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Welcome & Introductions
VIDEO: Why did Jesus die?
VIDEO REVIEW
Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity?
““... the Son of God... loved me and gave himself for me.””
The Problem
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
• Pollution of sin (Mark 7:20–23) • Power of sin (John 8:34)
• Penalty for sin (Romans 6:23) • Partition of sin (Isaiah 59:2)
The Solution
• “The self-substitution of God” (1 Peter 2:24) • Agony of the cross (Isaiah 53:6)
The Result
The cross shows:
You are infinitely valuable to God.
Jesus is the supreme example of love. (John 15:13)
God is not aloof from suffering.
The powers of evil have been defeated: the resurrection wasn’t the reversal of a defeat; it was the manifestation of a victory.
The partition has been removed (2 Corinthians 5:19) Reconciliation with God and in other relationships
The penalty has been paid
Justified (“Just-as-if-I’d never sinned”)The power of sin has been broken
“If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36, NLT)The pollution has been removed
“... the blood of Jesus, ... purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
When you are forgiven, you want to forgive.
GROUP DISCUSSION
“We all more or less agree that humans have a basic sense of what is “right” or “wrong” (though we certainly disagree on the details).
What solutions do we find in our culture to handle this dilemma?
What solutions does this video point to?”
WRAP UP AND PRAY
RECOMMENDED READING
The Cross of Christ / John Stott
Why Does God Allow Suffering? / Nicky Gumbel
Unreachable / Darrell Tunningley
Mud, Sweat and Tears / Bear Grylls
Why Jesus? / Nicky Gumbel
The Hiding Place / Corrie Ten Boom