The Cross, Pt. 3

• Watch Sermon
• Listen to Sermon

Study Notes

1. The Immediate Effect
   1. At the Temple.
      The enormous curtain in the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. God had opened the way. This had immediate and eternal ramifications. See Hebrews 10:19-25.
   2. On the Earth
      The earth quaked, rocks were split in two and graves were cracked open. Three days later, some of those occupants were revivified and did some "visitation."
   3. In the People
      Soldiers acknowledged that Jesus was more than merely human. Bystanders grieved the actions of the day. The compassionate and courageous women persevered to the end of the day.
2. The Long-Term Effects
   1. Because of the cross...and our union with Christ, there are two deaths, two burials and two resurrections. Water baptism (by immersion) is the believer's confession of personal faith in this two-fold reality.
   2. Because of the cross...and our union with Christ, the believer is justified. This means the believer has standing with God because of Christ. The believer is accepted as Jesus is accepted!
   3. Because of the cross...and our union with Christ, there are two options when we are tempted. Since we are dead to sin we can (and should) say no to whatever is contrary to God's ways. We can do this because of the cross! See Romans 6:1-12.

Conclusion

1. Has the cross affected your standing with God?
2. Is the cross having any effect on your struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil?