Apprehension to the Cross

Introduction: This morning, we move on from the GARDEN and make our way to the CROSS. We stand at the foot of the CROSS—a place of deep sorrow yet profound victory. The passage we will focus on this morning brings us to the darkest hour of humanity, as creation itself trembled under the weight of Christ’s suffering.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:45–54

THE 3-REALITIES OF THE TURNING POINT OF THE CROSS

I. THE DARKNESS OF APPREHENSION AT THE CROSS

a.  The DARKNESS OF APPREHENSION at the CROSS was caused by the Weight of Sin.

    i.    Matthew 27:45: “Now from the sixth hour there was DARKNESS over all the land unto the ninth hour.”

b.  How should we RESPOND:

    i.    ACKNOWLEDGE the Weight of Sin in our own lives.

        ii.    CONFESS our SINS and turn to Christ for Forgiveness.

        iii.    ACCEPT that without Jesus, we are in spiritual DARKNESS, that through Him, we find the Light of

Salvation.

II. THE ACTIVE CRY OF REDEMPTION AT THE CROSS

a.  It is the CROSS that divides all HUMANITY.

i. Matthew 27:50-51 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a LOUD VOICE, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”

b.  IT MEANS WE CAN:

i.    TRUST in the finished work of Christ.

    ii.    APPROACH God boldly in prayer, knowing that Christ has made a way.

    iii.    LIVE in the FREEDOM of GRACE, no longer bound by FEAR or condemnation.

III. THE ASSURANCE IN THE DECLARATION MADE AT THE CROSS

a.  Jesus said, “It is FINISHED,” and it was FINISHED.

i.    Matthew 27:54 “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

b.  HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND:

i.    DECLARE Jesus as Lord with confidence.

ii.    SHARE the message of salvation with others.

    iii.    CARE by showing the love of Christ.

IV. CONCLUSION

a.  The CROSS was THE TURNING POINT in history where the APPREHENSION of SIN was transformed into the ASSURANCE of SALVATION.

b.  Today, we stand in the VICTORY of Christ’s finished work.