The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will Make Many Righteous

Introduction:

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

The Cross in Isaiah (Isaiah 53):

1. What is the prophecy of the messiah's suffering?
2. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy on the cross?

   2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.

3. What does this prophecy mean for us?

   Philippians 3:3-6 - For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

5 Things People Think Make Them Righteous - That Don't: (Philippians 3:5-6)

1. Ceremony (Phil 3:5)
2. Heritage (Phil 3:5)
3. Understanding the facts (Phil 3:5)
4. Motives (Phil 3:6)
5. Perfect Record (Phil 3:6)

   Philippians 3:7-9 - But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 53:11, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:3-9

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What truth from Scripture amazes you the most, personally? What’s so amazing about Isaiah 53:11 saying he will make many to be accounted righteous?
   

3. Why do you think people have a hard time believing that righteousness comes only from Jesus? Why do you think so many people insist that there is something WE must do to make God accept us?
   

4. Look at the list of 5 Things People Think Make Them Righteous - That Don’t (from Philippians 3:3-6). Which of these have been the biggest temptation for you to trust instead of / in addition to Christ?
   

5. How would you respond to someone who says “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will Take Away Guilt

Introduction:

The Cross in Leviticus (Leviticus 16:15-22):

1. What is the prophecy of the messiah's suffering?
2. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy on the cross?

   Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

3. What does this prophecy mean for us?

5 Things God Said to Remind Yourself When You Are Feeling Guilty:

1. My guilt is Removed .

   Psalm 103:12 - as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

2. My guilt is Lost .

   Micah 7:19 - You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

3. My guilt is Pardoned .

   Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4. My guilt is Paid For .

   Psalm 32:2 - Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

5. My guilt is Not Remembered .

   Jeremiah 31:34 - For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

   Isaiah 43:25 - I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Leviticus 16:7-10, 15-16, 20-22 and Luke 23:39-43

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think many Christians wrestle with guilt? In what way do you personally struggle with guilt?
   

3. Explain the purposes of the 2 goats in the Day of Atonement sacrifice. How do they point to the work of Jesus?
   

4. Why is the thief on the cross a great example of how Jesus takes our guilt away?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will Save from Death

Introduction:

The Cross in Exodus (Exodus 12:1-13):

1. What is the prophecy of the messiah's suffering?
2. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy on the cross?

   John 19:28-29 - After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

   Exodus 12:22 - Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin.

3. What does this prophecy mean for us?

   Revelation 20:14 - Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.

So What Happens to Me When I Die?

1. You Don't .

   John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

2. You go Immediately to heaven.

   Philippians 1:23 - My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

   2 Corinthians 5:8 - Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

3. You eventually get your Glorified Body .

   1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Exodus 12:1–13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. On a scale of 1-5, how scared are you of dying? 1 = can’t wait to go, 5 = I am terrified of death. Why do you rate yourself that way? How often do you think about your own death?
   

3. What does the Passover depict regarding Jesus Christ? What are some of the images of Passover in Egypt that are fulfilled in Jesus’ death on the cross?
   

4. Explain, specifically, from 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 how the death of Jesus defeated death for us.
   

5. What would you say to a friend who says to you, “I am afraid of dying!”

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will Defeat the Devil

Introduction:

The Cross in Genesis (Genesis 3:15):

1. What is the prophecy of the Messiah's suffering?

   John 8:44

2. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy on the cross?

   Hebrews 2:14 - through death he (Jesus) might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

   Hebrews 2:15 - and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

3. What does this prophecy mean for us?

   Revelation 12:11 - And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

How to Conquer Satan (Revelation 12:11):

1. Perceive how satan is conquered: By the Blood of the Lamb.
2. Personally receive Jesus Christ: Have a Testimony .

   1 John 5:4 - this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith

3. Persevere to the end: All the way to Death .

   Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 2:14-15, and Revelation 12:11

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. When it comes to Satan, do you lean more towards giving him zero thought (as if he’s NOT prowling around like a lion) or giving him too much thought (you are overly focused on him)? Explain why you lean that way.
   

3. Specifically, how did Jesus’ death on the cross defeat Satan?
   

4. What exactly does it mean to have a testimony (Revelation 12:11)? What are some elements of a testimony?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Redeeming Ruth - The Fulfilled Promises of God

Introduction:

The Fulfilled Promises of God... (Ruth 4):

1. Come at a Cost . (Ruth 4:1-12)

   Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

   Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.

2. Exceed my Own Expectations . (Ruth 4:13-17b)

   Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

3. Are bigger than Me . (Ruth 4:17c-22)

   Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

   2 Samuel 7:16 - "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."

   Luke 1:32-33 - "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will no end."

   2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.

   Number 23:19 - "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?""

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 4:1-22

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Talk through all that Jesus had to sacrifice to fulfill His Father’s promises. How would your life be different if you meditated upon these truths multiple times a day?
   

3. What does the average American expect from life? What should the Christian expect from life?
   

4. How do you see yourself holding God to promises that He never made in His Word?
   

5. Why is it freeing to know that life isn’t about you and that you’re important but not THAT important?

Breakout
Share any frustrations or disappointments that you are experiencing in this current season of life.

Read Romans 8:28 and pray for each other in light of the truths found in this verse.