Matthew 27:35
The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to God's love and influence in one's life, and warns against the danger of crucifying Christ by rejecting or ignoring God.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the gravity of the crucifixion of Christ, portraying those who crucified Him as cruel and vicious, capable of such an act. He challenges the audience to reflect on their own lives, suggesting that many today, through their actions and disbelief, are similarly attempting to 'crucify' Christ by rejecting His influence and love. Smith urges listeners to recognize their own guilt in this act and to seek repentance and a renewed relationship with God. The sermon calls for self-examination and a response to God's voice, highlighting the importance of yielding to His love and guidance.
Text
"AND THEY CRUCIFIED HIM"
I. WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD WANT TO CRUCIFY CHRIST?
A. Cruel, vicious, MONSTER.
1. Kill a innocent man.
a. More than innocent. Neg. trait.
b. He was good, kind, loving.
2. Torture of cross.
a. Exult in His suffering.
b. No words of pity.
B. How do you picture the murderers of Christ?
1. Wild-eyed: foaming mouthed idiots.
2. You probably couldn't pick them out of the rogues
gallery.
3. They look like your neighbor or maybe even like you.
II. IN CRUCIFYING CHRIST THEY WERE TRYING TO DESTROY GOD.
A. "The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God."
1. This is an attempt to destroy God.
2. Any man today who says, "I don't believe in God" is
trying to destroy God.
a. He could just as well have driven the spikes
into the hands.
b. He is capable of crucifying Christ.
B. Some of you would like to destroy God.
1. If you are told God is not pleased with your actions.
a. Instead of repenting and seeking forgiveness.
b. You become sullen, morose, snide.
c. Your shrug of the shoulder and sneer show you
capable of crucifying Christ.
III. SOME OF YOU SEEK ALSO TO DESTROY GOD FROM YOUR LIFE.
A. You have killed His voice.
1. You will not listen to Him.
2. You turn a deaf ear or ignore Him.
B. You have killed His influence.
1. You will not be guided.
2. You reject His advice.
3. You will walk in your own way.
4. You refuse to bow your stubborn will.
C. You have fill His love.
1. How many times He has entreated you.
2. Look at the scorn with which you responded to His
tenderness.
D. Some of you not only capable, but in a sense guilty of
crucifying Christ and are doing the same this very night.
IV. HOW SHOCKING TO LOOK INTO THE PICTURE AND BEHOLD YOUR OWN FACE.
A. Realizing guilt what is answer?
1. Acts 2 - "What shall we do, seeing we have crucified
the Lord of Glory?"
2. Listen and obey His voice. Yield to His influence.
Respond to HIS Love.
Sermon Outline
- What Kind of Person Would Want to Crucify Christ? points: - Cruel, vicious, MONSTER. - How do you picture the murderers of Christ?
- In Crucifying Christ They Were Trying to Destroy God points: - The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God.' - Some of you would like to destroy God.
- Some of You Seek Also to Destroy God from Your Life points: - You have killed His voice. - You have killed His influence. - You have filled His love.
- How Shocking to Look into the Picture and Behold Your Own Face points: - Realizing guilt what is answer?
Key Quotes
“The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God.'” — Chuck Smith
“You have killed His voice.” — Chuck Smith
“You have killed His influence.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize and acknowledge your guilt in crucifying Christ.
- Listen and obey God's voice, and yield to His influence.
- Respond to God's love by repenting and seeking forgiveness.