“From a Rugged Cross to a Regal Throne” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge Easter 2011

Pastor Richard A. Daughtridge

“From a Rugged Cross to a Regal Throne” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

What happened on that cross changed my life forever. I was reconciled to God.

It became my signed adoption as a Christian. It was my forgiveness of sins paid for by Christ’s death.

 I have never felt so loved as I realized the cross’s value, or even more the value that Christ placed on me to be there in my place.

Ever wonder how the witnesses must have felt after Christ died? They were scattered but eventually found their way to each other.  Their redeemer was dead. They consoled each other and planned for a life without Him. Three days of doubt, fear and abandonment must have seemed like an eternity. Then it happened. He is risen.

Today we finish the sermon series, “Testimonies of those that watched Christ die” but our story is just getting started. As we appreciate the witnesses’ account of Christ’s death to deal with our sin. We now witness an event more shocking and life changing, the resurrection. We were raised with Him.  Redeemed by his sacrifice and now recreated spiritually by his resurrection.

The stone was rolled away. Then the story changes from gloom, to glory filled the room, from mortal to majestic, from dead to alive forever more, from a rugged cross to a regal throne.

Let’s experience with the witnesses the resurrection of our Lord.

"He Is Risen"

Matthew 28:1-6  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. [2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:9-10     And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. [10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [17] And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Remember Paul Harvey’s” The rest of the Story”?

Where are those witnesses today because of the resurrection?

• Paul ?
• The Woman at the Well?
• Mary Jesus’ Mother?
• Peter?
• The believing thief on the cross?
• The Centurion?
• The people lining the streets waving palm leaves singing Hosanna?
• The people that cried “Crucify him.”? 

Now like Paul Harvey used to say, here’s the rest of the story. From a Rugged Cross to a Regal Throne.

Heaven will be great.

Rev. 7:9-12    After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; [10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. [11] And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, [12] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

(Many thanks to Joe Hahn for sharing his portrayal of Christ. It reflects Christ’s majesty and humanity. Well done Joe. )

Sermon Hymn      Holy Holy Holy   Page 3

“On the Road Again, Tragedy and Triumph” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge,04/17/11 Sermon Series, “Witnesses of those that watched Christ Die” Easter 2011

“On the Road Again, Tragedy and Triumph” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge,  Sermon Series, “Witnesses of those that watched Christ Die” Easter 2011

 The final mile of Christ’s life was filled with questions, tears,  instructions, announcements, faith, and passion. A happy crowd turned from friendly to an angry mob, from followers to abandoners. This journey sometimes mirrors our journey. Human relationships can be fickle and can’t always be trusted. Jesus however never wavered but focused his mission.  We will one day recapture the moment of this celebration, not on a Jerusalem road, but on a Street of Gold.  With palm leaves once again in our hands we’ll Crown Him the King of Kings. (Rev. 7:9)   

 

1.  Journey heading to Calvary

John 12:12-16  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. [14] And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, [15] Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. [16] These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

2.      Some were along for the ride. 

John 12:42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing {Him,} for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;

3.      Choices and destinations 

John 10:18 – “No  one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

4.      Priorities

John 12:23-28  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. [24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. [25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. [26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. [27] Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. [28] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. John 12:44-50

5.       Last Minute Instructions

John 12: 44-50   Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. [45] And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. [46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. [47] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. [49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

6. Praying for Us  

John 17:25-26   O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. [26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

7.      Realizing we are are home.

Rev. 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Christians it’s worth it all.

If you haven’t accpted Christ as your savior. He Invites you to walk the road to eternal life with him by faith.

Ask Christ into your heart today.

“Reconciled through the Death of His Son” Pastor Richard Daughtridge 04/10/11 Sermon Series Easter 2011 “Witnesses of those that watched Christ die.”

“Reconciled through the Death of His Son” Pastor Richard Daughtridge

“It is Finished”

Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly, this man was the Son of God.

Interesting statement from one that was to stand guard and see that the Roman law or justice system was carried out. The statement had nothing to do with Roman law but everything to do with God’s law. Justice was being announced by earth’s officer in charge of the crucifixion. (See John 3:16-17)

Justice?

Romans 5 NIV

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Four things to consider.  1.  Christ’s  Death 2. Christ’s  Resurrection 3. Do you believe? 4. What should my confession be?

Justice is served. A new law is given, God’s law of love.  Truly He is the Son of God. Truth demands a verdict.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today. Receive the free gift of eternal life.

Yes, Christ is offering you the gift of eternal life.

Then tell someone about your decision to follow Christ.

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

“Three Crosses and Three Convicted Criminals” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge 04/03/11 Sermon Series Easter 2011 “Witnesses of those that watched Christ die.”

Pastor Richard A. Daughtridge

“Three Crosses and Three Convicted Criminals” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Sermon Series Easter 2011 “Witnesses of those that watched Christ die.”

Today I want to share the testimonies of three condemned criminals. Their words and their life tell a greater story of mankind. Every story about the three tells a bigger story and each invites us to make a decision.  The plan was clear.

Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Mark 15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Luke 23:32 And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

Luke 23:39-40 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. [40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

A. The Cross in the Center was reserved for Barabbas.  (On it was a substitute)

Who was Barabbas?

Barabbas by definition of the greek word means  Son of Abba, which  interpreted means “daddy’s son.”

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

B. The cross on the left we’ll call the cross of Rebellion

1. Submit to His authority

2. Will of their own

3. Things seem foolish

C. The cross on the right was the cross of Repentance

1. He was a sinner

2. Capitol crime

3. Realized that he was guilty of sin

4. He was guilty, and justly punished for his deeds.

5. His desire was to turn from his sin.

6. Acted in his most desperate moment.

The Response from the Cross in the Middle

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Both heard and watched from the cross. The mockery in a way preached a number of sermons on who Christ was.  Their mocking questions deserve answers:

1. King of the Jews?

2. Builder of the Temple in Three Days?

3. Son of God?

4. King of Israel?

5. Christ a King?

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

It’s obvious we all identify with the cross in the middle. Like Barabbas we were given a pardon when condemned to die.

The question is will we Rebell (cross on the left) or will we Repent (cross on the right) and accept the gift of Eternal Life (offered on the center Cross) ?

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

John 3:16  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.

Announcement: Our Sunrise Service on Easter morning will begin at 7:15 AM.  Join us in the  for breakfast immediately following the service in the brick  building beside the church.