy.” (Psalm 9:9)

2. “US/WE” YOU AND ME

The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Ps.14:2-3)

3. “HIM” _______________

This High Priest of ours (Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.”  (Hebrews 4:15)

Transaction #1

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us… (II Cor.5:21a)

Transaction #2

…so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  (II Cor.  5:21b)

JUSTIFICATION = the act of declaring or making someone or something righteous in the sight of God

Digging Deeper

Q1: What are some of your favourite Easter memories…traditions? Explain.

Q2: It is easy to play the “comparison game” when it comes to other people.  Give some examples of how we “play” that “game”.  Why is comparison often not a helpful activity?

Q3: Read John 3:1-16.  What was Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ attempt to touch the ceiling of God’s righteousness?  What is the one thing that Jesus said is required for a person to become part of the Kingdom of God? (see v.3) What is the means by which we enter that Kingdom? (see v.16)

Q4: Has anybody ever taken the blame or the rap for you?  If so, explain what happened and how you felt in that situation?

Q5: In light of Jesus bearing the punishment for your sins, what kind or response should that generate in your life?