SERMON NOTES

“No tongue may tell nor heart fully think of the pains that our Savior suffered for us, considering the worth of the highest, most glorious king and the shameful, humiliating, painful death; for He who was highest and noblest was brought most low and utterly despised.” 

• Julian of Norwich — Revelations of Divine Love

MARY - THE MOTHER OF JESUS

• • Mary, among a few other faithful women, were standing nearby witnessing the death of Jesus.
  • John 19:25-27 (NLT)
  • In the final moments of His life, Jesus is caring for His mom.

• Friends of the cross bear witness to pain. 
• We have to bear witness to the pain; we have to experience the suffering of our Savior, and we have to remember the body that was broken and the blood that was shed because as you experience the pain of the cross you will also experience His mercy.

JOHN - THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED

• • John is the only disciple who was there!
  • If you’re going to walk close to Jesus and model your life after His, it won’t always look like you’re winning.

• Friends of the cross prioritize proximity.
• This is why things like spiritual disciplines and habits are so important to the follower of Jesus.
• God can do whatever He wants, but oftentimes, it’s proximity to Jesus that unlocks mission, purpose, and calling.

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS

• • Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 (NLT)
  • The fact that we have the dying conversations of Jesus recorded is so important to our faith and understanding of God.
  • Every breath and conversation was an excruciating labor of love.

• Friends of the cross hope for the future.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

1. How do you typically respond to pain in yourself or in others?
2. How are you working on ‘proximity to Jesus?’
3. What does spiritual inertia look like in your life today?
4. When it comes to your life with Jesus, what are you hoping for?

SERMON AUDIO