God's Sword, The Cross Of Jesus Christ

2011.07.31.Sermon.Cross and Sword

The Message of the Cross

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In 2000, we drove across the country from Maryland to California and back. On our return, we blew past this Great Big Cross along the highway in Texas. By the time we saw the exit, we had passed it and continued our journey home. The image of that great big cross stuck in my mind, I thought, if we ever go back that way again, I want to stop in.

Well, this year June/July 2011, we did a similar trip in reverse. Miles before we were at the exit, we saw this Great Cross in the horizon that was along the highway of Route 40 in Groom Texas. And when we stopped, we were amazed. We met Steve Thomas, the engineer, builder and owner of this monument of faith, and we heard his incredible story of the ministry and power of the cross.

Many see the cross and they are made to wonder of this enormous monument.

One statement made by my 9 year old son as we came upon this monument has stuck in my heart and mind, it was a revelation of truth to me and this what I learned from the mouth of a child.

His statement was simply this... “Dad, that huge cross looks like a huge sword that God took from heaven and drove into the earth”

The Cross is God’s Sword of Judgment, Salvation and Victory.

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PREACHING OF THE CROSS

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

JESUS ENDURED THE CROSS TO SET US FREE

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

COMMITTED TO THE CROSS

Matthew 27:40-42 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

He would not come down from the cross to save himself, he stayed upon the cross to save the lost.

COMMITTED TO THE CROSS

Mark 15:28-32 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

SAVED IN THE CROSS

Galatians 6:14 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.

DEATH OF THE CROSS

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

BLOOD OF HIS CROSS

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

NAILED TO THE CROSS

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

ENDURING THE CROSS DESPITE THE SHAME

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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My 9 year old son, Jared, made an astounding and thought provoking statement at the sight of this massive cross.

“It looks like a Huge Sword that God took from Heaven and struck in the ground.”

The cross looks just like that…God’s sword, judgment, struck into the dirt of this world. The sword of the cross, to divide good from evil and to strike against sin once for all.

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SWORD BRINGS PUNISHMENT AND JUDGMENT

Job 19:29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.