THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

22 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Galatians 6:14

 A VIDEO MESSAGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG0wkP7Oi5o&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw

TAKE UP THY CROSS AND FOLLOW ME... A HYMN OF SACRIFICE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0oT7UcWHig&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw&index=3

REFLECTION:

It was a calculated commitment.  The Apostle, writing in the Spirit and under the inspiration of the Spirit, meant what he wrote.  It was true in every sense and in every tense.

Raised as a "Hebrew of the Hebrews," a Pharisee educated by the finest Jewish scholars of his day, the Apostle had every right to be proud of his ancestry, his education, and his position in the Jewish church. But when the Light of the World struck that proud persecutor to the ground, his life's purpose was radically changed.  He testified, "What things were gain to me I counted loss for Christ." (Philippians 3:7).

His commitment was no one day affair.  Nor was it just for a season.  It was a daily consecration of his body "a living sacrifice," (Romans 12:1), his soul "none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy" (Acts 20:24), and his spirit "ye are bought with a price...therefore glorify God in your spirit..." (1 Corinthians 6:20).

From Straight Street (The home of Ananias in Damascus where the scales fell from his eyes, Acts 9:11) to the Ostian Way (The traditional site outside of Rome where the Apostle was beheaded), travelling thousands of miles--an Ambassador for Christ--He "fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith!" 

THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE...FOR TIME AND FOR ETERNITY!

When sin entered the world the gates to the garden of Eden were closed forever to Adam and Eve.  If there had been no cross the gates to glory would have been closed forever to every lost son and daughter of Adam’s race!  BUT THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!  “It twas on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me!... So I’ll cherish the Old Rugged Cross!” It was the Cross that opened to way to the joys of heaven for all eternity.

But the Cross not only makes the difference in eternity, it makes the difference in time! Had there been no cross humanity would have been immediately extinct and the joy of living and knowing Christ would have never been realized.  Had there been no cross no one would have experienced the relief of sins forgiven!  Had there been no cross no one would have known the power of Christ’s Spirit within!  Had there been no cross there would have    been no victory over sin, and death, and hell! 

THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE...FOR ONE AND FOR ALL!

All of human history was altered by the Cross of Christ.  If you think our world is wicked today, it is simply impossible to imagine how dreadful humanity would be without the sanctifying power of the Cross.  But THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!  In the name of the Christ of Calvary human civilization reached its apex.  Wherever the Cross Cause advances around the globe, human suffering is alleviated, ignorance is supplanted with knowledge, hatred is transformed into charity, and humanity is endued with divinity.

And the CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE not only “for all,” but for one, and then another one, and then another one!  By the power of the Cross addicts are set free from life threatening habits.  By the power of the Cross defeat is converted to triumph!  By the power of the Cross, hatred is banished and divine love is exalted!  By the power of the Cross, despair is transformed into mighty faith!  And by the power of the Cross, sinners are liberated to walk in victory. 

“Yes the Old Rugged Cross makes the difference! 
In a life bound for heartache and defeat!
 I will praise Him forever and ever!
For the Cross makes the difference for me!”    (Gaither)

THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE...FOR YOU AND FOR ME!

It is amazing that our world is so profoundly ignorant of the difference the Cross made, is making, and will make forever.

I love testimonies!  I met a lady who told me that she was at the verge of self-destruction.  Her marriage had failed.  Her children were disappointing to her.  Her life seemed meaningless. She visited a mega church with its Starbucks coffee bar and rock and roll music, but left empty and longing for more.  The church was “cool” but it left her heart “cold.” 

Then someone invited her to a Gospel preaching holiness church.  She wept her way forward to an altar of prayer and poured her heart out to God as the saints of God gathered around.  She rose from that place of prayer a new person.  Gone were her fears!  Gone was her sense of worthlessness!  Gone was her despair!  Ah, THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

 I went to pray with a man in the hospital.  He told me that many years ago he had been running as fast and as far as he could run from God.  His praying Grandmother would not give up.  She prayed, “Oh God, hold my grandson over the fires of hell if that what it takes to get his attention, but don’t let him go!”  The man was a heavy drinker.  He was a chain smoker.  He was into fast cars and honky tonk music.  But God heard his saintly grandmother’s prayers.  The Hound of Heaven pursued him until finally he could run no more!  Convicted of his sins, convinced of his need for Christ, he was gloriously converted as he sought the Lord at home in his garage.  He has never been the same!  THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

That cross made and is making the difference for me too!  Oh I am so glad Jesus cried, "Father forgive!"  The words of the song are my testimony:

The sweetest words He ever said were "I forgive!"
The stain of sin was wiped away and I could life!
Oh I like the part where He told about a mansion He would give
But the sweetest words He ever said were "I forgive!"

LET US PRAY:
Father in Heaven, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost!  For the gift of heaven's best, to redeem earth's worst, we cannot adequately express the depth of our gratitude.  We pray that every man-made spiritual prop we have created will be seen for what it is--inadequate and prideful.  May we like the Apostle count all things loss!  May we glory not in our self-righteousness, but in that righteousness which is ours through the shed blood of the Savior.  May we always glory in the Cross of Christ, and die crucified to the world.  All that we are or ever hope to be, we owe it all to thee!  "Our Father & etc."

LINKS FOR YOUR INTERESTFaith Community Church www.FCCStLouis.org
Pastor Rick Jones' Blog www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
Pastor Rick Jones You-Tube www.youtube.com/user/rmjones58
Pastor Dennis Skinner http://bloomingtoncrusaders.org/
Pastor Marsh Jones http://www.fccurbana.org/