THE RADICAL CHANGE THAT COMES THROUGH THE WAY OF THE CROSS

A Message by Pastor Michael Palmer

Given to Green Ridge Baptist Church

November 1, 2009

THE RADICAL CHANGE THAT COMES THROUGH

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

John 12:23-36

I. JESUS DIED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE—OUR SUBSTITUTE— ON THE CROSS

Ø See these Scriptures

Mark 10:45 Romans 5:6-8,18

2 Corinthians 5:21 Galatians 3:13

Titus 2:13-14 1 Peter 3:18

Ø Jesus saves all who come to Him by taking the wrath meant for them. This transaction is a deep life-changing transaction that takes place at the time of genuine repentance and belief in Christ alone.

II. JESUS’ DEATH FOR ALL MANKIND WAS MEANT TO PRODUCE A HARVEST OF SPIRITUAL FRUIT

HE MADE THE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW GOD

· Many would and many will come.

· Many can still come today!

WHEN PEOPLE DO REPENT AND BELIEVE, THERE IS A LIFETIME HARVEST OF THE CHANGED LIFE

· Character change

· Attitude changed

· The will is continually broken

· Ongoing admission of need for Jesus

· The joy of forgiveness is a way of life

· Development of a “walk” with Jesus—trust and obey (more about these changes later)

WHEN PEOPLE GENUINELY REPENT AND BELIEVE, THE RESULT WILL ALWAYS BE A “FOLLOWING” AFTER JESUS (vs. 26)

III. JESUS’ DEATH FOR ALL MANKIND WAS ALSO THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW ALL PEOPLE MUST COME TO HIM

Ø In order to come to Jesus, there must be a renunciation of the “self life.” One must see himself/herself as they truly are.

· Sin must be acknowledged (admitted).

· Godly sorrow as the result of conviction of sin must be present.

· THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE HEART MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

· Every person is DEPRAVED

q Our intellect is blinded (2 Cor. 4:4; Rom. 1:28; Eph. 4:18)

q Our emotions are degraded and defiled (Rom. 1:21ff; Titus 1:15)

q Our will is enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:20, 7:20)

Ø Total depravity means that corruption extends to every facet of man’s nature and faculties, and that there is nothing in anyone that can commend him to a righteous God. (Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, p. 253)

Ø In our culture today, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to acknowledge this truth—DEPRAVITY. And this is a MAJOR problem for churches as they seek out specific strategies for their respective churches. Any strategy that does not call for repentance—or teach why there is a need for repentance—is flawed. Man must see God’s holiness and then see his own impure heart and life in order to understand his need.

IV. WE MUST GIVE UP OUR CONTROL, OUR EFFORT, AND OUR “HYPOCRITICAL GOODNESS” IN ORDER TO BE SAVED—WE MUST REPENT OF OUR SIN

· We can’t repent of sin in general.

· Sin is our specific control of our lives.

· Sin is our past rejection of Jesus’ Lordship.

· Sin is the filth and wrong attitudes in our heart.

· When we really see sin for what it is, conviction will crush us and we will cry out to Jesus and be broken that He even offers us forgiveness through His death!

Ø The way to be saved is THE WAY OF THE CROSS – the way of death to self and resurrection to new life by the very power of God!

Ø WE DO NOT ADD JESUS ON TO OUR LIFE. WE DIE AND HE BECOMES OUR LIFE!

V. WHEN A PERSON TRULY EXCHANGES HIS/HER LIFE FOR THE LIFE OF CHRIST, A NEW LIFE IS THE RESULT

1. A new life pattern is set in place.

2. The Bible calls it being born again.

John 3:3 Ephesians 2:1,5

1 John 2:29 John 1:12

1 Peter 1:23 Titus 3:5

3. Paul said we are “new creations in Christ Jesus” – 2 Cor. 5:17

· The dead spirit is regenerated or made alive.

· There is union with Christ.

· Our new nature affects everything—our mind, our will, our emotions.

· The very core of one’s being has been changed.

4. We love Jesus and desire to have fellowship with Him.

5. We love Jesus and desire to obey Him – “let him follow me” (vs. 26). Also see John 14:21-21.

6. We desire to bring others to Jesus Christ – see 2 Cor. 5:14ff “the love of Christ constrains us.”

7. We desire to learn from Him through His Word. We love the Word of God. We feed on the Word. 1 Pet. 2:2 “as newborn babes desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

8. The message of the gospel is understood more clearly and it is integrated into all of one’s life.

Let’s bring it into focus. Here’s what will happen if you repent and give your life WITHOUT ANY RESERVATION to Jesus:

· You will never get over being forgiven through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ.

· You will be changed again and again as you learn the Way of the Cross as the ONLY way of life.

· You will love Jesus more and more.

· You will serve God.

· You will see God’s hand at work. “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor”!

· You will enter into God’s purpose for our lives.

· Your focus will become sharper as you mature in Christ (not necessarily related to age). You will want to count for the kingdom.

· You will want your local church to count for the kingdom—less tolerance for ineffective programs or ministries. You will want to make sure the gospel is not compromised!

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THIS RADICAL CHANGE IF YOU REPENT AND YIELD TO JESUS TODAY!

Dear Lord Jesus, I recognize that You are God. You died on the cross in my place and rose again proving Your love for me. I need You, Lord. I am a sinner and I can do nothing for myself. Lord, I repent of my sin and stubbornness right now; take my life Lord Jesus. Please save me; please forgive me; come into my heart and change me. I receive You right now as MY Savior and MY Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, I humbly ask you to come forward now as we sing our invitational hymn, and tell one of the pastors (or other counselors) at the altar. Let us help you to know what to do next as you being to grow in Christ.

If you already know Christ but would like to serve Him here through the Green Ridge church family, please step out and let one of the pastors know.

If you have questions and would like a pastor to call you, please fill out a card (in the back of the pew) and put on there that you would like a pastor to call you. Then give the card to an usher as you leave today.