1. THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST RECONCILES ALL THINGS TO GOD

2. The Cross in Colossians1:19-23 NRSV “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, (20) and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (21) And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, (22) he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—(23) provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.”

3. These verses point out the following things about the cross. 1. That Christ was a perfect and pleasing sacrifice to God. In Him all "the fullness of God“ was pleased to dwell.

4. 2. That the reconciliation is extensive and all-embracing. God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,

5. 3. That the cross results in peace. ”making peace through the blood of his cross".

6. 4. That the purpose of the cross is so that God may purchase for himself a holy and blameless people, His church."....He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death,

7. 5. The cross gives life to the spiritually dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him, when he forgave us all our trespasses,

8. 6. The cross ends the power of rules and regulations over the life of the believer.

9. 7. The cross is a final and permanent end to Satan's ability to accuse us erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. (15) He disarmed the rulers and authorities...

10. 8. The cross gives Christians the confidence they need to break with the domination of their lives by spiritual powers, taboos and superstitions. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.

11. THE CROSS FOR JESUS THE CROSS FOR US Letting go of His status Deny ourselves... of God  Death on a cross Not loving our own life, "losing our life“ Taking the form of a Daily humble obedience Servant "take up our cross daily“  Endured the cross Do not become weary or discouraged  For the joy set before Counting the cost of Him discipleship, factoring in eternity

12. THE CROSS FOR JESUS THE CROSS FOR US Obedient unto death... No compromise, remain "salty“ Despising the shame Not being ashamed of Jesus but confessing Him before men The "finisher" of our faith Run with endurance the race set before us - until the end Endured hostility from Sinners against himself All who live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13. The Blood of Jesus Christ “John 6:53-56 NKJV Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. (54) "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. (56) "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”

14. BLOOD OF JESUS GIVES US:- 1.Eternal Life (John 6:53-56). 2. Abiding in Christ (John 6:53-56) "Abiding" means that we are to have a continuing personal relationship with God. 3. Purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28 NKJV) 4. Our bodies were also bought by Christ's blood (1 Corinthians 6:19- 20 NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

15. 5. We are washed from our sins by His blood. Revelation 1:5 NKJV “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Jesus scrubs us clean from our sins through the use of His blood.” 6. We are made righteous. (Romans 5:9 NKJV) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 7. We are made holy (sanctified). (Hebrews 13:12 NKJV) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

16. 8. The blood of Jesus Christ brings us forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28 NKJV) "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 9. A clean conscience (Hebrews 9:14 NKJV) how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? What are these "dead works”.

17. 10. Boldness in Christian living (Hebrews 10:19-23 NKJV) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

18. 11. Victory over the Devil and his angels (Revelation 12:11 NKJV) "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12. Unity in Christ (Ephesians 2:13-14 NKJV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. (Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood, Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, {10}And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

19. Prayer (Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood, Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (10) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” PRAISE THE LORD!