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TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS We
adore you O Christ and we praise you because by your holy cross, you have
redeemed the world (14th September 2008) THE 7 STEPS
1.
SILENCE
2.
WORSHIP
3.
SCRIPTURE
4.
MEDITATION
5.
BY HEART
6.
INTERCESSION
7.
COVENANT PRAYER Find Me At The Cross Here I stand forgiven Here I stand holy and righteous You paid the price when you laid down your life Jesus, I surrender
all And I’ll walk with
you in my heart I’ll walk with you in my heart Find me at the cross Down on my knees Thank you Lord, for saving me |
Scripture Jesus said: ‘…the Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes
may have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave
his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may
have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the
world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’ Meditation: Try to answer as many
questions as possible
1.
What was the cross used
for during the time of Jesus? Was it
used for good or evil? How would
someone in the time of Jesus feel standing in front of the cross?
2.
Why did Moses lift up
the serpent in the desert? (Read Num
21:4-9) Of all the symbols he could
have chosen, why did he choose a serpent?
What kind of symbol was the serpent?
3.
How was Jesus lifted
up? What was the purpose for Jesus to
be lifted up?
4.
Why did Jesus have to
be crucified on the cross to save us?
Can’t God choose a different way, less violent or brutal?
5.
Good Friday is
incomprehensible without Easter Sunday – if one does away with the fact of
the Resurrection, one also does away with the Cross, for both stand and fall
together. When you are at the foot of
the cross looking up at Jesus, do you see death or do you see life? Why?
By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your
daily life situation The triumph of the cross is a triumph of love over hate, life over
death. It is because we believe that
the crucified Christ lives with us, we hope that:
-
in times of crisis, God
will help us to find a way to survive;
-
when we face
difficulties, he will help us to overcome them
-
when tragedies
devastate our homes, he will help us rebuild what was lost
-
when some of our
precious dreams are destroyed by mistakes, he will inspire us to start over
again
-
there is always hope
even for a family where all love between the members seems to have died New life will always spring from the Cross.
Intercession:
1.
For the sick among us, especially Mark Loh who
is suffering from cancer, that the love and healing power of God might
triumph in his life
2.
For all who have lost their faith in God, that they might experience the
unconditional love of God the Father
3.
For all of us, that we might never be ashamed of the cross but defend it
faithfully in our daily lives
4.
For all who are burdened with life, that they might be strengthened and
persevere in living the gospel message faithfully
5.
For all who have died in our families, that the Risen Lord will raise
them up and give them eternal life Covenant Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death
and resurrection, you give us new life:
a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for
you are the source of life. Guide us
on our pilgrimage of life, that following you
faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love
and truth. Enlighten our minds and
hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our
lives. Help us not to fall into sin
and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are
the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and
sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their
faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled. In your name we humbly pray. Amen |
