It's good to see everyone that's here this morning.
We appreciate your presence and certainly this morning is a
blessing it's a blessing. And you know, with when we talk
about blessings, really, we don't recognize a blessing till
there, a problem presents itself.
We sometimes we don't stop encounter blessing because we
have so many blessings. And in other people in other
parts of the world may be recognized a blessing, because
they aren't as blessed as we are.
But we are blessed this morning but I want to concentrate for a
few moments this morning about the blessings of the Cross and
the crucifixion just for a few moments.
We can only recognize the blessings of the Cross because
We sometimes need to know about the severity of the problems
before the cross and one of the problems was with the Old Law,
the law of Moses was an imperfect law.
It was a law, that was incomplete.
It was a law that could not take away sin.
It couldn't we couldn't meet all the demands of the Old Law.
Notice in Hebrews, attend chapter in verses 1 through 4
for the law, talking about the Mosaic whole law, having a
shadow of good things. To come and not the very image
of the things can never with these same sacrifices, which
they offer continually year-by-year.
Make those who approach. Perfect for then would they have
cease to be offered? For the worshippers.
Once per purified, what have had no more conscience of sin?
But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year
for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
could take away sins. So there's a problem.
What's the solution? The solution in the blessing is
that the cross freed us from the bondage of sin.
And from that imperfect law, notice they'll going on in the
ninth verse of the same chapter Hebrews 10 verses 9 through 14.
Then he said behold I have come to do your Will O God he takes
away the first that he may establish the second by that
will we have been Sanctified through the offering of the
body? Of Jesus Christ, once for all in
every priest stands, ministering daily and offering repeatedly,
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins
forever set down at the right hand of God.
From that time waiting, till his enemies are made his footstool
for by one offering. He has perfected forever.
Those who are being Sanctified, there's a solution to the
problem the blessing of the Cross.
Well next let's notice that we are dead in sin, we were dead in
sin and that is a problem, Ephesians 2 and verses 2 through
3. And you, he made alive who were
dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked, according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the
power of the air, the spirit, who now works in the sons of
Disobedience among whom. Also, we all once conducted
ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the Flesh, and of the mind, and we're by Nature children of
Wrath. Just as the others.
That's a problem. What's the solution?
What's the blessing? Listen to the solution to the
problem as he goes on to verses four through seven.
But God, who is rich in Mercy? Because of his great love with
which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us
alive together with Christ and raised us up together and made
us sit together in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus that the
ages to come. He might show the exceeding
Riches of his grace and his kindness toward us in Christ
Jesus. So there's the blessing because
we're dead in sin were made alive in Christ.
That's the solution. That's the blessing.
Another problem is that sin separates us from God.
We're all, we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God. Romans 2, 3, and verse 23, but
the cross Takes that separation and brings us together.
Into Christ, Ephesians 2 and verse 13.
But now in Christ Jesus who were once were, who once were afar
off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ, again, a
solution of blessing in the cross and the crucifixion.
Lastly. There's a problem that without
Christ, there is no hope, Ephesians 2, and verse 12.
That at the time, ye were without Christ, being aliens,
from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants
of problem of Promise having no hope.
And without God in the world, that's a big problem.
That's a big problem. No, hope we had we just gave a
lesson not too long ago about Hope and without hope means that
there's desperation, there's despair.
There is there's no future. There's nothing to look forward
to and this hasn't wishful thinking, as we've said, this is
a hope that is something that is guaranteed to the Christian, but
here's the blessing. With the Christ's death and
burial and Resurrection, the Christian has the hope of
inheritance First. Peter 1 verses 3 through 4.
Blessed. Be the god of our father and our
Lord Jesus Christ. Who according to His, abundant
Mercy, has begotten us again to a Living Hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the dead to an inheritance
Incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away.
Reserved in heaven for you notice also John 3 and verse 16
for God. So loved the world that he gave
his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth In him
should not perish but have everlasting life.
Those are the blessings that we have in the cross and the
crucifixion and the death burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. What blessings?
What wonderful blessings. We have the blessing to be able
to gather together this morning to remember Jesus.
And what he did for us we have a blessing being able to come
together as a body of Christ and we even though we worry about
someone maybe stepping through this door, what a blessing we
have this morning in Christ. We thank you for listening to
our podcast. Put on by the Church of Christ
at 22:15 plans, Road in Bakersfield.
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