SERMON - PENTECOST LAST November 24, 2019
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SERMON - PENTECOST LAST November 24, 2019 Jesus Exercised His Divine Kingly Authority on the Cross • Jesus combined the three OT offices of prophet, priest and king. • When Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, they could not return. “He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.” — Genesis 3: 24 • On the cross on Golgotha, Jesus responded to the plea of the thief. “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” — Luke 23: 43 • By saying this, Jesus was exercising his authority as a divine King. < It was not a prayer but a pronouncement: “You will be with me.” < Only God had the authority to remove the sword that God had placed there. “God put there the flaming sword to guard Paradise. By his authority, Christ opened paradise and brought in the thief.” — Chrysostom “Who else could remove the flaming turning sword which was placed to guard the tree of life and the gate of paradise?” — Origen “The cross of Christ is the key to paradise.” — Jerome “Do not fear the flaming sword, because it stands in awe of its Lord.” — Cyril of Jerusalem • Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. < He is the “righteous Branch” from David and “King” prophesied by Jeremiah 23: 5. < “In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” — Colossians 1: 19 < “In him all things in heaven and on earth were created.” < — Colossians 1: 16 < “In him all things hold together.” — Colossians 1: 17 < “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” — Matthew 28: 18 • If we want to be right with the world, we follow him. We Should Follow the Example of the Penitent Thief • He acknowledged his own sinfulness – “condemned greatly.” — Luke 23: 41 • He acknowledged Jesus’ sinlessness — “has done nothing wrong.” — Luke 23: 41 • He simply turned to Jesus and asked for help. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” — Luke 23: 42 • Jesus gave him not just a kingdom but Paradise. • Moment by moment we should ask for Jesus’ grace. “Stretch out your arms toward the cross, so that the crucified Lord may stretch out his arms toward you.” — Ephrem the Syrian Amen..