sf995 - The Cross - The Freedom To Love Accept And Forgive (Various Scriptures)
various Scriptures
Introduction
The cross is all about grace. God meeting His standards in the death of Christ!
By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, In Christ Alone.
Example the story of John Newton – “Amazing Grace”
The cross transforms wretches into children of God. It is the cross that connects us to God’s grace.
When we have experienced God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness at the cross we are free to extend that love, acceptance and forgiveness to others.
2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
The world is longing for love, acceptance, and forgiveness, but it cannot be earned, it is only available by God’s grace through the cross. We must demonstrate these truths to the world.
1A. The Freedom to Love Others
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
The key work in this verse is “as” meaning in the same way.
1B. We will ultimately treat others the way we perceive that God treats us!
If we see God’s love as conditional, we will love others conditionally.
Most people have never experienced the love of God.
2B. Most church members know about the love of God but have never experienced it.
Paul prays that we will know the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-19)
Ø Must be more than intellectual knowledge that leads to dead, dry orthodoxy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.
Ø Lord I want to experience your love emotionally.
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Ø God’s love overflows in and through us.
2A. The Freedom to Accept Others
Romans 15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
We long to be accepted that is why rejection is so painful.
1B. In the cross we experience acceptance by God
Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
We must experience this acceptance.
Ø Too often we see God as operating on a performance based acceptance.
2B. God is grieved when we sin and He disciplines us.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.
He never rejects His children and He never places us on probation.
Our acceptance is based on Jesus and He never changes.
When we truly repent we are immediately restored and accepted.
3B. We must accept others as God has accepted us.
If we don’t we reveal our motives, that our obedience is self-centered, dry and dead.
We are guilty of extending acceptance based on performance not grace.
Too often we only accept those who are like us, adding this to our sinfulness. We hurt one another!
True love confronts: Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ
When we ignore others we communicate rejection.
Have you really ever accepted your acceptance by God?
3A. The Freedom to Forgive Others
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
1B. How are we forgiven?
The cross was sufficient for our forgiveness.
2B. How do we forgive others?
When we are wronged we remember how much the Lord has forgiven us.
We must experience these truths not simply know and believe them.
This is the day God has made to experience these truths.