Words from the Cross
Confidence
April 17, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
We now come to the last of the seven words spoken from the cross. As we examine this final utterance we find that it is mainly concerned with the divine Sonship of our Lord. So, in the word from the cross, we hear Jesus affirming His Sonship and saying "Father". If Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, then there is no message of the love of God in His life and death. Were we to read John 3:16 like this... "God so loved the world that He gave an archangel", it would have no appeal. It would be like a millionaire tossing a coin to a beggar in the street, costing him nothing. But when we read that "God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son", we are melted and moved. This Sunday we will see how important this Word of Confidence is to us who know Christ as our personal Savior.
Anguish
April 10, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
We stand once again at the foot of the cross. It is now midday. For three hours the suffering body of Jesus has been exposed to the burning rays of the sun. His tortured mind has been subjected to the taunts of a mean crowd and the assaults of the merciless powers of evil. The sun is at its height, yet darkness falls over the whole earth. It is a darkness that can be felt. We can imagine people returning to the city, with fright, as they say one to another, "Surely the judgement of God is about to fall upon us!" Suddenly a cry is heard through that midday midnight-cry of the Son of God, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) This Sunday we will look at what these Words of Anguish mean to us.
Affection
April 3, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
All month long, we've been looking at Jesus' words from the cross. We'll close the month of March with the Word of Affection, when Jesus looked at his mother and said, "Woman, behold thy son!" then speaking to John, He said, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27). This third word from the cross conjures up one of the most tender scenes on that all-eventful day. Four women and one man had edged their way up Mount Calvary until they were standing beneath the center cross where Jesus was. Stunned and silenced by all that had happened before their very eyes, they stood with broken hearts, helpless, listening. Would the Master speak again? If so, they wouldn't miss a word. This Sunday we'll look at the tender exchange between Jesus, Mary and John and be encouraged to be tenderly affectionate toward one another.
Finished
March 27, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
He is risen! He is risen indeed! This Easter Sunday we will look at the word of Triumph from the cross. The sun which has refused to shine, comes out from behind the clouds. Abraham, the Old Testament saints, and all the angels of heaven watch with expectation to witness God’s promised day of redemption. For those of us who have lived since the cross, we look back to it as the most significant and important day in the history of the world. Here in the final minutes of His life, we hear Jesus proclaim “It is finished”. The task is done. The Lamb has been sacrificed. The sin debt is paid. Matthew says he cried with a loud voice (Matthew 27:46). Today we want to loudly proclaim that Jesus has paid the price, our redemption is bought. Come to Jesus and receive His gift of salvation.
Assurance
March 20, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day that the city of Jerusalem waved palm tree branches with a hero’s welcome as Jesus rode into the city, just a few days before their cheers turned, and they cried out for His crucifixion. We will continue listening to the last words that Jesus spoke from the cross. The second word from the cross is Today. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise”, Luke 23:43. What a response of the Savior to the request from a sinner! Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One was saved, the other was lost. The Savior's response to the sinner's request is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. The cross was in the heart of God long before it was on Mount Calvary. It is a redemptive event for all time and eternity. This Sunday we will focus our attention on the dialogue between the Savior and the sinner who was saved.
Forgiveness
March 13, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
Easter's coming, so we'll be looking at the cross, and particularly Jesus' last words from the cross. The words Jesus spoke as He hung upon the cross are precious. Spikes had been driven through His hands and feet. The instrument of torture had been raised and allowed to fall into the ground with such force that all His bones were out of joint; He had been spat upon; His body had been lacerated with Roman whips; yet in excruciating pain, the first words that fell from his lips were those of forgiveness. "Father, forgive them" (Luke23:34). What a lesson for us! We become like our Savior when we forgive those who hurt us. May the Lord teach us, convict us, and strengthen us with this first message from the Words from the Cross.