This Week at Hope – At the Cross at the Cross where I first saw the light
Brothers and Sisters,
What is God’s desire for Hope Baptist Church? It is that we, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, that we would find all our satisfaction in the accomplishments of the cross of Christ. The centerpiont of the bible and the purpose of history is the cross of Christ. It is here that God’s passion to be reconciled with rebellious sinners is expressed in most graphic terms. He loves to save sinners. The scriptures before John 19 point to the cross, and the scriptures after it point back. They all paint a picture of the glory that is to come for all eternity.
Here is the big news. Our church is at the beginning of a journey through the diamond faceted beauties of the accomplishments of Christ on the cross. On Sunday we are starting, what will prove to be a multi-Sunday focus on the glories, benefits and the multitudes of happinesses the Cross of Jesus Christ has secured for us. We are going to take a deep and lengthy plunge.
The Bible speaks extensively about the Cross. On Sunday, we will begin with an exposition of the moments these blessings were secured. Our scripture focus on Sunday will be John 19:17-30. As you review this individually and with your families, notice some of the high points below. Each one carries tremendous significance for our church and her focus in times like these.
With so much up in the air, and with all the difficult questions, and contradictory medical and political voices, what we need is the steadying knowledge of the power of the cross of Jesus ChristHis ostracism – Led outside the camp – Made sin for us, v17
- His companions – Two criminals, v18
- His title, v19-22
- His garments, v23-24
- His family and friends, v25-27
- His thirst, v28-29
- His satisfaction – completion of His work, v30
After this exposition of this text, we will begin a series of studies in the Glories of the Cross in the weeks to come. I don’t know how long it will be but we will linger.
Go to the Hope web site for the livestream instructions.
We will have a time of sharing again on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 as we did last week using the Webex link
Here are the songs we will be singing,
- Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
- Beneath the Cross of Jesus
- Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Man of Sorrows
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would make my stand
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land
A home within the wilderness a rest upon the way
From the burning of the noon-tide heat and the burden of the day
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me
And from my smitten heart, with tears, two wonders I confess:
The wonder of His glorious love, and my unworthiness
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss
My sinful self, my only shame, my glory all the cross
Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
‘Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, ’tis He, ’tis He!
‘Tis the long expected prophet,
David’s Son, yet David’s Lord;
By His Son now God has spoken
‘Tis a true and faithful Word.
Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning,
Was there ever grief like His?
Friends through fear His cause disowning,
Foes insulting His distress:
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.
Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.
Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood
See, from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a present far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Man of Sorrows
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry:
Now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!