Good Friday – The Cross IS the Victory!

“Good” Friday

Good is an old way to say

For nearly 2 millennia the symbol of Christianity is not an empty tomb, but a . Why?

Hebrews 10:3–10 (NLT) ³ But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. ⁴ For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.

But you have given me a body to offer.

⁶ You were not pleased with burnt offerings

or other offerings for sin.

⁷ Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—

as is written about me in the Scriptures…’ ”

¹⁰ For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

When Jesus DIED on the Cross:

·       The barrier between us and God was removed.

Matthew 27:50-51 (NIV) ⁵⁰  And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

·       The peace so many millions have found in Jesus is offered to us because of the Cross

 Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) ⁵  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

·       The Victory (over spiritual rulers and authorities) was won on the Cross

 Colossians 2:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴  [Jesus] canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

·       Jesus destroyed the Devil’s power – And won our freedom – on Friday

 Hebrews 2:14–15 (NLT) ¹⁴ Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. ¹⁵ Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

·       He purchased our freedom and forgave our sins with blood

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT) ⁷  [God] is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

·       Curses were broken, and Blessings were extended

 Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV) ¹³  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” ¹⁴  He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

·       His death, not his resurrection, is what brings us to God

 1 Peter 3:18a (NIV) ¹⁸  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…

·       The love of God is shown not by the empty tomb, but by the death of his Son

 Romans 5:8-9 (NLT) ⁸  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

·       The key to living a Christian life is found in the Cross

 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

²⁴ He personally carried our sins

in his body on the cross

so that we can be dead to sin

and live for what is right.

By his wounds

you are healed.

It’s not surprising that the All-Powerful God

can make the dead live again.

But it IS surprising that the All-Powerful God

would consent to die.

He did it to end all  – without ending us.

The Resurrection was .

Like a rock submerged by the waves.

·       All of Heaven praises Jesus, the Lamb of God, because he was…

 Revelation 5:9-12 (NIV) ⁹  And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…”

¹¹  Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹²  In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

·       Because of the death of Jesus, you can be friends with God

 Romans 5:10-11 (NLT) ¹⁰  Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies… ¹¹  So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

YOU are invited to become friends with God through Jesus.

Honor and worship Him for his Sacrifice to make it possible.