The Death of Christ at the Cross

Elder Saw Lip Hean
30-03-2018

What was going on through His mind as Jesus hung on the cross?

Psalm 22 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Suffering, Praise, and Posterity of the Messiah
To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.”[a] A Psalm of David.
22 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.

3 But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered;
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

6 But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted[b] in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.
11 Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have surrounded Me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
13 They gape at Me with their mouths,
Like a raging and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced[c] My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
20 Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me.

22 I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.

25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.
Let your heart live forever!

27 All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.[d]
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s,
And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth
Shall eat and worship;
All those who go down to the dust
Shall bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep himself alive.

30 A posterity shall serve Him.
It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,
That He has done this.

A) Dying to self-purpose

Matthew 27:45-50 New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus Dies on the Cross
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[a]

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.

49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Fellowship with God was cut off. Why? Because of the sin of the world.

1) Sin separates man from God

Romans 3:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 59:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Separated from God

59 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.

If man is to fellowship with God, the sin issue has to be resolved.

If God knows man was going to sin, why did He create man in the first place?

2) Jesus died for our sins.

Romans 5:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ in Our Place

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 9:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Because of sin, the world is far from God.

Jesus died on that cross two thousand years ago. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Is there anything that God cannot do?

God cannot fellowship with sin. Sin has to be sorted out. God in Jesus died for our sin. By the shedding of blood, the sin of man is paid for.

3) Jesus God died as man.

Philippians 2:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, andcoming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

By allowing His Son, Jesus is God Himself.

Jesus emptied Himself and went on the cross as a man.

When He was nailed and hung on the cross, the Spirit of God left Him.

God had to take it upon Himself to save us.

God now gives the right to become the children of God.

4) Death to self - Alive in Christ

John 1:12-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Galatians 2:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Application
1) Are we pursuing our own purposes and ambitions or are we willing to subject the purpose of our lives to God

- incorrect notions about calling and lifestyle

You may be a Christian. This night, two thousand years ago Jesus died on the cross. This means that you died with Him.

How come are we not experiencing the joy?

Out of the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks.

We are afraid to completely yield ourselves to God and die to self and completely yield to His purposes.

- the God who called you is also the one who made you

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

We don't come on Sunday and tell God He takes one quarter.

We forget and lose out on the very purpose of Good Friday.

Wait till you understand the fullness of the Holy Spirit and you'll understand how great God is.

2) How to fulfill God's calling for your life

- willingness?

God is a gentle Spirit.

- FAITH = intimacy, obedience, courage and perseverance

Faith must be translated into works.

If we are willing...

If we obey...

If we have courage...

If we persevere...

God will open doors for you.

Otherwise we deceive ourselves.

Give your heart to Christ and you will know joy beyond compare.

B) Dying to emotional insecurities

Jesus died for the emotional and physical insecurities of man.

Psalm 22:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted[a] in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Many servants of God understand this very, very well.

We share the gospel and people mock us. We allow the mockery of the gospel get to us. As a result, we don't share as much.

When you wait upon the Lord and you are serious with Him, He will open up a way for you. So long as you are willing to take whatever it takes.

Jesus died for that mockery as well.

God will open up a way for you to share the gospel.

Matthew 27:27-44 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

The King on a Cross

32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him sour[a]wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.

35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots,[b] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”[c]

36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders,[d] said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel,[e] let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.[f]43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Application:
1) Mockery when sharing the gospel - but not because of our insensitivity.

2) Scorn when results not consistent to out message - how we handle failure - subjecting our expecrations to God

3) Despised by the world for our spiritual outlook - heavenly minded and of no earthly good?

4) Need for affirmation and praise - secure in God or under delusion

5) Servanthood mentality - 

Philippians 2:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, andcoming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Have you been questioning about the fruit of your labour? 

Are you feeling depressed and doing the scorning yourself?

Never judge by what you can see because you never understand what you don't see.

Why is it that I serve God but I don't see results?

Check ourselves first.

Lord, have I done something wrong?

Let the principle of Isaiah come in. Isaiah was sawn in two.

Jeremiah was captured and forced to go into exile.

Peter and the apostles died very tragic deaths.

Never forget we have a higher purpose--not only for this earth but for the new earth to come.

We have died to in Christ on the cross. 

C) Dying to physical insecurities

Psalm 22:12-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Many bulls have surrounded Me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
13 They gape at Me with their mouths,
Like a raging and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced[a] My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them,And for My clothing they cast lots.

John 19:23-30 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”[a]

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Behold Your Mother

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!”And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

It Is Finished

28 After this, Jesus, knowing[b]that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put iton hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Application:
1) Our fear of physical discomfort and suffering leads us to compromise and flexible moral standards despite knowing we need to be wise as serpents but innocent as doves. (1 Peter 2:21)

2) Our desire for a lavish/luxurious life leads us to a stressful life of mixed priorities and discontentment. (Matthew 6:21)

3) Our foolishness and itchy ears leads us to wrong theology regarding material wealth and physical health (2 Timothy 4:3)

4) Reality of our Hope. (Romans 8:18)

You are a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thusno longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Galatians 2:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Conclusion:
In the death of Christ on the cross, we have died to:
1) our self purpose

2) our emotional insecurities. We are now secure in God.

3) physical insecurities. God will always look after us. Sufferings will come but these will build up our character.

Otherwise, we undo the death of Christ on the cross.