Mark 15:34
The cross reveals man at his worst, and his rebellion against God results in separation and spiritual death.
Chuck Smith explores the profound implications of Jesus' cry, 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?' during His crucifixion, illustrating how the cross reveals humanity's worst tendencies and rebellion against God. He emphasizes that sin leads to separation from God, a consequence that was warned of since Adam's time, and highlights the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane as He faced the bitterness of being forsaken. Smith reflects on the nature of fellowship with God, which is disrupted by sin, and warns of the ultimate punishment for those who persist in rebellion against God.
Text
"FORSAKEN BY GOD"
Intro: What an awesome feeling, I have felt it at times. Financial woes,
pain. We have heard places called God forsaken land. Jacob at
Bethel.
I. THE CROSS REVEALS MAN AT HIS WORST.
A. Man is attempting to destroy God.
1. First recorded sin, suicide "In the day you..."
2. Second, Fratricide - Cain killed Abel.
3. Worst - Decide.
a. Those today who try to destroy God.
b. "The fool has said in his heart..."
B. Man has rebelled against God from the beginning.
1. Adam's act, one of rebellion.
a. God is trying by His rules to restrict my
pleasure.
b. I know better than God what is good for me.
2. As we look around, we see the pain, suffering, wars,
violent crimes, oppression, results of:
a. Not the world God created,
b. Not the world God intended,
c. Those foolish persons who try to blame the
world conditions on God.
"My God, My God..."
II. HERE WE SEE THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCE OF SIN, SEPARATION FROM GOD.
A. God warned Adam in garden, "You will die".
1. God referring to spiritual death.
a. Separation of soul and spirit from God.
b. Different than physical death.
B. Isaiah 59:1.
C. God created man for fellowship.
1. Fellowship is a oneness, communion.
2. A holy God cannot become one with sinful man.
D. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul declares final punishment for
those who continue in sin, "punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of His power."
"My God..."
III. HERE WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND GETHSEMANE.
A. The prayer for the cup to pass.
1. The great agony as His seat became blood.
B. We see the bitterness of the cup.
1. He who was in the beginning with God.
2. He who shared the glory with the Father before the
worlds existed.
3. He who was one with the Father from all eternity -now
to be forsaken.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Cross Reveals Man at His Worst - Man's Rebellion Against God - Adam's Act of Rebellion
- II points: - The Awful Consequence of Sin - Separation from God - Fellowship with God
- III points: - Understanding Gethsemane - The Prayer for the Cup to Pass
Key Quotes
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” — Chuck Smith
“The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'” — Chuck Smith
“In the day you eat from it you will surely die.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize the depth of human rebellion against God and the consequences of sin.
- Understand the significance of Gethsemane in the context of Jesus' sacrifice.
- Acknowledge the holiness of God and the need for fellowship with Him.