Sermon Notes: 3/30/25

"Lesson’s From The Cross"

Pastor Albert Almore

“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.” John 19:23 NLT

“So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.” John 19:24 NLT

“Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25 NLT

“When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27 NLT

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27 NKJV

“NOW THERE STOOD BY THE CROSS OF JESUS HIS MOTHER…” John 19:25 NKJV

His mother, stood by his side, watching all of this. His mother, stood by his side, watching them pull out His beard that she watched grow in. His mother, stood by his side, watching them drive the crown of thorns into his forehead that she often kissed. His mother, stood by his side, watching them beat his back that she used to  wash in the bathtub. His mother, stood by his side, watching them pierce the nails in his wrist by his precious hands that she used to hold. His mother, stood by his side, watching them beat the 7 inch nails through his feet that she used to hear run through the house. HER PRECIOUS BABY THAT SHE USED TO HOLD, WAS NOW BEING HELD UP BY THE CROSS. 

I wonder did the memories of Jesus taking his first steps began to flood her mind. Or his first words, or the first time that she heard him laugh as a baby. I can’t but help to wonder what memories flooded her mind. Painfully so, I believe one memory that flooded her mind was the words that Simeon spoke in Luke 2:34-35,

“Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (YES, A SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOUR OWN SOUL ALSO), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”” Luke 2:34-35 NKJV

As she stood by his side, she thought to herself, this is it. I can feel the sword piercing through my soul that Simeon told me would happen. It’s too much for me to bear. In that moment, Jesus puts his pain on hold, and John 19:26 says,

“WHEN JESUS SAW HIS MOTHER STANDING THERE…” John 19:26 NLT

JESUS PUT HIS PAIN ON HOLD, AND TOOK THE TIME SEE HER PAIN AND TO OFFER A REMEDY.

Looking up not just at Jesus, our Lord, but at the foot of the cross as Mary looked up, she looked up at her son that she carried for 9 months. And as she thought to herself this is it, Jesus essentially says, yes. This is it mama. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for accepting the call. Thank you for raising me. Thank you for caring, but this is it mama. 

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27 NKJV

Typically, a dying son would commit his mother into the care of another member of his immediate family. To hear those words—she knew what he was saying. This is it mama. I imagine in that moment, John embraced her as they wept together. John & Mary were the the greatest example of the words written by the apostle Paul, written in Galatians 6:2,

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NLT

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NKJV

📝 • Can God borrow your SHOULDER? 

CAN GOD BORROW YOUR SHOULDER FOR SOMEONE TO CRY ON? 

CAN GOD BORROW YOUR SHOULDER FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S BURDENS?

When Jesus saw his mother, He didn’t tell her to level up. He told her John will help you get through it. 

There’s a lot of hurting people in this world, in this church, that needs someone to bear their burdens with them. Can God borrow your shoulder? 

📝 You don’t have to have the WORDS, you just have to have your PRESENCE.

“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 NLT

📝 In order for God to borrow your shoulder, you must get rid of THE COLD SHOULDER.

“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many WILL GROW COLD.” Matthew 24:12 NLT

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” 2 Timothy 3:1-2 NLT

“They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.” 2 Timothy 3:3 NLT

📝 • Can God borrow your VULNERABILITY?

“BEAR one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NKJV

📝 People can’t bear WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW. 

📝 It takes more strength to let someone INTO YOUR LIFE, than it does to KEEP THEM OUT.

Did you know that Jesus was vulnerable?

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.” Matthew 26:36-37 NLT

“He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” Matthew 26:38 NLT

Rejoice WITH THOSE who rejoice; mourn WITH THOSE who mourn. Romans 12:15 NLT

“Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 NLT

“I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.” 2 Corinthians 11:26 NLT

“I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” 2 Corinthians 11:27 NLT

📝 We weren’t created to be SELFISH with what we’re going through, we were created to SHARE IT.

📝 • Can God borrow your STANCE?

Why are we discussing this message today? Because of their stance.

“When Jesus saw his mother STANDING there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27 NLT

As the Lord completed His earthly ministry, His words to Mary, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother,” were profoundly illustrative of God’s new family being born at the foot of the cross.

With these simple words, the Christian family is born sharing together the love and suffering at the heart of the cross of Christ in the hope of the resurrection. Mary and the beloved disciple are, in a sense, the first Christians, as they together take up the cross and call of Christ and begin to “bear one another’s burdens” for the sake of the Gospel (Gal. 6:2).

Isn’t this what be a follower of Jesus Christ is all about? Taking a stance for Christ in the good times and the bad? Standing with Him while He’s feeding the 5,000, and standing with him at the foot of cross.

📝“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, STAND FIRM. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

📝 “Be on your guard; STAND FIRM in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14) Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

📝 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. STAND FIRM against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

EVERYTHING THAT WE LEARNED TODAY, DIDN’T JESUS FIRST DO IT FOR US?

📝 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 NKJV

WHICH LESSON FROM THE CROSS, DO YOU NEED TO TAKE WITH YOU TODAY?