Crucified With Christ

(Galatians 2:20)

Read some of the crucifixion accounts from the Gospels.

“Man is certainly stark mad; he cannot make a worm, and yet he will be making gods by dozens” (Michel de Montaigne).

Yet to show the certainty of his madness, man attempts everyday to dethrone and discredit the One who truly is God (Scott Stoll).

Do you remember all the debate that began over the making of The Passion of Christ?

While listening to a debate on “The Passion” a Jewish rabbi was livid about the anti-Semitism caused by the movie. He worked hard to show how Christian’s accuse and persecute the Jews for being the ones who crucified the Christ – that is, the Christ to us. Because he then shifted gears and attempted to prove that Jesus wasn’t the Christ – this is ironic in my mind.

If the one who was killed on that cross was not the Son of God, then what is the big deal? As on letter to the editor wrote, “What is the big deal, it is only a movie.”

Of late, man has discovered:

The tomb of Jesus the Christ – and his bones are still in it. This makes the news and books will be written like this.

Mary Magdalene was a wife to Jesus and they procreated a line of royal descendants. All of this has been scandalously kept secret by the church.

Pluralism is the only acceptable mode of operation – many ways, many religions, many lifestyles – all of which must be accepted as equal in merit. There is no absolute truth. No one can say they have more truth than another. To say anything derogatory against another person or group (even if done decently and respectfully) is forbidden.

What does that mean for the Living Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?

What can we do as the Living Church of the Lord Jesus

Christ?

My suggestion is that we do what born again Christians have been doing all through the centuries of authentic Church history.

Read passages like Galatians 2:15-21.

Understand passages like Galatians 2:15-21.

Practice passages like Galatians 2:15-21.

I. If I read passages of Scripture like this, I am showing some doctrinal beliefs.

I believe that this is the Word of God.

I believe that the Lord has inspired this Word (II Timothy 3:16).

I believe that there is value in reading the Written Word (Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow!).

II. If I understand passages of Scripture like this, I am demonstrating some doctrinal beliefs.

I believe that this Word is living and understandable (Hebrews 4:12).

I believe that we have the cognitive abilities to understand this – image of God in us.

There are ever present never ending arguments over Scripture. Don’t be surprised and don’t give up!

I believe in the illumination of the Holy Spirit which allows me (a little god which is unfortunately fallen) to understand this Word of God (Hebrews 10:32 and I John 2:20).

III. If I practice passages of Scripture life this, I am living out some doctrinal beliefs.

I know what I believe.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; One Holy Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

I will put to practice what I believe.

READ . . . UNDERSTAND . . . PRACTICE.

Now, let’s do that with Galatians 2:20.

What should the most obvious lesson of being crucified with Christ be?

That I will suffer, just like my Jesus did.

Read Matthew 10:37-39 and 16:24-28.

Well, I don’t like the sound of that.

Many who say they are Christians don’t – that is part of the reason why we are in the mess that we are in.

Read Philippians 3:7 through 4:1.

Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”

CHRIST HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED.

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST.

Christ lives . . . so I live (saved by faith no by works).

I haven’t dies yet . . . yet I die daily to my sinful flesh.

I BY FAITH BELIEVE THIS GOSPEL OF JESUS.

Galatians 2:20 – Son of God . . Loved me . . . Gave Himself for me.

Read Scripture . . . Understand Scripture . . . Practice Scripture.

Have I been crucified with Him?

Position of Salvation = CRUCIFIED

- Either I am saved and secure

- Or I am eternally lost

Progression of Salvation = CRUCIFYING MY FLESH

- Either I am safe, confident, growing, producing fruit

- Or I am miserable and shrinking

THE SON OF GOD WAS CRUCIFIED FOR MY SALVATION – THIS IS THE PASSION OF CHRIST.

This will be attacked!

Many more gods will be made.

Multiplied attempts to discredit the Gospel will be made.

Believers in Christ will suffer!

Have you been crucified with Him?

Do you live by faith in Him? (This means we don’t see it . . . we live in hope of it).

When doing some decorating in the church yesterday, Linda kept saying to me, “This cross is heavy!” Talking about the cross that hangs from the wall in the auditorium.

This cross is heavy.