58 | The Shadow, Cross, & Glory of Calvary

In a sermon delivered by Pastor Josh Strelecki, he delves into the profound mystery of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, using Ephesians 4:8-10 as the foundational text. Pastor Strelecki focuses on the paradigm of descent and ascent that characterizes Christ's journey from heavenly glory to earthly suffering and ultimately to His resurrection and exaltation. He explores the "shadow of Calvary," highlighting the prophecies and events that foreshadowed Christ's crucifixion, including His agony in the garden of Gethsemane and His arrest. Through vivid descriptions of Christ's willing sacrifice and His loneliness as His disciples failed Him in His hour of need, Pastor Strelecki emphasizes the significance of Jesus' obedience and the unparalleled love demonstrated by taking on the sin of humanity—being forsaken by the Father so that believers might receive righteousness and eternal life.

By drawing insights from various biblical texts, such as Isaiah, John, and Hebrews, Pastor Strelecki underscores the power of Christ's resurrection as the ultimate validation of His identity and purpose. He articulates the victory over sin and death that believers partake in because of Christ's completed work on the cross and His exalted position at the right hand of God. The sermon closes with a call for listeners to place their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, urging them to receive the free gift of righteousness through belief in the risen Savior. Finally, he invites all to trust in Christ's finished work, emphasizing that knowing Christ and being part of His eternal glory surpasses all earthly pursuits.