The Claims Of The Cross 011
Col. 1:19-22
A. The apostle Paul understood the claims the Cross made on him
and his life. In Gal. 6:14, he declares, God forbid that
I should boast, except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Pauls only Glory was in the Cross of Jesus. It was that
glorious cross that would captured Pauls heart, mind, soul
and affections and it would not let him go. This is Pauls
way of saying that the cross laid on him the most serious claims
of life.
John Ming once wrote, When I see the American flag, that
star spangled banner turns my life upside down. Each star illuminated
against that field of blue reminds me that my life long responsibility
is to give myself to keep this nation free. What the flag
was to John Ming, the Cross is to the apostle Paul. The
Cross of Jesus is my life, proclaims the apostle Paul.
1. Is that true of you and me? Is our glory in the cross such
that its claims are reflected in our lives? Do we really
know what the Cross means to us and the world in which we live?
(1) Ever wonder what kind of nation this would be if the Cross
had never been?
(1) What kind of community would this be if there was no claims
of the Cross on us?
(1) Someone answers, No one knows. I dont believe
that. I think that kind of answer is a cop-out to shirk our responsibilities
to the Cross of Christ.
(2) We can look at history and know EXACTLY what the world would
be like without the Cross of Christ.
(2) Look at the world when Christ came to earth in the First Century.
That time in history known as the Golden Age of the Roman Empire.
(1) Rome had reached the heights of its glory as a nation.
Augustus ruled 50 years. He made Rome the envy of the world.
(2) Much of what they did still influences our world today.
(3) The idea of a Republic. Architectural and Engineering accomplishments
we still use today. Appian Way (Rapid deployment). A time of many
marvelous ideas and physical Achievements.
(3) But, they could not boast of humanitarian accomplishments.
No orphan homes for fatherless children. 200 million slaves who
had no rights. No court was open to appeal for them. They were
Nothing but expendable human tools and hundreds were crucified
each day.
(1) Sons and daughters were often treated no better. Sold on slave
market or put to death if they happened to displease their parents.
Hospitals existed only for soldiers, Gladiators, the elite and
wealthy. People had no interest in their own sick and drove them
out to die alone.
(2) It was a time when men truly feared death. Before the Cross
the ancient world was a cruel dark place devoid of love and compassion.
(3) But, in a. d. 33, Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified outside
the city of Jerusalem and that crucifixion changed the world in
which we live. And that cross makes many claims on the world even
to this very day.
(2) The cross claims that humanity needs a Messiah to save our
souls. To raise us above living like animals. To give life true
meaning, real value and eternal hope.
(1) The world is unable to raise itself above the level of putrification
and free itself from the power of sin, the forces of evil that
bring death and eternal damnation.
(1) Left to ourselves we are given to the most hateful acts of
cruelty imaginable.
(2) Look around and see the Ted Bundys, Jeffery Daughmers, Charlie
Mansons, Bill Clintons, Sadam Hussins, Usama Ben Laudens. Our
history is shameful.
(2) But the Cross does not stop at telling man of his lost condition.
The Cross is positive and hopeful because it offers help, our
ONLY help.
(1) Jno. 12:32, Jesus said, If I be lifted up I will draw
all men unto men. Here is the hope of mankind.
(2) What is the purpose of Christ drawing men? To give them a
new heart, new hope, new purpose, a new vision and a new promise.
(3) As people are drawn to Jesus, hearts are changed, people grow
in love and kindness and communities improve and that spreads
to others.
(4) Actually live the words of God given by Paul in Eph. 4:17-32.
2. The Cross claims that Jesus is the Only Way by which man can
be reconciled to God.
(1) Paul proclaims in Col. 1:20, God has made peace through
the blood of the cross by Jesus to reconcile all things to Himself.
Vs. 22, says, By Christs Sacrifice on calvary we are
presented Holy, Blameless and beyond Reproach.
(1) Heb. 7:27, says, Jesus offered Himself, once and for
all, as the true sacrifice for sin. Thats it, there
is no other. Heb. 8:1-2, says, Jesus is our High Priest,
who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in
the heavens.
(1) Whats He doing there? Heb 9:12?15, tells us, With
His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having
obtained eternal redemption..... And for this reason He is the
Mediator of the new covenant, by means of His death..... We may
receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
(2) Acts 4:12, tells us emphatically, There is no salvation
in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among
men by which we must be saved." and Mark 16:16, proclaims
that, If you refuse to believe that you will be damned eternally.
(2) Jesus is Gods Exclusive Alternative. There is no other
acceptable way for you to be saved.
(1) The world hates that message. They reject it and ridicule
us for believing and preaching it. Trying to shame us into silence
so we wont preach it.
(2) But, you have no other choice. Believe it, Obey it and you
will be saved and if you dont you will spend eternity with
those unbelieving people.
(3) And thats why I close every lesson from this pulpit
with Acts 20:32.
Spur - 02/03/2002 am
|