FURTHER STUDY: Read John 19:1-42 and "Calvary" in The Desire of Ages,pp.741-757.
Allow your mind to grasp the glorious fact that Jesus died for you because He loves you-not because you are good, but because He is good. He treats you, not as you deserve, but according to your need. Is ther any greater good news than this? Is not this the very heart of the gospel?
Because we have the "everlasting gospel" to take to the world (Rev.14:6), our mission is to lift up Christ and Him crucified:
"Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ ascended into the heavens, Christ coming again, should so soften, gladden, and fill the mind of the minister that he will present these truths to the people in love and deep earnestness. the minister will tehn be lost sight of, and Jesus will be made manifest. Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people,lift Him up in sermon, in song, in prayer. Let all your powers be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, lost, to 'the Lamb of God." Lift Him up, the risen Saviour, and say to all who hear, Come to Him who 'hath loved us, and hath given himself for us.' Let the science of salvation be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every supplication. Bring nothing into your preaching to supplement Christ, the wisdom and power of God." Evangelism,p.185.
This entreaty is for every believer; all are ministers, or witnesses, for Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SUMMARY: Christ is the center of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. All Bible truth finds its center in the One who is "the truth" (John 14:6). Just as spokes in a wheel meet in the hub, so the Bible teachings we study this quarter find their center in Christ. These doctrines tell us something about Jesus and draw us into closer union with Him. Every Bible truth reveals a facet of Christ's character. As we take our stand at Calvary, the Cross will open before our wondering gaze the deeper meaning of redemption through Christ.