The Culmination

Hi this is breathing welcome to the Salvation Army's words of life doesn't pick and choose when there's so much to fight against. Thanks for when others flee reverence toward and when darkness prevails. Love remembers his strength 156 years Salvation Army has left all feel lost.

With your help will never stop back the Salvation Army's words of life by Bernie Dake and I'm sure we are glad you're here. Yes were now in our third week of an Easter series with major roof, new. Also, in case you missed us measuring this a couple weeks ago. Ruth is doing the exact same series in Spanish are Spanish counterpart allowed us. They beat up so if you know anyone who may be interested. Let them know that they can visit Salvation Army sound cast.org to learn more and listen so very corrupt in Cuba and many of her earlier experiences certainly shaped a lot of her worldviews.

Throughout this series.

She shared some personal stories here and there to but it's just such a blessing to hear her perspective on so many issues in the world today and to start this episode she share something we certainly have in common a love of movies. I think that's pretty cool because I know a lot of people who have learned another language by watching television or movies, absolutely. My daughter does it Korean. Wow, that's very cool. Well, I think that this would be an incredible opportunity for us to hear roots perspective.

Having grown up in two cultures, absolutely. We look forward to my love of movies they mean by taking me to see those made in the Golden age of Hollywood but also those Japanese in Mexico sounds from that same time we also into the sentiment to seal the modern movies I still remember as if it was today, when the goodies premiered in Havana from watching so many movies. I realize certain similarities in their format.

Example during the introduction, also called exposition. Many of the inside of the plot, including the protagonists are introduced. Then comes the conflict, which is the problem percent in the story and those protagonists must solve action or development of the conflict, which ends in the climax or combination of the story. This is the highest point dramatically when everything is decided and were sometimes the protagonist ties achieving his purpose to this point in God's plan. We arrived at today's story.

The culmination let's read the passage. This is found in Matthew chapter 27 versus 32 to 38 and verses 25 to 51.

As they were going out. They met a man from Sirena named Simon and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull.

There they offered Jesus wanting to drink mix with vinegar but after tasting. He refused to drink it when they had crucified him. They divided up his clothes by casting lots and sitting down. They kept watch over him.

There above his head that plays that written charge against him. This is Jesus, the King of the Jews to rebels were crucified with him one on his right and one on his left from noon until three in the afternoon darkness came all over the land about three in the afternoon. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Lee and Lee limit setback Tommy, which means my God, my God, why have you forsaken me when some of those standing there heard this, they said he is calling Elijah immediately. One of them ran and got a sponge. He fielded with then a guard, putting on his staff and offered to Jesus to drink the rest said now leave them alone.

Let's see if Elijah comes to save him.

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was still wanting to from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split God's plan that began after the fall of humankind in Genesis culminated here in the cross but why so why did Jesus have to die.

The apostle Paul explains it perfectly. Jesus had to die to bear witness to the truth. The first thing verse of the series is John chapter 18 verse 37 and goes like this. The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. So what is this truth that Jesus speaks here. Pilate asked the same question in this very same passage what is truth. He asks Jesus himself answers this question in John 14 verse six Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

So Jesus is the truth and the truth is that he is the son of God.

Therefore, the only way to inherit heaven and to know God is to recognize that Jesus is God incarnate, or God made man during his ministry and earth, Jesus constantly bore witness to who he was in the Scriptures record this moment in various passages. For example, a couple of verses in John chapter 3 verses 11 and 32. Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen the steel you people do not accept our testimony.

In John chapter 7 verse seven. Jesus says the world cannot hate you.

He hates me because I testify that his works are evil.

And finally, John eight verse 14 Jesus answered, even if I testify on my behalf. My testimony is valid for I know where I came from and where I am going but you have no idea what I come from or where I'm going.

Despite his words and his miracles, many did not believe him as many do not believe today that he is the son of God, there is ample proof that Jesus is a historical character that many did not recognize his deity. Instead, they call them revolutionary or social fighter, all part of Satan's plan to denied the divinity of Jesus for centuries and centuries doctrines against the divinity of Jesus have tried to infiltrate the church and Christians have fought to keep them at bay. The enemy of our souls.

Ever since Jesus was born is in the business of distracting humankind with thoughts that challenged Christ's divinity, yet Christ Jesus is by nature God, this is what the apostle Paul says to the Philippians chapter 2 verses five and six and this truth is central to God's plan only by the sacrifice of God himself can we be rescued from Sam and death.

Which brings us to our second point, why did Jesus have to die to rescue the lost we can find the other thing verse for the serious in Galatians chapter 4 verses four and five. He reads the Windex set time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to son ship there was a problem in God sought a solution. The problem was death. As a consequence of sin. So the Lord decided to rescue us himself. Now every ransom pays a debt going back to the theme of movies we often see this theme of rescue and sacrifice. The protagonist knows that his partner will perish. So he negotiates his release by giving himself apart, giving up a trash or in exchange for the other person's life. There is no other way. And so God knew that to rescue us from condemnation to die. Christ had to die for us.

Galatians chapter 3 verse 13 reads Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole. That is why in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace. This is found in Ephesians chapter 1 verse seven and so God demonstrates his own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for arrest a man. This is found in Romans five verse eight and then the third reason that Jesus had to die is to open the path to heaven. The second part of Galatians 4, verse five says that we might receive adoption to son ship. The third purpose of Christ's sacrifice is for us to be part of God's family heirs of the promise given at creation eternal life with God as friend and Lord. That is the reason he wants to restore us to our original position as children of God. The passage continues by stating that the spirit of Christ in us, Christ sound God father, we are no longer slaves to sin and death.

But as children of God we are heirs of eternal life and happiness. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 14 reads this, the seal of the spirit guarantees our inheritance until a final redemption of God's purchase. People, to the praise of his glory. So by dying on the cross, Jesus opened the way for his father. If we read the last verse of this passage. The symbolism is striking. Matthew 2751 reads at that moment the curtain of the temple was stoning two from top to bottom. According to Exodus 26. The purpose of the curtain in the synagogue and later in the temple was to separate human beings from God. As a result of sin, men cannot enter the presence of God, who is supremely holy, so something had to break that barrier that would reconciles with God and reintegrate our heritage as sons and daughters. When Christ died on the cross. His body tore he sacrifice opened the way to reach God as a theologian. Good would say the tearing of the veil meant the removal of the separation between God and his people. That said, no more sacrifices is over the culmination of God's plan was that rescue and adoption of all lost children and you what response do you have to got sacrifice for you. You may have left a life away from God because you don't know that he will rescue you. The God of the universe and creating he wants to take you back to his house as a son and daughter may God fill you with blessings today and always, the Salvation Army's mission doing the most good means helping people with material and spiritual needs to become a part of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army visit Salvation Army USA.org to offer your support and love to hear from you. Email us@radiouss.salvationarmy.org or call 1-800-229-9965, write us at PO Box 29972, Atlanta, GA 30359 tell us how we can help share prayer request or share your testimony. Would love to use your story here. You can also subscribe to our show on iTunes store and surely give us a rating search for the Salvation Army's life always on social media for the latest episode extended abuse of more and if you don't have a church home. We invite you to visit your local sub worship center will be glad to see you join us next time for the Salvation Army life