4/7/13
“Nailed To The Cross”
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Scripture Reading:
John 19:25-37 Debt. Debtors. Debtors prison. The power of debt. Debt-free. Debt ceiling. My debt has been retired/canceled. Promissory notes. Mortgages. Many, way too many people are in some form of financial debt. Almost all of us owe someone money. And where there is debt, there is a written record of that debt. And where there is debt, someone owes that obligation; and it must be paid. There is also the burden of debt.
Does anyone know what the penalty for non-payment of a debt is? Is it bad credit? Is it foreclosure on your property? Bankruptcy? Being in default? Now imagine if you can how you’d feel if you had a debt that you had absolutely no way to be set free from. Imagine how over-whelming that would be to your spirit. There is also the cancellation of debt. Now imagine, if you can, how you’d feel if someone came along and simply paid off your entire debt. Imagine how over-whelming that would be to your spirit. I have on my heart today the topic of debt. I’ve titled today’s sermon: “Nailed To The Cross.” Shall we pray? Please take your Bible with me and open it to the Book of Colossians at chapter two. Look with me at verse thirteen. Colossians 2:13 “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” |
It’s so good just to read and re-read and think about and study and learn the Word of God, isn’t it?
There are two kinds of debt spoken of in the Scriptures; economic or financial debt in which money is owed and had to be paid. Then there is spiritual debt in which our sins have a need to be paid for. Here’s what I would like to say today. 1. Debt and forgiveness 2. What was nailed to the cross of Christ. 3. Complete forgiveness First, Debt and forgiveness. It may be true that the Bible has quite a bit to say about financial debt. But the LORD often uses money debt to illustrate one primary thing; forgiveness. Please find with me the Gospel of Luke chapter seven. And look with me at Luke 7:40. Luke 7:40 “and Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. (41) There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. (42) And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” Can you see how Jesus uses debt to teach forgiveness here? The creditor is the one to whom the two debtors owed money. And neither man had enough money to pay the debt off. And the creditor does what? He “forgives” them both. The term “forgiveness” in the Bible is simply this: the cancellation of a debt. We use it today. We say “that debt is forgiven.” Today you hear and read a bit about “debt forgiveness programs” that are available to people who can’t pay their mortgages. |