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The Christ Of The Cross
Gal. 6:14. Peter, on at least one occasion, apparently thought
that Jesus could be the Christ without the cross and the Lord
rebuked him, Matt. 16:21?23. We do not think about the suffering
and death of Christ as much as we should. We do not concentrate
on the cross in our preaching as we should. But, in truth, we
cannot have Jesus without His crucifixion — He is and always
will be the Christ of the cross.
(2) Without the Cross there is no Christ. In the gospel, the Lord’s
“glory” is always connected to His “suffering.”
Heb. 2:9-10. In Psa. 22:1?18; Isa. 53:1?12, the Old Testament
scriptures predicted that the Christ would suffer The Jews found
the cross offensive. Messiah’s don’t die like criminals.
Their mistake was in failing to realize the vicarious nature of
Christ’s suffering and indignity. Eph. 5:1-2. Yes, Jesus
was under God’s curse — but for our sins ? Paul said
in Gal. 3:13-14.
a. The gospel of Christ is nothing less than the “message
of the cross” 1 Cor. 1:17-
18; 1 Cor. 2:1?2.
(1) Read with me Matthew’s account of the crucifixion: Matt.
27:32?50. The cross proves the immensity of God’s love for
you and me. God loves us more than we can realize or describe
? Jno. 3:16-17. 1 Jno. 3:16.
(1) It was is a demonstrated love. Rom. 5:8.
The cross is the proof God has given of His love for the times
when we
may be tempted to doubt it —and this is the answer to the
“problem of pain.”
Jesus’ death on the cross gives us a model of self?sacrificial
love. Matt. 20:28, “My blood of the New Covenant...”
Eph. 5:25; “Love and sacrifice the way Christ did.”
Jno. 10:11; "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
down his life for the sheep.” Phil. 2:3?8. Read with me Marks
account of the crucifixion: Mk. 15:21?37. Paul’s dynamic
commitment is explained by Christ’s sacrifical love, “The
love of Christ constrains us.” 2 Cor. 5:14-15. Remember the
words of the song we sang a while ago? “I gave My life for
thee, what hast thou giv’n for Me?” “Love Lifted
Me.” The cross is our greatest motivator to obedience and
service.
(b) Genuine gratitude for the cross reveals itself in our relationship
with
other people and in our involvement in the work of the congregation.
The cross is our greatest reason to endure persecution, if need
be ,
1 Pet. 2:20?25. 1 Pet. 4:13?14, 16. The cross is our greatest
incentive
to continued faithfulness.
Read with me Luke’s account of the crucifixion: Lk. 23:33?46.
Our actions need to reflect true gratitude for the cross. By observing
our our daily way of life, can people really tell that we are
thankful for what happened at the cross? What about our petty
bickering and backbiting when people try to glorify themselves
and think more of them than they should? Failure to support the
Lord’s work the way we should? Failure to observe the Lord’s
Supper regularly? Our lack of personal evangelism to our neighbors?
Lack of prayer and Bible study?
(3) Look at John’s account of the crucifixion: Jno. 19:17?30.
God knew that we would need to be reminded of the cross because
men would forget that the Church belongs to the Lord and not to
men. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us many reminders
and warnings because men would forget and in their selfish, carnal,
ambitions would abuse, divide and destroy the church. Acts 20:28-31.
(1) He warns about people who mascarade as Christians but who
“are enemies of the cross of Christ.” Phip. 3:18. In
Rom. 16:17?18. Jude 3?4. Vs. 17-19.
(2) May our glory always be that of the apostle Paul in Gal. 2:20.
May our glory always be in the cross of Christ.
(3) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 04/20/03 pm
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