Flint: The Cross

Mk 15:16-24, Lk 23:32-49
The physical aspects of crucifixion were intense and terribly painful.
The cross is not a story of tragic defeat, but one of priceless victory.
Jn 19:30 He gave his life willingly.
Lk 19:10 He came to seek and save the lost.
Isa 53 5-10 He paid the price for our sins.
2Cor 5 :17-21 He became sin for us, took our sin upon himself.
Col 2:13-14 We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive through the death and resurrection of Christ. Our sins were nailed to the cross - the book of our sins was nailed to the cross.
Rev 20:11-15 Those whose names are not in the book of life, are thrown into the lake of fire.
Three responses:
Lk 23:48 People had an emotional response.
Lk 23:35-39 People mocked Jesus.
Lk 23:40-42 People realized Jesus was exactly who he said he was, and his blood was shed for them, and they were saved.

Flint: The betrayal and the denial

A walk through the trial of Jesus.
The betrayal: Mt 26:45-56, Lk 22:51
6 trials - half Jewish, half Roman.  All trials were unfair. First 3 trials took place at night, which was illegal. The Jews did not follow any of their own laws about trials.
Trial 1: Annas: Jn 18:12-13, 19-24
Trial 2: Caiaphas: Mk 14:53-65
Trial 3: Sanhedrin: Lk 22:66-71
Trial 4: Roman governor Pilate: Jn 18:28-38
Trial 5: Herod: Lk 23:6-12
Trial 6: Pilate: Mt 27:15-26
All of this fulfilled prophecy: Isa 50:6-7
All of this is true, Jesus did all of this for me, for us.

Flint: The cup and the garden

Jesus had such strength and power, compassion and love. There are so many stories that tell about these characteristics.
Mt 26:36-46 This story speaks of Jesus being overwhelmed and in agony.
Heb 4:14-15; 5:2, 7-9 Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses and temptation.
- This passage really highlights the ugliness of our sin. Our sin and God's wrath were in the cup that overwhelmed him. When he embraced that cup, he knew that there would be separation between himself and his Father.
- This passage highlights the incredible love of Jesus. v39, 42 He was willing to take on the cup because of his love for us.
- This passage highlights the love of the Father. v39, 42 The Father said nothing. He let his love for us overrule his love for his Son, Jesus. God allowed his Son to become sin. 2Cor 5:21; Isa 53:5-6, 10; Jn 3:16

Flint: The Last Supper

Lk 22:14-16

Jesus eagerly desired to spend this last supper with his disciples, even though they were common, imperfect men: ones who doubted and denied him, were impulsive and focused on themselves, sinners, those who betrayed him, were religious but had no true relationship with Jesus.

These are the people Jesus wanted around him, knowing exactly who they were. 

God wants us and loves us, just the way we are. He furiously longs to know us. 

Flint: The Triumphal Entry

Therefore I have set my face like flint. Isa 50:7
Lk 9:51 Jesus resolutely went to Jerusalem. Isa 50 :5-7

The Triumphal Entry. Lk 19:28-44
v 30, 32 The king could commandeer things he needed. Jesus used this rule to obtain the donkey. Zac 9:9
v 35-36 He came in as a king would do
v 37-38 The people praised him, thinking he would be an earthly king that would save them from the Romans
v 39-41, John 12:12-14, 12:17-19, Jesus' entry was bothersome for the Pharisees. Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept for those who did not understand or know Him.
1. Jesus is God, all-knowing and all-powerful. CS Lewis - Lord, liar, or lunatic. As we read this scene, we must decide for ourselves if Jesus is God.
2. Many were close to salvation, but they missed it completely. People today do the exact same thing, and miss out on salvation.
3. Jesus will be worshipped, now and forever! v 40 In this moment, Jesus does not stop the people's praise, he embraces it. Jesus loves us unconditionally, not based on anything we do.

Connecting With Others by Scott Drachnik

Mt 9:35-38
1. See the eyes and heart of Jesus.
v 36 What Jesus saw made him feel a certain way. Ps 34:15-18 What Jesus saw moved him to action. Sometimes we can't see beyond our own needs. Phil 2:4 Get my eyes of myself, and into the needs of others. 1 John 4:20
- as Christ followers, we are to reflect the eyes and heart of Jesus
- don't just look at our own needs
2. The perspective of Jesus
v 36, Lk 5:29-32 People are the main purpose of our lives. All people are created in the image of God. Ps 23 The Lord is my shepherd. Mt 11:28-30
3. The prayer of Jesus.
v 37-38 C.S. Lewis said, "we don't pray to change God, we pray so God can change us."
- Jesus is Lord of the harvest. Just as the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends us.

327 Blank Pages by Rick Tucker

Phil 3:13-14 Press on toward the goal for which God has called you.
If God forgave Saul, he will forgive us.
Each one of us have 327 Blank Pages (days) before us in 2015.
Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ, and become more like him.
Ezra is a good example of this. Ezra 7:10 Ezra was devoted to the study of the Word, and teaching it to others. (Ezra's story in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah)
Satan wants to defeat us, but if we go to church, home teams, memorize/quote scripture, read and study the Word, meditate on the Word day and night, and obey, and Satan will have a very difficult time defeating us.