What the Cross Does to Us (2 Corinthians 5:14–21)

Scripture Reading

Pastor Raul Gomez

Matthew 27:45–54 CSB

45 From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Matthew 27:45–54 NVI

45 Desde el mediodía y hasta las tres de la tarde toda la tierra quedó en oscuridad. 46 Como a las tres de la tarde, Jesús gritó con fuerza: —Elí, Elí, ¿lema sabactani? —que significa “Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?”. 47 Cuando lo oyeron, algunos de los que estaban allí dijeron: —Está llamando a Elías. 48 Al instante uno de ellos corrió en busca de una esponja. La empapó en vinagre, la puso en una vara y se la ofreció a Jesús para que bebiera. 49 Los demás decían: —Déjalo, a ver si viene Elías a salvarlo. 50 Entonces Jesús volvió a gritar con fuerza y entregó su espíritu. 51 En ese momento, la cortina del santuario del Templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba a abajo. La tierra tembló y se partieron las rocas. 52 Se abrieron los sepulcros y muchos creyentes que habían muerto resucitaron. 53 Salieron de los sepulcros y, después de la resurrección de Jesús, entraron en la ciudad santa y se aparecieron a muchos. 54 Cuando el centurión y los que con él estaban custodiando a Jesús vieron el terremoto y todo lo que había sucedido, quedaron aterrados y exclamaron: —¡Verdaderamente este era el Hijo de Dios!

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Introduction

Buenas noches a todos. Estoy muy feliz porque la iglesia Príncipe de Paz está con nosotros esta noche.

Estoy estudiando español y todavía estoy aprendiendo… pero quiero mejorar, porque pienso que el español tal vez será el idioma del cielo—¡así que quiero empezar a hablarlo ahora!

Un día, quiero hablar bien para predicar un sermón en español, para predicar como el Pastor Raúl. Pero hoy, voy a predicar el resto en inglés.

Un día, en español.

I am going to preach in English.

I said in Spanish, “I’m happy that Príncipe de Paz is with us tonight. I’m studying Spanish and I want to get better, because I think Spanish might be the language of heaven, so I better start speaking it now.”

I’ve been attending the Spanish Bible study that we have here in the chapel led by Príncipe de Paz every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. It’s a great Bible study. They’re currently going verse by verse through the book of 1 Timothy. If you speak or want to learn Spanish, I encourage you to attend on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in the chapel. If you like, you could come on Wednesdays for Prayer Refresh at 7:00 PM, and then go to the chapel afterward for the Spanish Bible study.

Tonight, we gather for something sacred. On Good Friday we remember the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross is central to our Christian faith. La muerte de Cristo en la cruz es el corazón de nuestra fe cristiana.

It's incredible how much of the New Testament focuses on the death of Jesus. Most people in Scripture are remembered for how they lived, but Jesus is remembered for how he died.

I asked my friend, ChatGPT, to analyze the New Testament for every mention or allusion to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. AI determined there are about 10,000 words in the New Testament that mention or allude to the death of Jesus on the cross. If that's true, that's about 1 out of every 15 words.

About 40 percent of the Gospel of Mark focuses on the last week of Jesus' earthly ministry, his death, and resurrection. The Passion Week fills about half of John's Gospel.

Paul’s letters constantly come back to the cross. Talking about his preaching and the preaching of the early church, he says in 1 Corinthians 1:23, “We preach Christ crucified.” In 1 Corinthians 2:2, he says, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” In Galatians 6:14 he says, “I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The cross is a central part of the book we are going through in our current sermon series, the book of Hebrews. Much of the conversation we've had around the priesthood of Jesus Christ centers on the sacrifice of his body on the cross. Hebrews 10:10 says, "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time."

At the end of the Bible, the book of Revelation points to the cross by presenting Jesus as the Lamb who was slaughtered, saying in Revelation 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12 (NVI) «¡Digno es el Cordero, que ha sido sacrificado, de recibir el poder, la riqueza y la sabiduría, la fortaleza y la honra, la gloria y la alabanza!».

The cross is central to the Christian faith. What does the death of Jesus Christ mean for us? We’ll look at that today through 2 Corinthians 5:14–21. If you have your Bible, please turn to 2 Corinthians 5. Por favor, abran sus Biblias en Segunda de Corintios, capítulo cinco, versículos catorce al veintiuno.

In answering the question, “What does the cross mean for us?,” the first thing that we’ll see in these verses is our first point,

I. The Cross Transforms Who We Live For

Look at 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 CSB

14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

En español,

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NVI

14 El amor de Cristo nos obliga, porque estamos convencidos de que uno murió por todos y por consiguiente todos murieron. 15 Y él murió por todos, para que los que viven ya no vivan para sí, sino para el que murió por ellos y fue resucitado.

He says, “For the love of Christ compels us.” He’s not talking about our love for Jesus. He’s talking about the love of Jesus Christ for us. That’s important.

The word translated “compels” means to press in and around to leave little room for movement. It means to hold in custody. The love of Jesus Christ for us seizes us. It presses in on us. There is no room for movement away from the love of Jesus Christ. His love grips our souls and holds us close to him.

For us, the love of Jesus Christ is not just an emotional love. It is a demonstrated love for us, a love shown to us through the cross.

It says that Jesus Christ died for all, Jesucristo murió por todos. Who is he talking about when he says “all”? When he says “all,” he means everyone united to Christ by faith. Todos los que están unidos a Cristo por la fe.

Romans 6:6 says “our old self was crucified with him.” Romans 6:8 says followers of Jesus have “died with Christ.” When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you become a participant in the cross because your old self died with him.

By participating in the cross, the cross will transform who you live for. When we see his love for us on the cross, we no longer want to live for ourselves. We want to live for our Savior, Jesus Christ!

The cross breaks the power of self-centered living. Our natural self wants to look out for us. Our natural self wants things. It craves things to make us comfortable and tries its best to hold onto control.

But when we see Jesus on the cross, we realize that we are best under his control, not our own.

When you live for Jesus and shift from self-centered to Jesus-centered living, he shapes your priorities, time, money, and relationships. What Jesus has done for you on the cross changes everything.

The question in your life changes from, "What do I want to do with my life?" to, "How can I live for the One who gave his life for me?" ¿Cómo puedo vivir para el que murió por mí?

The cross transforms who we live for. Another thing the cross does,

II. The Cross Reconciles Us to God

Look at 2 Corinthians 5:18-19,

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 CSB

18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

En español,

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NVI

18 Todo esto proviene de Dios, quien por medio de Cristo nos reconcilió consigo mismo y nos dio el ministerio de la reconciliación. 19 Esto es, que en Cristo, Dios estaba reconciliando al mundo consigo mismo, no tomándole en cuenta sus pecados y encargándonos a nosotros el mensaje de la reconciliación.

There’s a big word in this verse: “Reconciliation.” Reconciliation is one of those big Bible words that throw us off. We don’t go around using it. We don’t go around saying:

I argued with my wife last night, but don’t worry. We reconciled over tacos.

I couldn’t decide between Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out, but I reconciled with a double-double and waffle fries.

My toddler threw a toy at my head, and we haven’t reconciled yet.

You can start using the word now. But do you know what the Bible means when it talks about reconciliation? Reconciliation is about restoring a broken relationship, and that's what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Jesus didn't fix a misunderstanding; he created a way where there was no way. Jesus didn't strike a bargain with us and meet us halfway. He didn't say, "You do this thing, and I'll do that thing." We didn't have the power to take one step toward him. Instead, the Son of God came all the way to us through the cross.

Before the cross, the relationship between God and us was broken, and there was nothing any human being in this world could do to fix our broken relationship with God. Our sin didn't just cause a distance between us and God. It caused an eternal separation, a chasm that we couldn't change.

The mission of Jesus when he came was to do what was impossible for man. His mission was to create a way for people to have their sins forgiven, draw near to God, and enjoy a relationship with him. Jesus came to bridge the chasm between man and God. So, how did God do this? It says exactly how God did this in 2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

En español,

2 Corinthians 5:21 NVI

21 Al que no cometió pecado alguno, por nosotros Dios lo trató como pecador, para que en él recibiéramos la justicia de Dios.

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us. This verse is the great exchange of the gospel: Jesus got what we deserved and, in exchange, gives you what is rightfully his. Jesus took on our guilt so we could have his righteousness. Listen to this: At the cross, God treated Jesus as if he lived your life so that God could treat you as if you lived his.

Our sin on Jesus and his righteousness on us is the incredible work of the cross. Because of the cross, you don’t have to clean yourself up to come to God. Because of the cross, you don’t have to try to be good to make God happy. When you are in Christ, you are already righteous because of Jesus. God is pleased in you because when he sees you, he sees his Son, Jesus. As Romans 8:1 says, “There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Christian, you can draw near to God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Maybe you don’t feel like you’re good enough for God. I have news for you: None of us are. But do you know what the cross says? The cross says that Jesus is enough for you. La cruz dice que Jesús es suficiente para ti.

The cross transforms who we live for, reconciles us to God, and last,

III. The Cross Sends Us with a Message

Look at 2 Corinthians 5:20,

2 Corinthians 5:20 CSB

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

En español,

2 Corinthians 5:20 NVI

20 Así que somos embajadores de Cristo, como si Dios los exhortara a ustedes por medio de nosotros: «En nombre de Cristo les rogamos que se reconcilien con Dios».

Do you know that the cross gave you a new identity? We now represent Jesus Christ to the world because of what he did for us on the cross.

That's what an ambassador is. An ambassador is a representative of a king and a kingdom.

When you see that sentence, "We are ambassadors for Christ, it's essential to identify the "we." Is the "we" that Paul is talking about just him and the apostles? Is the "we" just church leaders or pastors? No. Do you know who the "we" is? "We" is everyone who has been reconciled to God and drawn near to him through Jesus Christ. Your life represents to the world the power of the cross.

When you are saved, the cross doesn't just bring you in. The cross sends you out on a mission. Your life is on a mission with a message because to be in Jesus is to be a person on a mission.

Christian, your life has a real purpose. God saved you so that when people look at you, they see Jesus, and because of his work in you, they understand what the cross means. You represent Jesus to the world because of the cross.

Your life matters to God's mission. When you forgive, serve, and speak the truth in love, pray, and show mercy and grace, your love for God is contagious and shows the world the power of the cross. God tells the world through you, "This is what Jesus does. This is what the cross means." The cross means that you can have life by drawing near to God because God loved you and sent his Son to die on the cross for you. The appeal of the cross says this: Come and be reconciled to God.

Conclusion

Maybe that's God's appeal to you. You don't know what it is to be reconciled to God. You haven't put your faith in Jesus Christ. You feel trapped in self-centered living and have never had Jesus as the center of your life.

The cross is not a message of guilt or shame. The cross is a message of God's great love for you.

La cruz dice que Jesús es suficiente para ti. God is not waiting for you to clean yourself up. He invites you as you are.

The good news is that, in Christ, God doesn't see your old self. Jesus took all of your brokenness, your guilt, your shame, and your sins on the cross. Put your faith in Jesus Christ and be changed forever.

The cross changes everything. Christian, you are reconciled, forgiven, and sent with a message. The cross is God's message to the world: Be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Dios te dice por la cruz: Vuélvete a Él y entrégale tu vida a Jesucristo.

Prayer

Communion

We will have communion, remembering Jesus and his sacrifice for us. If you are a Christian, we invite you to take communion with us. Meditate on the Lord and where your heart is with him.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 CSB

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Last Song

Doxology

Jesus died on the cross on Friday, and rose again on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you on Resurrection Sunday! You are dismissed. God bless!