Complete The Cross

promising to me. But if God is at ever present help in trouble, in times of trouble, That's one thing the Bible says about God. If he'll walk up to me in the middle of a storm, if he'll be with me in the middle of the fire, if he'll split the sea so I can walk through it and drown my enemies behind me, I can keep moving.

my eyes. And that's the revelation factor revelation. Today, I want to talk about revelation in the context of relationship. Please write this down. The greatest pain and pleasure that you will experience in your life will be in the context of relationship. I did you kind of dirty. I didn't give you a chance to get your pin out, your thumbs warmed up. So I'm going to try to say it again. The greatest pain and greatest pleasure in your life will be experienced in the context of relationship.

So one of the words that Jesus spoke from the cross is commonly called the word of relationship. We're going to deal with that today. But I've been using a flashback technique. I try to be creative in the way I present the word. I don't know if it makes sense to everybody else, but just ways that make it exciting for me because I figure i'd like my own sermons. If nobody else does, I'll subscribe to the podcast. But I've been looking at Luke twenty four. These two people.

One is called we call him Cleo. His full name is Cleopus. He has an unnamed traveling companion. They're going the wrong way to a no name village called a Maus. I mean it has a name, but you can't find it if you go to the Holy Land today. They'll say, we think this is where a Mais was, but they don't even really know where it was. It wasn't some metropolitan major area where commerce happened. It was where they lived.

And they were going back from the scene of the cross, where they had watched their hope extinguished, and they had watched the one that they thought might be the one die, and they were burying their dreams along the road when the one whose death they were morning walked up right beside them, and they didn't know it. And so they're like walking back the wrong way. And there's this whole thing about why would Jesus follow people who are headed in the wrong direction, Why would he leave the ninety

nine righteous to find the one? Why would he come for the sick and not stay with the well. And I think that's one thing that we misconstrue about God's presence in our lives, is that He's going to be with us as long as we're doing what he told us to do and going where he told us to go. And yet we're surprised by the grace of God just like busting up in the middle of our conversations and our hopeless situations and chasing us down to the wrong

destination so he can turn us around. And when they got where they thought they were going, they saw who Jesus really was. And I think they saw it in his scars when he broke the bread, which is an everyday event. You know, you eat every day, and God is often found in the common marks of our lives. I'm teaching already if you didn't know, this is not

a review. So seeing where he had been wounded and now seeing his scars, which were the greatest demonstration of his strength that proved his resurrection, they had their eyes open and he was revealed and recognized by them in that moment. One thing I didn't point out that I think is very important. And I'm going to read the text and I'm going to emphasize certain words and see

if you can find the theme. The Bible says in verse thirty two that after they recognized Jesus, you know, you have these moments where you're like, oh, yeah, that was God. Oh yeah, that was God that had him break up with me. He was broke. God was looking out for me. But sometimes you don't see it on the road. You only realize it in reverse. You like, see their picture ten years later and you're like, oh,

thank you, love Mary now. So they're like, oh, that was him, that was the one we were crying over. But he's not dead, he's risen. And look at this. I'm going to emphasize certain works. Verse thirty two. They asked each other, were not our hearts burning within us? While he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us, are you noticing anything? Okay, one more verse? Make sure you get it. They got a and returned it. Once to Jerusalem, they found the eleven

and those with them assembled together. Their revelation of Jesus was completed not in the context of their conversation with him, but in the context of their conversation with each other. This message is called complete the cross and it is meant to confront some of the things that we say in church that sound spiritual but really make no sense in real life, things like, you know, all I need is Jesus. As long as I've got Jesus, I don't

need anybody else. And I understand the spirit of that that he is the most important, and seek he first, the King, to God his Righteous. All these things be added under you and my mother and Father for save me, then the Lord will take me up. I know those Bible verses too, But even Jesus needed a team, and it is significant I think, maybe you don't think so, that he revealed himself to two people and they talked with each other, and it was in talking with each

other that they figured out who he was. Because for all of us who think all we need is God and all we need is Jesus. The last time I checked, the cross had two beams. This one that's the main one. Got to get that right. But it's not a cross until it does like this. And sometimes the reason we like to say things like all I need is Jesus and all I need is God is because as long as we keep the context of our relationship limited to

an invisible God. We don't have to deal with people, and we can kind of manipulate our image of God into somebody who is comfortable for us to relate to. And then you'll start saying things like, well, nobody else gets me, but God does. And so you're all this, all this, and that's awesome and I love it. But I want to talk a little bit about this, the relationship. The relationship that is a little bit harder. So to do it. I want to remember what happened on the cross.

And I wonder when Cleophus and his unnamed companion are walking back, because the Bible says they got up, they turned around, they thought it was the end. It was really the beginning. They had watched Jesus die on the cross, watching him die, they thought this is it. But Heaven is watching and saying no when he said it is finished, that was just the beginning. Come on, I need somebody who travels six hours or more to know that where you are right now is not the end of what

shall be in your life. I feel like preaching to somebody who's got your head hung down. You've been in a mayis long enough. Come on, you got a round prim ticket and they turned around and they went back, And the Bible says that the road they walked was seven. So we've been using each of the seven miles to represent a different word that Jesus spoke from the cross, and there were seven of them, the word of forgiveness, Father, forgive them they know not what they do, or the

word of salvation. Today you will be with me in paradise. And I wonder where they have a flashback of what happened on the cross. And that's not a bad thing to do, by the way, to have a flashback every now and then, to strengthen your faith, to remember what

really happened on that cross. I mean, what really happened beyond the crown of thorns that marked his brow, beyond the sign that Pilot put above him in three different languages that said king of the Jews, the title that he used to mock him, which was actually announcing him. Because sometimes the insults that people will say about you are the greatest compliment they can give you. I mean,

beyond that, what really happened on the cross. I've been telling my soul, when my shackles fell off, when my same was nailed to those beams, when the chastisement that brought my peace was upon him. On the cross, somebody say, on the cross, On the cross, that's where my sin is. On the cross, That's where my mistakes are. On the cross. That's where my second guessings and second givings. That's where

all of my regrets are redeemed. On the cross. That's where I hung all my fears and all my talents and all my failures that happened on the cross. And I wonder did they reflect on the road on what happened on the cross? And I wonder, now, in the light of his resurrection, did they reflect on his death differently to know that what had caused them to hang their heads and walk away was actually the greatest proof

of his love. When I need to know that God loves me, I don't look at what's happening in my life. I flash back to what happened on the cross. That's where it was settled. That's where it was nailed down forever. He's always good and he does good, and he showed it to me on the cross. On the cross, that's where that thing that the devil is tormenting you with, that's down deeper than anybody else can see, that's where

it should be hanging. It shouldn't be hanging around in your heart and in your soul, it should be on that cross. I feel kind of old timey today. I don't feel very modern today. I feel like going and putting my eyes on the middle man, the one who hung there because he loved me, the one who could have dissed that's twelve legions of angels, but homed there on that cross for me. Well, it was his love

that held him there on the cross. So that's the first picture I wondered, did they remember what happened on the cross? Because they were actually at the cross. Maybe not actually in the general vicinity, but they were at the cross. And you know, I've heard sermons, seen movies about what happened on the cross, and sometimes it makes you feel kind of sentimental. Sometimes it makes you feel kind of sick. What happened on the cross went far

beyond what a film camera can present. In twenty four what happened on the cross is the release of the freedom that God wants to produce in my life. But I think there's something to be seen not just what happened on the cross, but who was at the cross. I mean, we know who was on the cross between two thieves, but at the cross. Now, to get a clear picture of this, you kind of have to do a little bit of study. And don't worry, I already did it for you, so I'm gonna tell you don't

have to look anything up. I looked at all up this week while you were doing your real job. It was interesting because I was putting together what Matthew said and what Mark said, and what Luke said and what John said, and so Matthew, who is one of the disciples, they're all telling the same story but from a different perspective, and they're describing the cross. And when it came to exactly what happened at the cross, Matthew didn't have a

lot to say because he wasn't there. Okay, he was there for the fish and the loaves, so he can tell you about that. He was there for that water walking thing where Peter got out of the boat because he's kind of crazy and didn't content to just sit in the boat. He has to do something special and spectacular.

He was there when Peter almost drowned himself and Jesus gave him CPR and but when it came to the isn't it funny how the cross will thin out a crowd, Because it was really loud on Sunday when Jesus came into Jerusalem, I mean deafening. They were crying out something. They were saying, Hosanna, it means save now, and that's what they wanted him to do, to save now. But

when he died, it deferred their hope. And so as he hung there at the cross, the crowds that were there to be fed and taught by his hand were kind of quiet at the cross, kind of quiet where he died, kind of quiet where he suffered. It was real loud when he was teaching, preach Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus's front row, blessed of the poor and spirit preach Jesus. I mean, if the word was preaching the word, that would be kind of cool to witness. It'll probably

be exciting. I'm just saying you probably shall you probably jump up. But when he came to his cross, crowd wasn't so loud. Oh. By the way, something that Peter proofs to us is that those who are the loudest are not always the most loyal. Because when it comes

to the cross, Matthew tells us something so disturbing. I imagine it must have hurt him to write this, you know, because Jesus had done so much for them and they really believed in him, and I think they really wanted to follow him, but they can only go so far. And then he came to the cross, and the cross is confusing because it's not supposed to end like this. And the cross is confusing because if he really is who he says he is, how can he be hung

up there to die in this kind of humiliation? And so Matthew says that at the cross, everybody deserted him all twelve because remember he had a team, a really big team, a really big team, touch somebody say, a really big team until it came to the cross. And then sometimes circumstances in your life will show you who was really with you because they loved you, and who was really with you because there was something that they got from you in the moment. They don't get from

you what they wanted from you. Now, that's really painful. That's a hard thing. Some people will be with you, what's the saying. They'll ride with you in the limo, but they won't take the bus when the limo breaks down. I don't know who said that. I think that's from the Book of Oprah. But but Matthew says it is a good one. But Matthew says, they all left him. Now here's what's interesting. There's one disciple. His name is John, and I love John because he gave himself a nickname.

There's a lot to love about John. Because at the Last Supper, when Jesus is telling the disciples, you're all gonna leave, Peter's like, not me, a gotzi bro. And John isn't saying much. But John, he saw himself a little differently. Here's what he called himself. Okay, how many of you have a nickname that your friends call you and stuff? How many of you gave yourself a nickname? Okay? John is so confident he gave himself a nickname. And let me tell you what he calls himself when he

writes about himself in the Gospel. According to John, he calls himself, how's this for a nickname? The one Jesus love so not Hey, I'm John, Hey, I'm his favorite. I love John. It's a certain kind of confidence that he has that he doesn't need to say much with his lips to prove his loyalty. He's just there. And so when John writes his Gospel, he's like, hey, wait

a minute, Matthew, we didn't all run. And he describes for a moment who was at the cross, and it's not who you would expect, because you're looking for Peter at the cross, but Peter isn't at the cross. He couldn't get past the courtyard the moment it became scandalous to stand with Jesus, and Jesus didn't do it like he thought it ought to be done.

is present. That's a bad day for the teacher when the whole class is gone, and the loneliness of hanging there all alone no Bartholomew, No Nathaniel.

he was there, Matthew can't quite tell us because he wasn't. Again, he can tell you how delicious the bread was, He can tell you how delicious the fish tasted. But John tells us who was at the cross. I'm gonna give you something right now. God gave me something to give to you. You're about to be set free from some things that you didn't even though had locked you inside

of yourself. You are about to get something from God that is going to release you to love like you haven't been able to love and enjoy the life he died to give you. So John says that near the cross of Jesus, remember he's on the cross, and now let's see who's at the cross. First of all, his mother, the one who carried him now had to watch him carry her cross that she deserved that he did not.

And I think there's a whole message. Maybe I'll preach Mother's Day on this verse one time, because it'd be a great Mother's Day scripture. What kind of strength does it take for a mom to stand there and watch her son die, completely unable to do anything about it, just standing there. It says that near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. It does not record one word.

had a rough life. Jesus really helped her. He cast some demons out of her that nobody else had been able to deal with, and that created a kind of loyalty within her that she was like, even if all I can do is stand here and cry, I'm not leaving, could you get there with God? That, even if all I can do is stand here and wait to see what will becolm, you can't run me off. You've been too good to me and done too much for me. I'm not going anywhere. You have the words of eternal life,

I'll say it near the cross. And when Jesus saw his mother there, John tells us and the disciple whom he loved, John says, as me standing nearby, He said to her, woman, here is your son, and then watch this. He looked at the disciple whom he loved, the self proclaimed favorite, and gave him a job. Here is your mother.

Let's skip the fact that none of us in the room would be able to put us on our own self elfishness enough if we were suffering like that to think about anyone else, because you know, when you're going through something, you don't ask anybody how their day is, and if you do, you really don't want to know, and you hope they don't answer you. All you can

really handle is fun. I'm telling you when you're going through something, and you really need to watch for this because I went through something a couple of years ago with my dad, and somebody gave me good advice. They said, don't tell a lot of people what you're going through. Find a few people you can tell what you're going through. Most people are going to ask you. They really don't care. That would have been worth your trip to church today, just to know that they really don't mean tell me

all about it. They really don't. They see you coming, they dodge you. Because your niece have been hurting six months and it's all you talk about your sore back, it's all you talk about how hard it's been with your kids. Most people don't want to know all that because they've got their own stuff. They've got their own things they're dealing with, and to me the the presence

of mind of Jesus. And I want to be more like this because I'm really not here yet, nor am I in the vicinity of this kind of christ likeness. But that he was able to look to the needs of others while he died for them, not after he got up.

even get me started on Judas. Oh my God, I would not have seen John because I would have been making up my plan for how I was gonna get back at Judas. Sometimes we don't see those who are with us because we can only think of those who left us. But I want to declare over your life today, God will always leave a John at your cross.

it like this? Come on, somebody say I got it like that.

you to hear. I had to hear it all week. God kept me out all week getting this message ready for you, and he said, I need for your validation not to be in somebody else's mouth. I need your validation to be in that cross. I need you to be complete in that cross, so that if you don't get it from your mom, if you don't get it from your daughter, Listen, sometimes people are giving you all they can give you. They can't give you anymore. And if you don't get it like this, you will never

get it like that. You need to set some people free today from not giving you keys to your freedom that they don't hold. You. Have got to release some people from the expectation of perfection. They can't be everything to you. Even John couldn't get him down. All he could do was stand there. So I don't want to look to people to do for me, but only God can. I don't want to be grabbing for garments at the foot of the cross. If I got it like this.

I can give it like that. Whoever this is for, you've been trying to get affection from the wrong direction. You've been reaching for validation and all the wrong places. You're not going to get it like this. That's where you give. That's where Paul said, if there's any comfort from being united with Christ, what she's drawn across. He's saying, this Philippian Church. You can look at U Philippians one in chapter two, verse one and two. Something like that

is in Philippians. Somewhere google it says you got it. Oh, if there's any encouragement from being united with Christ, somebody say, I got it like that. Okay, that's the part we're good at in church. He forgave me, he saved me, he loves me, he accepts me. But Paul says, if you got it like that, any comfort from His love? How many are comforted by the love of Christ in

your heart today? If you got it like that, having the same love, being one inspirit and of one mind, I love this next instruction, then make my joy complete. If you got it like that, give it like this. So I want to wake up this week and I want to see all of my shame my need on that cross. I want to receive all of my validation at that cross. I want to carry whatever cross God has given me and not resent the people who didn't give me what I thought I needed. Because I am

complete in that cross. I don't need you to tell me that I'm loved. Maybe it's time for me to tell you that you're loved. Maybe I've lived my life doing this long enough. Maybe it's time to live like he died at the cross. There's job on the cross. There's Jesus in the cross. Here's us. That's where our strength is. You know, not in what people say or don't say. You feel the release in that. When I receive it, I can release it. God show me who

to encourage today. I don't need anything from you today. Here I got mine at the Cross. I got mine in the presence of God. In His presence is the fullness of I am complete in Him. I am the righteousness of God. I am comple. Somebody shout, I am complete. I am complete. I don't need you to complete me. I am complete in the Cross of Jesus Christ, where he led is still flowing today, and it is flowing through me.

you get it. This is how you get it. This is how you get it. This is how you get it, not when a group accepts you, not when a promotion comes. This is how you get it. You're going to go into this week with something to give. You're gonna go into this week knowing who you are. Lift your hands, thank you for joining us. Special thanks to those of you who give generously to this ministry. Is because of

you that this ministry is possible. You can click the link in the description to give now, or visit Elevationchurch dot org slash podcast for more information and if you enjoyed the podcast, you can subscribe. You can share it with your friends. You can click the share button, take a screenshot and share it on your social stories and tag us at Elevation Church. Thanks again for listening. God bless you.