Illustration:
• Growing up I saw different perspectives of the cross of Christ.
• For certain denominations it was a kind of fascination and looked up to be an idol.
• Many wore miniatures of it as earring, finger rings, around their neck and even some around their waists. Used in fashion and designer clothing today.
• One could see it on church steeples, inside homes and on bumper stickers on and inside cars as hangings in order to profess Christ.
• The bad guys in eastern movies had it around their necks and this saddened me a lot.
• For the Jews, Greeks, Romans & Gentiles it was a sign of weakness. Even today …….
• Constantine used it for the first time on his Kingdom’s flag.
• Many European countries did the same and slowly it became the emblem of the Crusades against non-Christians.
• There is a gentleman on television who carries it around the world to proclaim Christ.
• Many in the world today have seen it but do not even know what it represents.
• Today we will see what the CROSS of Christ really means and what it represents and how do we respond to it OR How are we supposed to respond to it?
Read 1 Corinthians 1: 17 – 25
Introduction: The death of Christ was already prophesied in the OT a number of times but the passages from Psalm 22 & Isaiah 53 are one of the most vivid and graphic evidences of what was to come. As an instrument of death the cross was detested by the Jews. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the high priest & even Christ’s disciples did not reflect on the scriptures to affirm this prophecy. What a shame!
The cross was an emblem of a slave’s death and a murderer’s punishment, the cross was naturally looked upon with the profoundest horror. But after the celebrated vision of Constantine, he ordered his friends to make a cross of gold and gems, such as he had seen, and "the towering eagles resigned the flags unto the cross," and "the tree of cursing and shame" "sat upon the scepters and was engraved and signed on the foreheads of kings." His mother Helena went to Israel to research on Christ’s Cross …....
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), Galatians 3: 13.
1. Purpose of the Cross (vs. 17 – 19)
(a) Hang your BURDENS on the Cross: [Matthew 11:28]
David has expressed the cry of the burdened heart. Consider his burden:
He feels that he is about to be inundated and overwhelmed.
He is depressed and weary from his weeping.
He faces injustice and enemies who are too many and too powerful for him.
For years Everett was burdened with the memory of a college prank that had cost the life of one of his college chums. He was oppressed with nightmares and depression. He could not shake the memory. His work suffered, his relationship with his wife deteriorated, his health declined. He denied himself the joy of living. He was burdened!
Did you ever feel like that? Have you ever felt that the weight of the whole world rested on your shoulders? That the burdens of life would mercilessly grind you into the dust? Jesus Himself would endure such burdens. Maybe you labor under the heaviness of
Fear and anxiety. The violence of our society, the corruption in our systems, failing health, the hype about computer crashes in the year 2,000 have you in a dither.
Emptiness and futility. You can make a living but have not made a life; you have a house but your home is in disarray, you have a bank account but are bankrupt in terms of peace and joy.
Doubt and uncertainty. Does God really love you? Can He really make a difference in your life? Can He accept you as you are and transform you?
Pain and anguish. It hurts just to roll out of bed; each step you take is a marathon, climbing a porch is like scaling Mt. Everest.
Burdened heart, there is release and help:
"Do not be anxious then, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ Or ’What shall we drink?’ Or ’With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.
"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6, 7.
Hang your burdens on the cross! But there may be something else that need to be crucified in your life.
(b) Hang your SHAME on the Cross: [Psalms 25:20]
David knew of his own folly and knew that God was also aware of it. He could recall many foolish things he had done of which he was ashamed. And he had much of which to be ashamed.
As a father, David was no model and turned his own sons away from him, probably through neglect. It is possible this Psalm comes from the time of Absalom’s rebellion!
As a King he had abused his power and authority for sexual pleasure and to cover up his sin.
Just so, Everett, who had participated in the deadly college prank, was not only burdened with the liability of it, but was deeply ashamed of his senseless stupidity! How could he have been so moronic, mad and idiotic?
And, we may well ask, how could we? How could we
Have said such harsh and cutting things to and about others?
Have neglected expressing our love to others while the chance existed instead of lamenting that it is now too late?
Have ruined our reputation and forfeited our integrity for a moment’s pleasure?
Have violated our honor and for years have lived a lie?
We may have much of which to be ashamed, but there is hope!
God will answer the prayer of one who says with David, "Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee." Psalms 25:20.
Come, hang your burdens and your shame on the cross! But there may be something else that needs to be hung there!
© Hang your SIN on the Cross: [1 Timothy 1:15]
David knew that God not only knew his foolishness but knew his sin as well. His reckless living was not only indiscreet it was also ungodly.
Similarly, Everett was ashamed of his foolhardy act which had killed his college friend. He knew that his action was not only plain stupid, it was sinful. He had treated a human life with disrespect and disregarded all the rules of sound judgment. He confessed his sin over and over to God but found no relief from his guilt.
Let’s get honest here; let’s call a spade a spade! I want to remove all harshness and rancor from my voice here. I have no axe to grind. But imagine going to your doctor who discovers you have a deadly, but curable disease, and so as not to offend or upset you tells you that you have eczema and that it will go away. Yes, it will -- when you die. Truth spoken in love is crucial.
Sin is not an accident or a mistake; it is violation of God’s Law.
An affair is not romance, it is plain adultery! Sex outside marriage is fornication! Illicit desire for one not your spouse is lust.
Cheating is not cleverness, it is dishonesty and theft.
Our moral failures are not just human weaknesses they are missing the mark, they are transgressions, they are iniquitous, they are sin!
And God will judge sin! But that’s not the end of the story!
David said, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." Psalms 103:10.
Paul said, "it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all." 1 Timothy 1:15.
And John Peterson wrote these words; sing them will you? "Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine, justified fully through Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine! And the transaction so quickly was made when as a sinner I came, took of the offer of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear Name. Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross the Savior made me whole; my sins were washed away and my night was turned to day, heaven came down and glory filled my soul!"
One day the mother of Everett’s dead friend was in town and stopped to see him. It had been years and she wanted to find out how things were in his life. He couldn’t look her in the face, and when she found out he was carrying his load of remorse, she was astounded. She assured him that she had forgiven him long ago and had no ill feelings to him. She reminded him that God was also willing to erase this terrible ordeal from his life and from his record. His heart broke before her and he wept out his grief -- but a new hope replaced it. That can happen to you, too. Come, hang your burdens and your shame and your sin on the cross! Jesus will meet you there. The cross reaches up to the infinite love of the Heavenly Father; it reaches down to the depths of our burdens, shame and sin. It reaches out to the widest needs of our lives -- and we can come, assured that we will be welcomed by the One Who was willing to forgive us long ago and has no ill feelings toward us. Come and hang there all that troubles you and keeps you from enjoying the Life Jesus came to give. You can freely come because there’s room at the cross for you!
2. Manifestations from the Cross (vs. 20 – 21)
(a) God’s sacrificial LOVE: [1 John 4: 10]
Look again at the text: Verses 4-7, 10. All that because He loved us sacrificially!
God hates sin, but He sacrificially loves sinners. The Bible is crystal clear on that point:
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10
Name one person who would love you that much! Perhaps your parents, or your spouse, maybe siblings or a really, really good friend. But can you name one with whom you have been an enemy? Can you name one you have treated with shame and contempt? I think not!
But God loves you like that! And that’s love! That’s love! I have a picture at home. On it the words, "I asked Jesus, ’How much do you love me?’ And He said, ’This much!’ and He stretched out His arms and died!" That’s love that searches until it finds, and gives until it dies.
(b) God’s divine GRACE: [Ephesians 2: 8 - 9]
Let me remind you that grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we certainly deserve. It is withholding from us the punishment we have earned by sin.
God poured the wrath we deserve on Jesus and poured the forgiveness we don’t deserve on us! That’s grace and mercy! Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!"
Think about someone who wronged you, lied about you, hated you, stole from you, physically harmed you and in general made life miserable. They deserve punishment! Then think of having the opportunity to get even; to revenge yourself. And think about your child. And think about having your child die on behalf of that enemy. For me that is unthinkable. But I am not as merciful as God is. Praise Him that He gave His child on behalf of His enemies.
Remember Paul’s words? "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life." Romans 5:9-10.
Grace is Divine Charity; it is undeserved love; it is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense; it is favor extended to the unworthy; Grace is the very character and heart of God; it is God’s "Yes! I love you!" even while we couldn’t care less.
But we only experience that grace as we put faith in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote of the correlation of grace and faith saying, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.
Grace offers the lifeline; faith grasps it.
The grace of God speaks to us saying, "Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It was for you I sent My Son. I love you. But, like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll receive it by faith."
© God’s SAVING power - How far God would go to SAVE us? [Isaiah 53: 10]
“The Lord was pleased to crush Him, and He rendered Himself a guilt offering!”
How far was He willing to go? Far enough to crush His son and put Him to grief; Far enough to see His Son offer Himself as a guilt offering! Far enough to see His Son -
The guiltless die for the guilty!
The Prince of heaven sacrificed for the lowest of earth!
The holy Lord of eternity crushed for the unholy rebels of the world!
The Sinless become sin that the sinful might become the righteousness of God in Him!
The Shepherd lay down His life for the errant sheep!
How far would He go? What would He endure? The cross! Jesus endured all that for six long hours before He considered that His suffering was adequate and He cried out, "It is finished!" "Into Your hands I commit My spirit!" All that to show how far He’d go. He went as far as He had to go in order to do what He chose to do: make a way of salvation and forgiveness for all who turn from sin and to His Son.
Illustration: Twelve year old Sara was the eldest child in her family. She was compelled, by duty and necessity, to take on the care of her ailing mother, her hard working father, and her four younger brothers and sisters. She spent the next several years caring for the household. Her mother died at length, but she kept on giving care to her grieving father and motherless siblings. How she gave her all for their good. How she loved them and how she showed it. In that she was like the Lord Jesus. He loved us beyond our ability to understand, and showed it! Sara deeply loved her family and set for them the example of unselfish devotion. She toiled from early morning before any of the children woke until late at night long after the last one was safe asleep. She was there for them when they hurt and when they had some happy moment to share. Sara’s every waking thought was for the good of her family. She missed out on being just a girl herself, no young men courting her, taking her to the bright social events other girls of her age were enjoying. She had no thought for self, only for her charges. She was absorbed in seeking their good and welfare. How like our Lord Jesus Christ Who, even in the hour of death, had no selfish concern for his own grief. Sara thought first of her charges. She did what was required to help them make a life, and more. In time her father also died. But as the younger children grew, their needs continued and even became greater. She was able, by great sacrifice to help three of them through college, and counted it a privilege to do so. Sara gave and gave to her brothers and sisters until her own health broke and she was an invalid herself in great need of care. No longer could she rise early and stay up late caring for her charges. No more could she mend the clothing, cook the food, do the laundry and keep the house clean. She was weak and infirm but had not shrunk back from what had to be done for the good of her family. Nor did Jesus shirk or shrink or fall short of what he needed to do. Sara spent her life on her family. But those to whom she had given so tenderly and sacrificially, carelessly flung her aside and left her to her own resources. She was forced into a squalid nursing home where she spent lonely days and ultimately had to die alone. What ingratitude to one who had spent and been spent on their good. Things weren’t much different on Calvary the day Jesus died. There were not many faithful at the cross. Most fled for their own safety or turned aside in disillusionment. Some who had been blessed by Him now threw curses at Him. It is still the minority who take a stand by Jesus; it is still the faithful few who align themselves with Him. Where do you stand this morning? Where will you stand? Will you be among those who turn from Him and walk away or will you be one of those who stay by Him, who surrender to Him, and who walk with Him in faith? The choice is yours, and we have no choice but to make a choice. Either we will decide against Him, or for Him. "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18: 11
3. Responses to the CROSS (vs. 22 – 25)
(a) The Centurion - Response of accreditation (true testimony) - So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27: 54. Even the demons believed Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God the Father.
(b) The thief on the left - Response of intimidation, allegation, mockery and selfishness - Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." Luke 23: 39
© The thief on the right - Response of forgiveness and remorse - But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
"And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23: 40 - 43
Conclusion: The cross of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest enigmas of all time. The how of it is pretty clear: Jesus was nailed to a Roman Cross on a hill called Calvary. The what and why of it are less obvious until you dig into the Bible. Why the cross? And what good did it do for Jesus to die? It demonstrates that God doesn’t take sin lightly and demands death as payment for it. It manifests the length to which God would go to save us in that God was willing to give His Son to die on behalf of, and as a substitute for, each of us. It brings the forgiveness of sin to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord. The cross is the meeting point of absolute, unbending Divine Justice and absolute, unending Divine mercy and grace. Jesus’ death satisfied both God’s justice in condemning sin, and His mercy and grace in forgiving it. The cross was truly an astounding event.
Illustration: Let me tell you a story I heard a number of years ago to look at the cross as perhaps God viewed it. A guest speaker told a church congregation about a father, son and the son’s friend who went fishing off the Pacific coast. They were laughing and joking and having a good time when the storm clouds that had been gathering cut loose. The wind began to blow, the rain fell, and the waves began to swell. The small boat was tossed like a cork, and all three were thrown into the ocean. The father grabbed onto a rope and then he had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would throw the other end of the life line! He only had seconds to make the decision. The story of the father and the son has a poignant ending. The man telling the story said, to those who could not believe what he told them, "I know that the story is true! You see - I was that father and your pastor is my son’s friend." What a great, unfathomable love God has for us that He should do for us as that father did for his son’s friend. Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. You don’t have to understand how He saves us through Christ’s blood, God understands it so just put faith in Jesus and He will save you. Even now He is ready and able to rescue you. We are either sinking deep in sin or are lifted by His love. It all depends upon what we do with Jesus. He calls to you to take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service. What is your response to this grace? Have you taken, or will you take, the lifeline of grace and mercy He extends? Will you step out today to identify yourself as a follower of Jesus? If you haven’t got a church home in Iowa, I invite you to make this your center of worship and service. God didn’t throw you the lifeline so you can sit in the boat. He wants you throwing that line to others who are still sinking in sin. Today is the day of decision; tomorrow may be too late. You have a choice right now; tomorrow the choice may be gone. As we sing our invitation song, grab the lifeline by making Jesus Christ total and unconditional Lord of all your life.
Our Response: In light of the choice God made to give His Son, and in light of the choice Jesus made to die for us, we need to make some choices today.
1. What will you do with Jesus / Cross? You only have two options: reject or accept Him. There is no neutrality here.
2. What will you do with sin? You have only two options: rebel and continue in it or repent and forsake it.
3. What will you do with the rest of your life? You have only two options: live it your own way, or live it for Jesus who gave it in the first place.
The answers to these basic questions will determine as to what you will do with the CROSS?
