"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST"
INTRODUCTION
1. Much controversy has surrounded the movie "The Passion Of The Christ"
by Mel Gibson...
a. Mostly for fear that it might incite anti-Semitic passions
b. Also because it is violently graphic in its depiction of Christ's
suffering
2. Without question, the suffering of Christ, leading up to and
including the crucifixion was terrible...
a. The beatings, which must have been excruciatingly painful - Mt 26:
67; 27:26-31
b. Nailed to the cross, which Jesus was willing to bear without drugs
- Mt 27:33-35
c. A shameful way to die, mocked by some, crucified with thieves - Mt
27:36-44
3. While there may be a place for contemplating upon the physical
passion Jesus endured...
a. He did not want people to weep for Him, but for themselves - cf.
Lk 23:26-31
b. His concern for others was evident, even on the cross - Lk 23:34
[The significance and lessons to be learned from the suffering of Jesus
should go far beyond feeling sorry for what He endured. For example, we
should never forget that "The Passion Of The Christ" is...]
I. THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN
A. JESUS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF SIN...
1. As foretold, He died for our sins - 1Co 15:3; Isa 53:5-6
2. He gave Himself for our sins - Ga 1:4
3. He bore our sins on the cross - 1Pe 2:24
-- May the thought of His passion remind us of our own sinfulness
and the need for redemption - 1Jn 1:8,10
B. JESUS KILLED SIN...
1. He condemned sin in the flesh through His death - Ro 8:3
2. Making it possible for sinners to destroy their own body of
sin, when united with Him by baptism into His death - Ro 6:3-6
-- May the thought of His passion remind us of our duty to crucify
the sinful lusts of the flesh - Ga 5:24; Col 3:5-11
[To motivate us in our efforts to let Jesus' suffering help us deal with
the problem of sin, we should also remember that "The Passion Of The
Christ" is...]
II. THE REVELATION OF LOVE
A. JESUS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF LOVE...
1. The love of the Father for a lost world - Jn 3:16; Ro 5:8
2. The love of the Son - Ep 5:2
-- May our contemplation of His passion never neglect the love
that was behind the fact - 1Jn 4:9-10
B. JESUS THEREBY DEMONSTRATED WHAT TRUE LOVE IS...
1. We now understand the meaning of true love - 1Jn 3:16; Jn
15:13
2. His love serves as the pattern for our love - Jn 13:34-35;
15:12
-- May our contemplation of His passion remind us of the high
standard of love we are called to show toward one another
- 1Jn 4:11
[As we strive to overcome sin and love one another, assisted and
motivated by the suffering of Jesus, we should also be mindful that "The
Passion Of The Christ" is...]
III. THE REDEMPTION OF THE WORLD
A. JESUS SUFFERED FOR ALL...
1. God desires all men to be saved, not desiring any to perish
- 1Ti 2:3-6; 2Pe 3:9
2. Therefore He offered Jesus as a propitiation for all - 1Jn 2:
1-2
-- May our meditation upon His passion include thinking about the
need of others
B. JESUS IS THE WORLD'S ONLY HOPE...
1. He is the only way to the Father - Jn 14:6
2. Only in His name is salvation to be found - Ac 4:12
3. Deny the Son, and one does not have the Father - 1Jn 2:23
4 Abide in His doctrine, and one has both the Father and the Son
- 2Jn 9
-- May our meditation upon His passion move us to do what we can
to proclaim the message of redemption to those lost in sin
- cf. 2Co 5:18-6:1
[And so the suffering of Jesus on the cross should prompt us to look
both inward and outward, to address both our spiritual needs and those
of others. To what extent effort may be required in these areas, we
should also view "The Passion Of The Christ" as...]
IV. THE INSPIRATION OF SACRIFICE
A. JESUS PROVIDED THE EXAMPLE...
1. His suffering demonstrated the mind of humility - Php 2:3-8
2. His suffering demonstrated the example of suffering patiently
- 1Pe 2:20-24
-- May our reflection upon His passion move us to consider what
His sacrifice should inspire us to do
B. JESUS' SACRIFICE IS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE US...
1. To walk in love - Ep 5:2
2. To walk in humility - Php 2:3-5
3. To suffer patiently when mistreated for doing good - 1Pe 2:
20-24
4. To give of ourselves to others - 2Co 8:9; 1Jn 3:16-18
-- May our reflection upon His passion inspire us to a higher plan
of devotion to God and others!
CONCLUSION
1. Certainly more could be said about "The Passion Of The Christ"...
a. Both the movie, and the historical events it seeks to portray
b. E.g., the fact that any anti-Semitic reaction would be contrary to
the will of Christ
2. But perhaps these few thoughts will increase our appreciation of
Christ's suffering...
a. His passion is the condemnation of sin
b. His passion is the revelation of love
c. His passion is the redemption of the world
d. His passion is the inspiration of sacrifice
3. Have you taken advantage of what "The Passion Of The Christ" means
for you...?
a. Have you been crucified with Christ?
b. Are you putting to death the deeds of the flesh?
c. Are you growing in love?
d. Are you concerned and doing something about the redemption of the
world?
e. Are you inspired in your service to brethren and the lost by the
example of Jesus' sacrifice?
May "The Passion Of The Christ" motivate you to obey and serve the One
who died for you...
"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if
One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those
who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who
died for them and rose again." - 2Co 5:14-15
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
