The Cradle, Cross and Crown

1
The Cradle, Cross and Crown

• Paul a servant of Christ
• Results of Paul's imprisonment
• 113 Christ is made known, despite circumstances
• 118 Christ is preached, despite critics
• 120 Christ is magnified or exalted, despite
  crisis.

2
The Cradle, Cross and Crown

• Phil 129-22, For it has been granted to you on
  behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but
  also to suffer for him, since you are going
  through the same struggle you saw I had, and now
  hear that I still have. If you have any
  encouragement from being united with Christ, if
  any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with
  the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
  then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
  having the same love, being one in spirit and
  purpose.
• Today is Mothers Day
• Look at Jesus through the eyes of Mary his mother.

3
The Cradle

• Events leading to the birth.
• Mary 12-14 years old.
• Her willingness, Lk 138, I am the Lords
  servant. May it be to me as you have said.
• Jesus is born and laid in a manger.
• Luke gives us information from Mary about Jesus
  birth and childhood.

4
The Cradle

• Birth
• The Shepherds and Angels
• Jesus presented in the Temple
• Simeon My eyes have seen your salvation.
• Anna spoke about Jesus to all who where looking
  forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
• When Jesus was 12.
• Didnt you know I had to be in my fathers house?
• Mary treasured all these things in her heart (Lk
  251)
• Paul in Phil 2 is encouraging all of us to
  understand that we should treasure Jesus in our
  hearts.

5
The Cradle

• Phil 25-8, Your attitude should be the same as
  that of Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature
  God, did not consider equality with God something
  to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking
  the very nature of a servant, being made in human
  likeness. And being found in appearance as a
  man

6
The Cross

• Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross
• As he began his ministry even his family didnt
  understand. Mk 321- His family tried to restrain
  him because people were saying he has gone mad.
• The Gospel of Mark will emphasis the Suffering or
  the Passion of Christ.
• Hints of Jesus death 220 36 319
• Three Passion predictions 831 931 1032-34
• A third of Mark is devoted to the Last week of
  Jesus life (Mk 11-16)

7
The Cross

• Jesus ministry focuses on the Cross.
• John tells us of Mary at the foot of the cross
• John 1925-27, Near the cross of Jesus stood
  his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of
  Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his
  mother there, and the disciple whom he loved
  standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear
  woman, here is your son, and to the disciple,
  "Here is your mother." From that time on, this
  disciple took her into his home.

8
The Cross

• Phil 25-8, Your attitude should be the same as
  that of Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature
  God, did not consider equality with God something
  to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking
  the very nature of a servant, being made in human
  likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
  he humbled himself and became obedient to death--
  even death on a cross!

9
The Cross

• Why?
• John the Baptist says, Behold the Lamb of God
  who takes away the sins of the world.
• Paul writes
• 1 Cor 152-4, By this gospel you are saved, if
  you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
  Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I
  received I passed on to you as of first
  importance that Christ died for our sins
  according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,
  that he was raised on the third day according to
  the Scriptures,

10
The Crown

• The Cross was not the end
• The women found an empty tomb
• Why do you look for the living among the dead?
• Luke 2446-53, He told them, "This is what is
  written The Christ will suffer and rise from the
  dead on the third day, and repentance and
  forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name
  to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are
  witnesses of these things. I am going to send you
  what my Father has promised but stay in the city
  until you have been clothed with power from on
  high.

11
The Crown

• Mary was there in Jerusalem as Jesus promise of
  the Spirit is fulfilled.
• Acts 112-14, Then they returned to Jerusalem
  from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a
  Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they
  arrived, they went upstairs to the room where
  they were staying. Those present were Peter,
  John, James and Andrew Philip and Thomas,
  Bartholomew and Matthew James son of Alphaeus
  and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
  They all joined together constantly in prayer,
  along with the women and Mary the mother of
  Jesus, and with his brothers.

12
The Crown

• Jesus reigns today
• Phil 25-11, Your attitude should be the same as
  that of Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature
  God, did not consider equality with God something
  to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking
  the very nature of a servant, being made in human
  likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
  he humbled himself and became obedient to death--
  even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him
  to the highest place and gave him the name that
  is above every name, that at the name of Jesus
  every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
  under the earth, and every tongue confess that
  Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
  Father.

13
The Cradle, Cross and Crown

• Like Mary the mother of our Lord I hope you
  remember the cradle, cross and crown of our Lord.
• Phil 212-13 ,Therefore, my dear friends, as you
  have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but
  now much more in my absence-- continue to work
  out your salvation with fear and trembling, for
  it is God who works in you to will and to act
  according to his good purpose.

14
The Cradle, Cross and Crown

• Promises and Purpose
• Be obedient
• Work out your salvation
• God works in us
• For His purpose
• We must become servants because Jesus was a
  servant