THE LANGUAGE OF THE CROSS AS IT PERTAINS TO GIVING
TEXT: Galatians 6:14 W. Max Alderman
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.
INTRODUCTION: When I think of the cross as it pertains to giving, there are several words that come to mind. Just as these words come to mind as I think of Christ when He was on the cross, they also come to mind when I think of our giving.
The cross speaks forth some very strong words as it pertains to giving. Tonight, let us listen to what the cross has to say.
I. THE WORD LOVE IS SPOKEN FROM THE CROSS. (JOHN 3:16)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A. First, There is Love Expressed. (For God so loved)
B. Then, There is Love’s Example. (that He gave)
C. There is also Love’s Expense. (His only begotten son)
Note: Just as love is a word that is spoken from the cross as it pertains to Christ when He offered up Himself, so should love motivate our giving as well.
II. THE WORD SACRIFICE IS SPOKEN FROM THE CROSS. (Colossians 1:19-22)
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
A. There Was the Sacrifice of His Blood. (Vv. 19, 20)
B. Then There Is the Sacrifice of His Body. (Vv. 21, 22)
Note: Just as there was sacrifice in Christ’s giving, so should there be sacrifice in our giving. Christ Jesus gave His all… The poor widow woman gave her all. (Mark 12:41-44).
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
The church at Macedonia gave out of their poverty according to (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
The little lad gave a little lunch to our great Lord. (John 6:9)
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
III. THE WORD JOY IS SPOKEN FROM THE CROSS. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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.
A. There Was the Joy of Anticipation. (for the joy that was set before him)
B. There Was the Joy of Exaltation. (and is set down at the fight hand of the throne of God.)
Note: Just as the Lord had joy resulting from His sacrificial death upon the cross, so should we in every aspect of our giving. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
CONCLUSION: The cross should motivate us in all of our service to the Lord and for the Lord.
