Crucified With Christ
Galatians 2:20

I.  The Crucifixion of Christ  ( Matt. 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19 )
     A. The Creator dies for His creation
      B. The suffering - physical, mental, and emotional
      C. The words of Jesus on the cross
             1. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (unconditional love)
             2. "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise." (unmerited favor, unselfish grace)
             3. "Woman, behold thy son." (to Mary); "Behold, thy mother." (to John)
             4. " My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (total loneliness)
             5. " I thirst." (physical nature)
             6. " It is finished." (sigh of relief)
             7. " Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (going home)

II. The Crucifixion of Self
     A.  Crucifixion of self is Christ living in me. Gal. 2:20
      B. Old man of sin crucified  Romans 5:1-11
             1. Dead to sin
             2. Baptized into His death
             3. Raised in Him to new life
             4. Old man crucified, serve sin no longer (vs. 6)
      C.  Examples of martyrs
            1. Stephen (Acts 7:59)
             2. Apostles
             3. Early church (Acts 8)
             4. Historical examples

III.  A Crown for a Cross
       A. Jesus exchanged a crown of thorns for a cross  John 19:1-5
        B. The sufferings of Paul  2 Timothy 4: 6-8
             1. Paul lost everything and suffered much
             2. Looked forward to "crown of righteousness"
        C. Church at Smryna (Rev. 2:8-10)
             1. Suffered tribulation, poverty, and prison
             2. "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life."
        D. A crown awaits you and I
             1. James 1:12 We must endure temptation
             2. The Lord promises a crown of life.
 

Conclusion:
     What does it mean to have been "crucified with Christ"? It means that as my Lord
    was put to death on that cross, I too have died to sin. As Christ's death ended an old
    covenant and gave birth to a new one, I too have ended the old way of life and have been
    reborn in Christ to live a new life. Christ was the ultimate sacrifice for sin, eternally and
    unfailing. I have sacrificed myself, ny pride, my sin, and my weaknesses for His sake. This
    sacrifice also is eternal, for my commitment reaches far beyond the shadowy realms of
    death. It is unfailing, for although I lack His goodness and power, my faith in Him will
    carry me through when the storms of life rage about me. I no longer trust in myself, rather
    I trust in him and I know He will protect me from the fiery darts Satan may hurl at me. If I
    stumble, if I fall , He in His loving grace and mercy will pick me up and carry me through.
    Gladly would I die for Him as He has died for me. Sacrifice? Yes. But my crucifixion is so
    outweighed by His blessings that it is hardly a sacrifice at all.

Michael E. Grooms