Amazing Grace | 3 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
0 likes•628 views
When we contemplate the Cross, it gives us reason to celebrate God’s amazing grace – His love, kindness and forgiveness made available through Christ’s death at no cost to us.
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (19)
Similar to Amazing Grace | 3 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
Similar to Amazing Grace | 3 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk (20)
More from Hatfield Christian Church
More from Hatfield Christian Church (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Amazing Grace | 3 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
- 1. Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- 3. LUKE 23:42-43 NIV Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- 4. DEATH, LIFE & GRACE
- 5. Embracing His death opens the door to life!
- 6. GRACE God’s love, kindness & forgiveness given through Christ’s death on the cross at no cost to us.
- 8. Judgment to release grace!
- 10. STAND IN GRACE
- 12. AMAZING GRACE Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
- 13. AMAZING GRACE ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
- 14. AMAZING GRACE The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
- 15. AMAZING GRACE When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun
Editor's Notes
- Date: 3 April 2015 – Good Friday service Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- Introduction To sum up the true meaning of Easter weekend: On Good Friday (Horrible Friday for Him) we remember how Jesus was crucified for our sins, and on Sunday we celebrate His resurrection! On this Good Friday I want to speak about death and life as well as the amazing grace that stands between these two realities – God’s vehicle that transports us from death to life.
- Text: Luke 23:42-43 (NIV) Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- Death, life and grace Most people do not like to talk about death. It is much too final and fearful. On this Good Friday however, we must talk about it. In a spiritual sense we cannot talk about life unless we embrace His death. I am not referring to death in general, but specifically to Jesus’ death on the cross. The death we celebrate today is different – it leads to life!
- When you embrace this death you will find that it opens the door to life. Not only good life or long life, but also eternal life with Jesus. It is quality life. Grace made this transition possible. What makes this grace so amazing is that we did not earn it, work for it or deserve it – God gave it freely.
- A simple definition of God’s grace is God’s love, kindness and forgiveness given through Christ’s death on the cross at no cost to us.
- 2. Contrasts of the Cross At times like these, it is good to pause and consider the realities of Jesus’ death on the cross! ‘The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.’ Mark 15: 16-37 (NIV) It is not meant to be used as shock tactic, but rather calls us to make a reality adjustment. Much of the violence portrayed on screens is void of reality in terms of its impact and effect. We’ve become desensitised to violence and crime due to over-exposure through console games, TV programmes, movies and daily news. The deaths portrayed on these platforms are more often than not senseless. This stands in stark contrast to the death we consider on Good Friday. His death was filled with purpose. Let’s not allow this desensitising to cause us to miss the importance of the death of Jesus on the cross. Unlike any movie scene, Jesus’ death was real and brutal. In the same way as the slaughtering of any animal, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was bloody. He was God’s Lamb led to the slaughter. There was real suffering, pain, shame and loss of dignity. Considering the Cross is not meant to evoke sympathy or pity, but rather to show the contrast of what God wants to offer us through the horror of the cross. Note the contrasts: Jesus’ death on the cross was brutal, yet it paid for God’s tenderness towards us. It was violent so that we may have peace. It was unjust so that we may be justified! It was fuelled by hatred so that we may experience God’s endless love.
- It carried judgment so that we may receive amazing grace! God wants us to consider the Cross in its awfulness so that the contrast of His grace can deeply minister and impact us. May it fill you with thankfulness for His amazing grace!
- 3. Celebrate God’s grace God’s grace gives us reason to celebrate! The following facts about God’s grace really changed my life: Level ground – He was crucified on a hill, but at the foot of that cross His grace made for level ground. At the foot of the Cross all people are equal, all people are important and cared for by God on the basis of His grace. I realised that I am important to God irrespective of my background. Forgiveness and freedom – I am forgiven and set free! Mercy and pardon – I have received His mercy and pardon. My death sentence has been set aside. It has been changed to a life sentence – a life of fullness and abundance (remember the thief on the cross). Completion – When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished” on the cross, finality was reached. The price of sin was paid in full and forever. His task was completed. Once we understand and accept this completion, it brings a tremendous sense of security. There is nothing outstanding – the debt has been paid! Acceptance – I am accepted and adopted by God and brought into His family. I belong. I am a child of God. May you discover and celebrate God’s grace anew as you consider Jesus’ death on the cross.
- 4. Stand in grace! God’s grace shown on the cross has great power. It can literally keep us standing. Grace is a lifeline and the anchor of our souls and has kept people standing through the most difficult times. If you are facing a trying situation, look at the Cross and allow waves of God’s grace to flood your soul. It will keep you standing safe and secure in the fiercest storms, and in the midst of shaking. Conclusion When I look at Jesus on the cross, I cannot help but stand in awe of His amazing grace! I trust you will stand with me and let it fill your being with new passion and devotion to live for Him.