Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

John Cleary

The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus is more than merely a historical event. This is evident in some of the statements surrounding Jesus on the cross. Those statements include: 1) they crucified him; 2) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?; 3) it is finished; 4) Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise. Jesus wants each individual to personally respond to this dramatic event.

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Gary DeLashmutt

John 20:30-31

Jesus made it clear that he was God through his actions, he healed a paralyzed man on the Sabbath. He was communicating to the Pharisees that he as God could work on the Sabbath, and that he had the power to heal broken and sinful people.

The Gentile Pentecost

Dennis McCallum

Mark 7:8-9

God wants to use believers to tell other people about His message and help them understand what God has done for them on the cross. However, believers can put up barriers to that message. Our prejudices, traditions, and arbitrary absolutes can stand in the way of God's love. We should be actively ridding ourselves of these barriers so people can see who God is through us. See what God has to say about this through Peter and Cornelius.\r\n

Betrayal and Denial

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 27:3-4

As Jesus's death draws ever nearer, he experiences the denial of his disciple Peter, and finally the betrayal of his disciple Judas. When looked at closely, these two instances are unexpectedly similar. The difference between Judas and Peter can be found in their responses to their sin. We learn the difference between remorse and repentance. Remorse leads to spiritual death and distance from God, while repentance involves a change in mind and action, resulting in restoration and closeness with God.

Death: The Final Foe

Dennis McCallum

John 11

Death is heart breaking and unavoidable. But God has given us the solution to death through His son's payment of our sins on the cross. Jesus conquered death through his resurrection. We now have the option to live forever with Him.

The Woman Caught in Adultery

Dennis McCallum

John 8

We are all deeply sinful people who do not deserve God's grace. When God chooses to forgive us for our sins, He puts no stipulations on it. God's grace gives us freedom from sin and the motivation to love other people. The grace and forgiveness come first. It is only then that we can have the power to effectively love other people.

The Crucifixion

Chris Lang

John 19:31-33

Throughout the Bible we see that Jesus going to the cross was God's ultimate plan for salvation. In the details of Jesus' crucifixion we see the lengths that God went to, to forgive humanity's sin. Jesus experienced scourging, mocking, humiliation, and ultimately death on a cross. Through His death God demonstrated His perfect love and forgiveness.

Working Out What God Has Put In

Dennis McCallum

Acts 16:31

Paul calls us to work out our salvation, in other words, living out our salvation. We are called to forgive one another and move towards one another in love. We have been forgiven so much, so we should be free to forgive others.

The Emptying of Jesus

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 2:17-18

Christ emptied himself of his godly abilities in order to become a human and pay for humanities sins. Jesus depended on God in order to perform the miracles and work he did here on Earth. Christ humbled himself in order to save humanity.