WHAT THE CROSS IS ALL ABOUT
December 22, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
Heb 12:2
INTRO: I would hazard to say that the best known religious symbol in the world is the cross. I can hardly imagine a place on our globe where the cross is not known ... even if only to a very limited degree. While I do not believe that religious symbols are authorized by the New Testament, I cannot help but see crosses of every shape, size and form as I travel in our world. Do you suppose that people have any idea of what the cross is all about? The ceremony, the formality, the display of crosses, I fear, is vanity ... superstition. What is the cross all about?
I. IT IS ALL ABOUT SIN
A. The cross was the instrument of atoning sacrifice
1. Note Heb 10:7-10 the offering of the body ...
2. 2 Cor 5:21 ... to be sin for us ...
3. Rom 5:11 ... the atonement ...
4. it was a tool by which sacrifice for sin was offered ... but not for His sin - 1 Pet 2:24
B. So, sin sent Jesus to the cross
1. sin must be bad to have required this sacrifice
2. Eph 2:1dead in ... sins - the here and now
3. Rom 6:23a wages of sin is death - the eternity
4. can we appreciate the cross without understanding the horror of sin? do we understand it?
II. IT IS ALL ABOUT LOVE
A. Why else would God permit such a thing?
1. Eph 2:4 ... for His great love ...
2. Jno 3:16 God so loved ... that He gave ...
3. such a decision of love defies explanation
4. I just dont know how a father could offer His Son for others
B. An instrument of torture is a reminder, then, of love
1. the cross is, therefore, a paradox!
2. yes, it was a cruel death for Jesus ... no argument
3. but that death grew out of great love - Rom 5:8
4. what more must God do to prove His love for us? what more loving thing to motivate us to respond?
III. IT IS ALL ABOUT GRACE
A. Here is another thing difficult to comprehend
1. start with Rom 3:23.... the human condition!
2. in a system of justice sin requires punishment
3. therefore, mankind should be destined for hell
4. enter Gods grace! Rom 3:24-26
B. At the cross the penalty for sin was paid
1. Heb 9:24-28a to bear the sins of many
2. the penalty had to be paid ... Gods justness and holiness could demand no less
3. and each of us should pay his own ... except for Gods interceding grace ... having His own Son pay for us
4. I understand the concept ... but I cannot fathom the mind of God as He provided! Grace!
IV. IT IS ALL ABOUT RECONCILIATION
A. Sin broke the relationship between you and God
1. Isa 59:1,2 puts it plainly
2. but God desires a reconciliation!
3. why? I cannot answer - mans history with God has been one of dismal failure ... God keeps His covenants; man does not
4. but the cross is proof of Gods desire
B. So, Col 1:21,22 ...now hat He reconciled ...
1. Eph 2:16 ... by the cross ...
2. reconciliation is a beautiful thing!
3. and reconciliation with/to God is now possible
4. notice, too, Col 1:23 and the if
CLOSE: The cross is all about you and me ... and a choice we can make. The cross, with its blessings, is for you. But a response from you is necessary to receive its blessings. The proper response? Faith! Penitence! Baptism into Christ!
Cecil A. Hutson
22 December 2002