The Message of the Cross
Easter 2018 • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 351 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Message of the Cross
The Message of the Cross
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
What does the cross say to you?
The preaching of the Cross is the heart of the Christian message
Why? Because of what happened we are saved from our sins
The cross passes judgement on us all
You can not remain neutral on this matter.
It has always divided mankind and it still does.
It is either an offense or we glory in it.
Where do you stand.
Illustration - what is your position
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Your reaction to the cross is the “test”.
It searches us out it demands a decision.
I. THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS
I. THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
A Strange Message - (That there should be life out of death. Ill.
A Strange Message - (That there should be life out of death. Ill.
The Jews were looking for a Messiah Who would throw off the Roman yoke and give them liberty from their captors.
They totally missed the fact that their Messiah would be One Who would suffer for the sins of the people, .)
1 Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, And as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; And when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah
Some say I believe in doing good ; I believe in morals; I believe in treating people kindly; but don't tell me about the cross.
To them it is "foolishness". This word comes from the same word from which we get our word "Moron".
To them it is "foolishness". This word comes from the same word from which we get our word "Moron". To the lost the idea of trusting a suffering, bleeding man for salvation is moronic! Ill. !)
To the lost the idea of trusting a suffering, bleeding man for salvation is moronic! Ill. !)
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
To them it is "foolishness". This word comes from the same word from which we get our word "Moron". To the lost the idea of trusting a suffering, bleeding man for salvation is moronic! Ill. !)
A Shocking Message - (A brutal, awful death was experienced there on that cross.)The death Christ died on the cross was one of absolute torture. You and I cannot even begin to imagine all the pain that Jesus was forced to endure for our sakes. Allow me to refresh your mind this morning about the terrible price Jesus paid for you as He suffered for sin that day.
1. Scourged -
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
2. Beaten -
63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
3. Spit upon -
3. Spit upon -
4. Beard Plucked from His Face -
5. Mocked -
6. Stripped Naked -
Nailed to the Cross - ;
(Ill. The ancient Assyrians were the first to "crucify" their victims. However, they did not nail them to cross, they merely impaled them on sharpened stakes and left them to die a horrible death that often took several days. When the Romans came along, they streamlined the method and added the little touch of actually nailing their victims to the cross. This method of death usually took several days as well.)
These truths don't even begin to scratch the surface of Jesus suffered for you and me, . His was a bitter cup, but one that He drank of willingly so that we might be saved, .
Christ demolishes all our preconceived ideas
II. THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS
II. THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
About Making A Statement - Since way back in the Old Testament, the Lord has been telling me of His love for them, ; .
About Making A Statement - Since way back in the Old Testament, the Lord has been telling me of His love for them, ; .
However, in Christ's death on the cross, God was able to declare boldly, for all to see, His boundless, matchless love for the lost of this world.() The cross is God's statement of love to the world - !
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
isaiah
The biggest problem is that we don't understand substitution.:
The cross is an offense to our pride.
The cross hurts pride because it says we are failure
It says our works will not save us
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Going to church does not save you.
It leaves us helpless, hopeless, and hell deserving damned sinners.
Have you ever felt that way.
Providing Salvation - The Bible, tells us that there is no other way to cleanse sin, but through the sacrifice of an innocent one in the of the guilty one, .
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
This is seen all the way back in the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, . This same line of thought continues all the way through the days of the Tabernacle and the Temple.
This is seen all the way back in the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, . This same line of thought continues all the way through the days of the Tabernacle and the Temple.
There, sin was atoned for by the blood of sheep, bulls and goats, but it was never taken away, ; .
However, the Lord Jesus went to the cross and died for the sins of humanity. When He did, His death on the cross forever settled the sin debt of man, ;
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
heb 10
For the Christian he glories in the cross
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
GAL 6.
Their is an exclusiveness in Boasting in the Cross
There is nothing more significant
why?
A man hanging on it
God on it
A paradox immortal but he dies
A sinless man
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
He did not wait for Paul to be a convert to love him; he loved Paul as he was blaspheming as Saul of Tarsus.
the same is for me when I see the cross I see God bearing punishment for my sins.
The author of life that I may live.
The only response is to glory in it
III. THE POWER OF THE CROSS
III. THE POWER OF THE CROSS
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(Ill. When the power of the cross is appropriated, three great and wonderful things take place. Notice what they are:)
Sin Dies - When a person places his/her faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, that person is forever changed! The chains of sin are broken, , and they are made into a new creature, .
Now, the new born believer does not have to live his life in bondage to sin, ! (Ill. The blood has the power the change every life touched by it!
There really is wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb!
Illustration - i have lost my desire to sin
B. Hell Is Defeated - One of the most precious verses in the Bible pertaining to this subject is found in . There, the Bible tells us that we will never come into condemnation! confirms this for us! Thank God, no child of God will ever have to go to Hell, Satan will not get his wish! That ought to cause us to rejoice this morning!
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Heaven Is Delivered - The blood is the key that unlocks the gates of glory! When the blood is applied, the child of God becomes instantly destined for an eternity in Heaven with the Lord! That is His promise to every believer, . And, there is only one way to get to that glorious place, ; .
Has the blood been applied to your life? Is your name written down in Heaven? Is your faith in Jesus and in Him alone?
If you need to come to Jesus for salvation this morning, this altar is open! If you need to come and get you walk with God straightened out, this altar is open. You come while the Lord is dealing with your heart today!
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
What do you think of the cross?