The Cross (Christmas) Series

The Cross

Mark 15:21-39

INTRODUCTION

Why did my Savior come to earth, and to the humble go? Why did he choose a lowly birth? Because he loved me so! Why did He drink the bitter cup of sorrow, pain and woe? Why on the cross be lifted up? Because he loved me so! He loved me so, He loved me so; He gave his precious life for me, for me, because he loved me so.

“Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?” by J.G. Dailey

ILLUSTRATION: The parents of a ten-year-old public school boy who was failing fifth grade math decided to enroll their son in a private Catholic school after exhausting all methods. The youngster stormed home the first day of school, walked right past them, charged straight to his room, and locked the door. Two hours later, he emerged for a quick meal, announced that he was studying, and went straight back to his studies until bedtime. This pattern continued until the end of the first quarter. After school, the boy walked home with his report card, dropped the envelope on the family dinner table, and went straight to his room. His parents cautiously opened the letter, saw a bright red "A" under the subject, MATH, and rushed excitedly into their son’s room! "Was it the nuns?" the father asked. The boy only shook his head and said, "No." "Was it the one-on-one tutoring? Peer-mentoring?" asked the mother. Again, the boy shrugged, "No." "The textbooks? The teacher? The curriculum?" asked the father. "No, no, no." the son finally spoke. "From the very first day of school, I knew that these folks were serious about math. When I walked into the lobby, and I saw a guy nailed to the PLUS sign, I knew they meant business!"

The cross of Christ is “the” sign to the world that God meant business! And His business was that of forgiveness. Salvation. Mercy. Grace. Heaven.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

How important is the cross to Christians? It is very important, because of what it represents and whom it represents! The cross has a very special meaning to us who are in Christ. To us, the cross is not a shameful nor offensive symbol. IT IS SYMBOL OF GRACE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS OF SIN, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE!

ILLUSTRATION: Max Lucado wrote "[The cross] rests on the time line of history like a compelling diamond...History has idolized and despised it, gold plated and burned it, worn it and trashed it. History has done everything but ignore it...Never has timber been regarded so sacred.”

MAIN BODY

I. The Priority of the Cross.

A. God set priorities concerning your salvation.

1. Isaiah 53:10

2. 2 Cor. 5:21

B. For us to realize these blessings we must set our priorities on the cross.

II. The Pain of the Cross.

A. We all will suffer pain in this life.

1. 1 Peter 4:12

2. ILLUSTRATION: Some years ago, a revival took place in a church. One of the men of the church began to complain about his heavy schedule. Being both a deacon and a Sunday School teacher he had been assigned the job of filling a pew on two consecutive nights. The preacher seemed touched and said, “When I consider such a tremendous sacrifice as this Calvary pales into insignificance.” We will suffer in this life. However, none of us will suffer anything near what Christ suffered on the cross!

B. Jesus suffered pain so that we could have life eternal.

III. The Power of the Cross

A. Salvation is based solely on the power of the Cross.

1. Romans 1:16

2. 1 Corinthians 1:17—18

B. ILLUSTRATION: On the outskirts of London there stands a white cross. One day in the heart of the city a policeman heard a little boy crying. He found the little boy and asked him, “What’s the matter? Can I help you?” The little boy replied, “I am lost.” The officer said, “Well, don’t cry. We can fix that. Where do you live?” The little boy said, “If you will take me to the hill where the white cross stands, I can find my way home.” It’s as simple as that. THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME

Mitchell Skelton, Minister-Midway church of Christ

http://www.TheLordsWay.com/Midway