When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #315

INTRODUCTION:

1. "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

A. This title suggests that you are taking a look back at the cross.

1. What do you see as you look back at the cross?

A. What makes it wondrous?

1. Was the cross wondrous?

B. What does the cross mean to you?

C. What did the cross mean to the first century Christian?

2. These are questions we need to focus our thoughts on as we study this song.

BODY:

1. "WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS"

A. What do you see as you look back at the cross?

1. I think that we see something different than the first century Christian.

A. Picture an execution by gallows, electric chair, or lethal injection taking place and what it would be like to witness this event.

1. These are quick, humane ways of execution.

2. The cross was not quick nor was it humane.

2. Picture yourself at the foot of the cross looking up at Jesus when you sing this song.

A. As you stand at the foot of the cross, look around and see who is there.

Matthew 26:46–56 NKJV

46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

1. When they came to arrest Jesus, everyone fled.

B. Even Peter, one of His twelve, would deny knowing Him.

Luke 22:54–60 NKJV

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

C. Standing at the foot of the Cross were four people.

1. His mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, and John.

John 19:25–27 NKJV

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

D. Where were the rest of the disciples?

1. The cross was a symbol of death and seen as a curse.

Galatians 3:13 NKJV

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

Deuteronomy 21:23 NKJV

23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

E. How do you think Mary and John perceived the cross?

1. Do you think Mary thought the cross was wonderful as her Son died upon it?

2. Do you think John thought the cross was wonderful as His Savior and friend died?

3. What are we seeing as we look back at the cross that makes it wondrous?

A. Are we seeing the suffering Savior?

1. A Savior who was beaten.

John 19:1 NKJV

1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

2. A Savior who had nails driven through His hands and feet.

John 20:27 NKJV

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

3. A Savior whose blood was running down the cross.

Matthew 26:28 NKJV

28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

2. "ON WHICH THE PRINCE OF GLORY DIED"

A. Do we remember that it was the cross that murdered our Savior?

1. How many people today glorify the cross instead of Jesus?

A. I want to pose a couple of questions...

1. Was the cross wondrous because it was made of gold and hung around the neck or displayed as piece of Jewelry?

2. Was the cross wondrous because it was decorated and displayed as something beautiful in and of itself?

3. Do we see the cross as something that should be displayed, beautifully decorated or worn as jewelry?

2. The cross is only wonderful with Christ upon it.

A. The cross is only beautiful because it is stained with His blood.

Revelation 1:5–6 NKJV

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

B. The cross is only wondrous because the Prince of Glory died upon it.

1 Corinthians 2:7–8 NKJV

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

C. Without Christ upon the cross, it is simply just another means of execution.

3. "MY RICHEST GAIN I COUNT BUT LOSS"

A. Whatever I count to be my most precious possession, I would give it up.

Philippians 3:7–8 NKJV

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

1. What do you consider to be your richest gain?

A. A Car?

B. A Farm or Ranch?

C. A House?

2. The question that you must ask yourself is, would you give it up?

3. The young, rich ruler would not count it rubbish for Christ.

Mark 10:17–22 NKJV

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

4. "AND POUR CONTEMPT ON ALL MY PRIDE"

A. Definition of the word 'contempt.'

1. The act of despising: the state of mind of one who despises: disdain

B. Another definition of the word 'contempt' is:

1. The feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

C. When one is feeling pride because of his accomplishments or things, he must pour contempt on his pride.

James 4:10 NKJV

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

CONCLUSION:

1. As we sing let us remember to:

A. Be at the foot of the cross looking at Jesus.

B. Remember why the cross is wondrous.

C. Not to rely on our earthly possessions.

D. To be humble.

2. Remember to survey the wondrous cross as it was.