"Men's at the Cross with Christ" # 1

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Sessions # 1

The Romans Soldiers & Barabbas

Introduction:

The following men remind me of many of the men and women in our community today that our un-churched, that don’t see the Christ as someone to worship, only mock.

        I.            The Soldiers:

     A.      They had no desire  or need to know  HIM (Christ)

     B.      They thought of HIM as just another person claiming to be God

      1)They would have been taught about Roman and Greek Mythology, they believed in Polytheism (the worship of many Gods).

   1.    Similar religions today would include  Hinduism, Buddhism, or Shintoism,

     2)    As Christians we believe in a Monotheism (the Worship of One God)

   1.      Similar religions today would be Judaism and Islam

   C.      They simply looked this as job to do.

    1)     Just another person to crucify under orders from the Roman Government.

    D.     They fulfilled prophecy of the Old Testament (and didn’t realize it) Psalms 22:18

    1)  They Gambled for his robe (Matthew 27:18)

    2)  They hung him with two thief’s

      II.            Barabbas (Matthew 2:7)

   A.      Was a thief and murder (out for self) …

   B.      Was charged with Treason

   1)            Was trying to over throw the Roman government in Judah

  C.      He saw Jesus take his place

  D.     Matthew refers to Barabbas only as a "notorious prisoner

  E.      A Passover custom was to pardon (release) one prisoner, during this time.

   1)   There is no indication in scripture or history that Barabbas made a decision for Christ.

    III.            Comparison to us today!

A.      Many are not seeking a relationship with Christ.

B.      Many are worshipping many God’s

1)  Some today worship Gods such as Hinduism

2)  Some today worship God (objects) such as homes, cars, sports, and even our family.

Statement of the Roman Centurion after the Crucifixion found in Luke 23:47

Even those not seeking Christ, can recognize HIS awesome!

Questions for tonight!

What or who is your God?

How do you see Christ right now?

What would it take to get you look at Christ differently?

"Men at the Cross with Christ" 2

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Session # 2

The Religious Leaders of the Day!

Introduction:

The religious leaders at the cross remind me of many of our Christian leaders today, they know who Jesus, is but have never developed a personal relationship with him, or accepted him as Messiah.

        I.            The Chief Priest

     A.      He had his teaching and dogma.

     B.      He had read the books, but didn’t believe it’s entirely true.

     C.      He was appointed by the authorities, but had no vested interested in the people.

     D.     He was influenced by his father-in-law (Annas the former High Priest).

      II.            The Pharisees

    A.      They felt the teaching of the Law was more important than the relationship with the Savior.

1)   They focused on the commandments given by Moses,

    B.      They believed in Oral Law and traditions.

1)   They focused on the unwritten, or oral traditions that were passed down.

   C.      They believed the Resurrection of the dead.

   D.     They believed and prepared for a coming Messiah, but they just could not or would not except Jesus as the Messiah.

    III.            The Sadducees

  A.      They strictly held to the written Word.

1)   They held to the scripture and scripture alone

  B.      They didn’t believe in the Afterlife.

  C.      They held to the Rituals associated with the temple.

  D.     They Would have been strongly established in Liberal theology.

   IV.            Comparison to us today

  A.      They all had a religious foundation, with a blind view of the truth.

  B.      They all held to the belief that they were right, and others were wrong.

  C.      They all missed an opportunity to get to know the Savior, because he did not meet their personal definition of what HE should be like.

"The Men at the Cross with Christ" # 3

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Session # 3

Peter and the other disciples stood off in the distance!

Introduction:

Ok I’m taking some liberty here, the scripture does not say anything about Peter, or the other disciples being anywhere near the cross (except John who we will talk about next week). However, it is hard for me to imagine all of the other 9 disciples not wanting to see what is happening, not trying to come to grips with what went wrong. They remind me of many of the men in our church, active but hurting.

          I.            Peter

      A.      He had spent a great deal of time with Jesus as part of the inner circle (Peter, James, and John).

      B.      He had watched the miracles.

      C.      He had heard HIM teach.

      D.     He had made very bold statements.

      E.      He had denied Christ three times..

      F.       He felt like he had failed God.

        II.            The other 9 disciples

    A.      They had also heard HIM teach.

    B.      They had watched the miracles.

    C.       They had preached in HIS name.

What is interesting is, here they are now looking at the Cross; their friend, teacher, and leader is being crucified. They now struggled to question everything they had been taught, and they also wondered “What if I just had stood up for HIM more?”

      III.            Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus (watching in secret).

   A.      They stood and watched in secret.

   B.      They felt it best not to get involved.

   C.      They wanted the benefit but not the responsibility.

      IV.            Comparison to us today!

   A.      I see a church full of Peters, Andrews, and yes even Joseph of Arimathea.

   B.      We are scared of what our friends and family will say.

                                    1.      We read our Bible in secret.

                                    2.      We listen to our Pastor preach, and then don’t act it so we won’t be accused of offending someone.

  C.      We got our feelings hurt.

                                   1.      Someone in the church said something I didn’t like.

                                   2.      The Pastor doesn’t talk about what is important to me, he only talks about the Bible.

                                   3.      They feel that they are spiritual enough themselves, and they don’t need leadership.

  D.     What they really need is a Personal touch from Jesus.

Questions for tonight!

Where are you standing, when people meet you, do they know that you worship Christ?

Reflect on your own personal relationship with Christ, what will you change?

"Men at the Cross with Christ" ... # 4

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Sessions # 4

The Apostle John (or the Sold out Disciple)

Introduction:

I love this guy – he is sold out!  No matter what happens, he is going to be with his Christ. He is kneeling in the front of the cross (front and center), holding the hands of Jesus’s mother (Mary), and listening to the very last saying of Christ.

        I.            John the Disciple (or Apostle)

    A.      He was one of Christ’s closest friends.

    B.      I’m sure he was looking for the other disciples, wondering where they were.

    C.      He spent all of his teen years with Christ.

    D.     He was a student of everything Christ taught (even until the end).

1)   He heard the 7 sayings of Christ on the Cross!

    E.      He was trying to make sense of what was happening.

1)   Why did people hate HIS Christ so much?

    F.       He filled a role that was neglected.

1)    Where was Mary’s other son, Jesus’ half-brother by Joseph? No it was John (a friend of Jesus) that is taking Mary to his home.

   G.     He watched HIS friend die.

1)     It was a cruel and humiliating death.

2)     He saw the blood drip to the ground.

      II.            Comparison to us today!

   A.      We have the same choice --  are we going to be counted with Christ or not?

   B.      He was willing to suffer for Christ.

1)     He was willing to be boiled in oil.

2)     He was willing to be exiled to Prison Island.

3)     He was willing be to be mocked by the authorities.

Questions for tonight!

What are we willing to suffer (if anything)?

What are we willing to give up (if anything)?

Are we willing to sell out for Christ and the other Disciples?

"The Men at the Cross with Christ" ... # 5

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Session # 5

The Thieves

Introduction:

The thieves that deserved their punishment and the Redeemer that was willing to forgive. What an awesome illustration of God’s love, and man’s inability to grasp it.

        I.            Thief one: He was willing to reject Christ.

     A.      If you are the Christ.

     B.      Do something for me.

     C.      He followed the crowd, even in his pain.

     D.     He separated himself from the Redeemer with unbelief.

     E.      He missed the glory of Heaven, by rejecting the gift of Life.

     F.       He received is due reward of Hell, because of his disbelief.

      II.            Thief two: He wanted to know Christ personally.

    A.      I deserve what is happening to me.

    B.      He acknowledged the sinless nature of Christ.

    C.      He accepted a free gift with no promise of getting off the Cross.

    D.     He had a childlike faith.

    E.      He received the gift of eternal life (in Heaven) because of his belief.

    F.       Today he sits with Christ in Heaven.

    III.            Comparing this to us!

   A.      We have to make a decision about eternity.

   B.      We have only two (2) options or choices.

1)    Glorified Heaven, living for eternity in the presence of Christ.

2)    Godless Hell, living for eternity totally separated from God.

  C.      There is no third (3^rd) choice, therefore “they are going to just bury me”.

1)    This is a man-made option, and not in God’s plan for any man.

Questions for tonight!

What is your choice -- Heaven or Hell?

Who do you know that needs to hear about Christ so they can go to Heaven with you, and are you willing to tell them?