At the Cross with the Hardened Skeptic
Key Verses
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) — 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Matthew 27:26 (NLT) — 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
Matthew 27:27–29 (NLT) — 27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:31–34 (NLT) — 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. 32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
Matthew 27:35 (NLT) — 35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
1. God is always at work ____________ to him.
Acts 17:27 (NLT) — 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.
Romans 2:4 (NLT) — 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
2. God ____________ to come to Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:7 (NLT): Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT): 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
3. God is always at work because he wants ____________ to be saved.
2 Samuel 14:14 (NLT): 14 All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.
4. God can ____________ instantly.
Matthew 27:54 (NLT): 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Romans 10:9–10 (NLT): 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
5. God ________ ________ to share his grace.
Titus 2:11 (NLT) — 11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.