THE DARKEST MOMENT IN HUMAN HISTORY WAS TURNED INTO GLORIOUS VICTORY BY CHRIST'S FAITHFULNESS

1. The moment so terrible that the sun hid its face- divides all mankind into saved & lost!
2. Many men would prefer another kind of Christ; the shame of the cross is offensive-
3. But History records FACTS - Men are saved by their faith in FACTS! When men try to change the Facts to suit themselves- they violate God's law, and the wages of sin is death!

I.- THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST IN FACT  Matt. 27

The Scriptures are only the beginnings of the historical accounts of what happened that time

A.- THE ROMAN SOLDIERS SCOURGED JESUS, AND MOCKED HIM IN A TERRIBLE WAY Matt 27:26-31

1. Scourging was a part of their trial -but Pilate had already determined his fate -Lawyers?
2. The soldiers hated the Jews- and took out their hatred on Jesus by mocking Him- Sociologists
3. The Jews were so anxious to get him killed- they took upon themselves His blood- v.25 -Historians

B.- BETWEEN TWO THIEVES THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, SUCH A FEW WORDS TO DESCRIBE SUCH A TERRIBLE DEATH

1. I used to wonder how the cross I knew could kill- Men try it today- Physician explained it-
2. A strong man could endure 3-4 days, when pain made legs give out he could not breathe -strangled

C.- THEY THAT PASSED BY REVILED HIM - Matt 27:39, -44 - A TORN HEART AS WELL AS TORN HANDS, FEET!

1. Pilate mocked the Jews by the sign "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" v.37 in 3 languages
2. The leaders had to find some way to repudiate this and sent out men to cloud the truth!
3. They mocked him on 4 counts - (Mark & Matthew shows clearly to cloud the truth of Cross) a.-The New truth regarding Israel's religion- John 2:19 "Destroy this Temple- & Rebuild- b.-The truth of his relationship with the Father Matt 26:63- If thou be Son of God - c.-The Salvation that touches body and soul- "He saved others-let Him save self" - d.-The Political issue of Israel & her King Matt 27:11 -If he be King- let him come down!
4. Could Jesus have come down from the cross- Matt 26:53- 72,000 Angels ready to help him!
5. Jesus bore their scorn, and stayed on the Cross to be your Savior! No other way!

II.- THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - "IF "

Throughout His public ministry Jesus was asked for signs- not for faith but to tempt Him

A.- THE TEMPTATIONS OF SATAN AND MAN THAT WERE HURLED AT JESUS INVOLVED THE BIG "IF "

1. Satan- Matt 4:3,6 Tempted Jesus- beginning "If thou be the Son of God" Prove it!
2. Men at the cross cried again- "If thou be the Son of God" - Prove it & we will believe!
3. But in each case they demanded that Jesus reject God's plan & follow theirs! - Want my way!
4. Today men often say- "I'd believe in Jesus IF- He will do what I want" -show sign, heal, save

B.- THE PREACHING OF ANOTHER GOSPEL, AND THE SEEKING OF ANOTHER CHRIST BRINGS DOUBLE CURSE

1. Some want the Christ of Culture, Ritual, Mysticism, Education, Psychology, -not Christ of God
2. It is only the Christ of the Cross that can forgive your sin, prepare you for resurrection
3. Woman in hospital told her minister "This is where God want's me to be."  Pray I'd be faithful

C.- WHY DO MEN JOIN SATAN IN TEMPTING JESUS WITH A BIG "IF", TRYING TO CHANGE HISTORY & GOD ? ?

1. The cross cries out that sinful men crucified their Lord! So Pope absolved the Jews!- NO!
2. The cross shows me my sin! I am a sinner! - In me dwelleth no good thing!- All liars!
3. The same Pride that caused Satan's fall- keeps us from coming to Cross that shows our guilt.

But this Cross is the only way whereby our sins can be forgiven, we find atonement!--

III.- LET GOD TEST US WITH FOUR "IF'S" FROM WORD

A.- Job 14:14 - "IF A MAN DIE, WILL HE LIVE AGAIN? Is life all there is?

1. Humanism and Communism both say- this is all there is to life- so wrong, so deadly!
2. All the Religions of the World try to prepare man to face God- choose yours now!

B.- I Cor 15:17 "IF CHRIST BE NOT RISEN, YE ARE YET IN YOUR SINS" THE PROOF OF SALVATION

1. Christ died to pay the price for our sins- My sins put him on the Cross- & God accepted it
2. Jesus arose to prove to all that the Sacrifice was accepted, our sins forgiven- Life Force

C.- Heb 2:3 "HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION" - A QUESTION WITH NO ANSWER

1. There is no escape if we neglect the only Salvation historically factual!- Scientific law
2. Have you personally Confessed Christ- or are you waiting for Your "IF" to come true?
3. Demand your way- is to look for a slave, to accept His way is to believe in a Savior!

D.- Col 3:1 IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE..."

1. If you are born again- then live like it!- just as factual as the cross & resurrection!
2. God's word says -be Baptized, Be a part of the Church, Learn to Walk with Him-Stewardship

EASTER SUNDAY MORNING WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO START LIVING BY FACTS OF GOD'S WORD, NOT YOUR "IF'S!"