Housing costs have soared. Grocery prices have risen dramatically. As a result, many people today are in debt that is on a razor’s edge of what they can pay. But there is a different kind of debt – one we all have – one that none of us can pay. It is a debt that has eternal consequences and only one payment plan. We are continuing on in our series What About the Cross? with Sunday’s message “Our Record of Wrongs” to see how we can all be completely debt free!
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES (also as PDF download above)
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WARM UP
When was financial debt the biggest issue to you? Why?
READ
Hebrews 7:27, 10:10; I John 3:16; I Peter 3:18; John 17:9; Romans 5:9; I Peter 2:24; Colossians 2:14; Galatians 1:4
TAKEAWAY
Two things to keep in mind:
1. We are born owing God everything
2. Our debt is too big to pay
The cross is:
1. Intentional
2. Purposeful
3. Effective
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Some critics describe the cross as child abuse (God abusing his son). How would you respond to that?
2. Describe atonement. What difference does this make in our day to day lives?
APPLICATION
How do you see people today trying to do - as Bill Mayer suggested, “paying their own debt?”
FOR MENTORING
Think for a moment about how Jesus willingly gave himself up for you. If you really believed that, what effect would it have on your life?
