The Power of the Cross (Part I), Outline

Knowing

Exodus 12 – Passover

• Exodus 12:4-7,12-13 – Blood was needed for God to pass over the house and bring new life
• Exodus 12:8 – Had to take in the dead lamb
  • 12:11 – “eat it in haste” 

Romans 5:1,9

• Blood justifies us in the sight of God
  • Gives us PEACE with God
  • Deals with the sins we’ve committed

Romans 5:19

• We commit sins because we are sinners
  • We are sinners because of Adam’s disobedience (v. 19)
    • Romans 3:23 – “all have sinned” shows the result of our nature
  • Ex: Spanish man born in U.S.

How did we become sinners?

• “through the one man’s disobedience” (Romans 5:19a)
  • Ex: Last name is not chosen, will not change.  
  • Ex: If grandfather died at age 3, I would never exist.  

How do we change?

• “through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19b)
  • In Christ we receive everything that is of Christ.

Romans 5:19-6:7

• 6:1 – our nature should be different
• Since we came in by birth, we must go out by death
  • Death is the secret: “we who died to sin” (v. 2)
  • Ex. Getting rid of alcohol.

How do we die?

• Romans 6:3 – our death is found in Jesus’ death
• Romans 6:6 – crucifixion
  • Impossible to commit suicide by crucifixion

How do we get “into Christ Jesus”?

• 1 Corinthians 1:27-30
  • “you are in Christ Jesus” (v. 30)
  • “By God’s doing” (v. 30)
  • We must accept this as a divine fact
• In Hebrews 7, all of Israel was included in Abraham collectively (even though they hadn’t been born)
• 2 Corinthians 5:14 – when Jesus was crucified, all of us were crucified there with Him
  • The Church is called Christ’s Body (Colossians 1:24)
  • Ex: Paper inside book.
• Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 6:14
  • All references in New Testament to being crucified are in the Greek aorist (the “once-for-all” tense, the “eternally past” tense)
• Impossible to commit suicide by crucifixion
  • God had to put us in Christ

1 Corinthians 15:45,47

• Beginning of letter shows us we are “in Christ”
• Jesus = “the last Adam”
  • Relates to His death
  • Crucified as the last Adam
    • We were included (Rom. 6:5)
    • We died with Him as last Adam
• Jesus = “the second Man”
  • He is the head of a new race
  • Relates to his resurrection
  • Resurrected as second Man
    • We were included (Rom. 6:5)
    • We live with him as the second Man
• Cross translates us from Adam to Christ

2 Corinthians 5:14,17

• Out of death there is brought new creation (the second Man)
• If we are “in Adam” we naturally act sinful, if we are “In Christ” all that is in Christ comes by free grace

How does the truth of our death become real in our experience?

Romans 6-8…

1. KNOWING (Romans 6:6)
2. RECKONING (Romans 6:11)
3. PRESENTING OURSELVES TO GOD (Romans 6:13)
4. WALKING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT (Romans 8:4)

KNOWING

Romans 6:6

• In Jesus’ death we all died
  • We cannot have justification if we have not seen Jesus bearing our sins on the Cross; we cannot have sanctification if we have not seen him bearing us on the Cross
  • Sins have been laid on Him, we ourselves have been put into Him.
  • How did you receive forgiveness and deliverance?
    • Faith/realization
    • Ps. 106:12: All that is left is praise
• “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)…“Our old man was crucified with him” (Romans 6:6)… “We died with Christ” (Romans 6:8)

When?

• Romans 6:6 – when Christ died, you died too
  • Hebrews 7:9-10
  • Exodus 12:11

How do we know?

• Why do you believe that Jesus was crucified?
  • Bible says (John 19:33)
• Why do you believe two thieves were crucified with Jesus?
  • Bible says (John 19:32)
• Why believe you have died with Christ?
  • Bible says (Romans 6:6)
• “It does not depend on your feelings.  If you feel that Christ has died, he has died; and if you do not feel that he has died, he has died.  If you feel that you have died, you have died; and if you do not feel that you have died, you have nevertheless just as surely died.  These are divine facts.  That Christ has died is a fact, that the two thieves have died is a fact, and that you have died is a fact also.  Let me tell you, You have died!  You are done with!  You are ruled out!  The self you loathe is on the Cross in Christ.  And “he that is dead is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7).  This is the Gospel for Christians.” (Nee)

How are you delivered from sin?

Romans 6:6-7

• Luke 23:18,21 – crucifixion = “away with this man”
• Ex: Abusive husband dies.
  • Romans 6:7
• Man tries to be stronger and stronger, God’s way is to make you weaker and weaker

 “Knowing this…” (Romans 6:6)

What is knowledge of this?

*  Ephesians 1:15-23

*  Revelation…eyes of the heart need to be opened

• Ex: Watchman Nee’s revelation.
• Ex: Getting into room we’re already in.
• Ex: Thermos flask.
• Prayers should turn to praise

*  Galatians 2:20

Hudson Taylor writes…

“Here, I feel, is the secret: not asking how I am to get sap out of the Vine into myself, but remembering that Jesus is the Vine – the root, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruit, all indeed.”

“I have not got to make myself a branch.  The Lord Jesus tells me I am a branch.  I am part of him and I have just to believe it and act upon it.  I have seen it long enough in the Bible, but I believe it now as a living reality.”

“I do not know how far I may be able to make myself intelligible about it, for there is nothing new or strange or wonderful – and yet, all is new!  In a word, ‘whereas once I was blind, now I see.’…I am dead and buried with Christ – aye, and risen too and ascended…God reckons me so, and tells me to reckon myself so.  He knows best…Oh, the joy of seeing this truth – I do pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know and enjoy the riches freely given us in Christ.”

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References:  “Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee