Thur/Fri 10/3-4/13 The Old Rugged Cross

Dear Father in Heaven:  Thanks for another really nice day.  Thanks for a good night's rest and for waking us this morning.  Thanks, Lord, for watching over all those on this line, our families and our friends.  Thanks, Lord, for those who support the ministries of Carry The Light, and thanks, Lord for those who come to get food.  Lord, I just ask that You keep the blessings coming our way according to Your will for us.  Please be with those on our prayer lists, and thanks for the improvements in Sarah.  Now, please, dear Lord,if You would bless me with the message and then dispatch it for me, I sure would appreciate it.  And Lord, be with those in Washington, and I pray that they would come to understand that the only way our country will work is if we work it according to Your will.  In Jesus' wonderful name, I pray.  Amen.

Brothers and sisters, good morning to all of you.  Please add to our prayer list today "Leslie" and pray God gives her wisdom and understanding.  The other day I took a look back at our playground and "The Old Sliding Board."  Today I want to talk to all of you about "The Old Rugged Cross."  So let me get right to it.

Luke 23:27 - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  (NIV)

Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  (NIV)

Luke 23:46 - Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit."  (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, the other day I talked about how I would stand as a child and look up "The Old Sliding Board" and how I would try and climb it.  I would try and slip backwards, but then I would try again and again and as I grew and got stronger, I reached the top.  Now my life is different, and today I am taking a look up at the cross, to try and get a picture in my mind what it might have been like standing at the bottom of the cross with Jesus on it and looking up into His eyes as He closed them the last time, and He did it for me.  I just wonder over the years how many nails I have driven into Him by my sins and actions, and looking into His eyes and trying to say to Him, I am so sorry, Jesus, and then He answered me with that scripture, that quote from Luke:  Father, forgive Dan, for he does not know what he is doing.  Now, my dear brothers and sisters, please, please take my name out and put in your own name.  Close your eyes and picture the cross and Jesus on it.  How many of the nails are yours, or did you place the thorns on his head?

Now, brothers and sisters, we take a look at those on the crosses beside our Lord.  Which one are you?  Both men are sinners, both are about to die, and one talks down to Jesus, but the other stands up for Him.  Say this with me, folks, but only if you really believe it.  Lord, You died for me,please, Lord, as I picture You on the cross today, I ask that You forgive me of my sins, for I indeed believe in You.  I now can picture this next part.  I tell you the truth, Dan, when it is your time, I will see you in paradise.  After you have prayed, will you then put your name in place of mine?

Now as I keep looking up at "The Old Rugged Cross," I can picture Jesus giving it all up and saying what is recorded in Luke.  "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit."  So now I picture me saying this, Jesus, I love You, and I want to be with You someday, so today I want to commit my life to You and ask You to send Your Spirit, the Holy Spirit, upon me.  Will you join me in praying that today?

Dear Jesus, I love You and I want to be with You someday, so today I want to commit my life to You and ask You to send Your Spirit, the Holy Spirit, upon me.  In Jesus' Name, I ask this.  Amen.

Now, brothers and sisters, after that I can think of nothing better to do than to sing a couple verses of "The Old Rugged Cross."  (You expected something different?)

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

To the old rugged cross
I will ever be true.
Its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He'll call me someday
to my home far away
where His glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Dear Father in Heaven, I love You.  In Jesus' Name, may I walk toward You each and every day of the rest of my life.  In ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now go forward working for Jesus and sharing your blessings and knowing that all blessings come from God.  Love ya.  Please pass the Love On.  Pastor Dan