A prophetic look at the cross

Topics: Jesus, cross, God

I. Intense agony

1. Review Psalm 22:1-5
2. Now from the sixth-hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:45, 46).

II. Feeling alone

1. Review Psalm 22:6-10
2. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1b-3).

III. Shocking sacrifice

1. Review Psalm 22:11-18
2. But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And in as much as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (Hebrews 9:26b-28).

IV. Resilient faith

1. Review Psalm 22:19-24
2. But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand (Isaiah 53:10).

V. Undeniable victory

1. Review Psalm 22:25-31
2. "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades" . . . He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new" (Rev. 1:17b, 18; 21:5a).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, November 6^th, 2022

Life group flow and discussion questions

A prophetic look at the cross

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. Make the Passion of our Lord a focus of praise and thanksgiving in your Life Group.

Getting Started:

1. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? What do you think Jesus felt as He cried out "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" that is "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)?
2. How is the preaching of Christ crucified received by different groups of people according to 1 Corinthians 1:22-24? Why?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why do you think Jesus went through all that suffering agony of the cross and the rejection by His Father (Romans 5:8)? Do you see the power of love in Psalm 22?
2. Why does God at times seem to remain silent when we cry out to Him? Do you see how Jesus can identify with your frustration (Psalm 22:2; Hebrews 4:14-16)?
3. How did God deliver Israel (Psalm 22:4, 5) and what parallels of deliverance do you see in your own life?
4. What caused the religious leaders and the people to mock and ridicule Jesus as He hung on the cross (Mark 15:29-33)?
5. Can you visualize the army of unseen demons gloating over the death of Jesus, the Son of God? What can you imagine that spiritual battle was like (Hebrews 2:14, 15)?
6. Why didn't Jesus just save Himself and come down from the cross (Mt. 27:41-43)?
7. How did Jesus's invincible faith return to center stage on the cross (Psalm 22:21-31)?
8. What does "He has performed it" (Psalm 22:31) and "It is finished" (John 19:30) have in common?

Now What? Application:

1. How will you show others in your OIKOS what the cross means for them in forgiveness and for eternal life?
2. Are you willing to "declare His righteousness" (Psalm 22:31) to more people? Who?