The Cross- The Love Of God Demonstrated Series

Title: The Cross – The Love of God demonstrated

Text: Romans 5:6-8

Introduction

Last week we started a series of 3 messages on the Cross of Christ. Last week in the first message we saw how the Cross of Christ satisfies the wrath of God.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we were healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

This week we will see how the Cross of Christ demonstrates the Love of God.Of course the Cross of Christ is not the only demonstration of the Love of God. God demonstrates his love for each one of us in countless ways.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).

We tend to take everything that is good in our lives for granted but we need to remember that everything that’s good and perfect in our lives is a demonstration of God’s love for us.

But what if someone was to ask you the question… What is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for you?

According to the Apostle Paul that’s an easy question to answer…

The greatest demonstration of God’s love for you and I is found at the Cross of Christ.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

The Cross of Christ – the love of God demonstrated

Now the Bible also says that…

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

This means that there are always those who when told that the Cross of Christ is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for them -they don’t accept it.

They foolishly respond "If you really love me God then demonstrate it by giving me lots of money instead."I’d rather have lots of money than the cross of Christ

Or if they are a lot older they might say," If you really love me God then demonstrate it by giving me perfect health." I’d rather have perfect health than the Cross of Christ

And if they are a lot younger they might say "If you really love me God then demonstrate it by giving me a nice looking boyfriend or nice looking girlfriend." I’d rather have a nice looking boyfriend or a nice looking girlfriend than the Cross of Christ

Why do they say those things? Because the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

When a person doesn’t see the Cross of Christ as the greatest demonstration of God’s love for them then a terrible thing begins to happen

… They end up doubting God really loves them!

Just think about it…

If I believe that the greatest demonstration of God’s love for me is my good health. Then what happens when I get sick? I’m going to start doubting God’s love for me! I’m sick so I guess that means God must not love me anymore.

Or if I believe that the greatest demonstration of God’s love for me is in all my possessions. What happens when I lose those possessions? I’m going to start doubting God’s love for me. I lost my job. I lost my house…well I guess God must not love me any more

But when I come to see that the Cross of Christ is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for me …then a wonderful thing begins to happen

…I never again doubt God’s love for me.

I’m sure there are people here who seriously doubt God loves them. Why?

They are looking at their circumstances instead of looking at the Cross of Christ!

Even though everything else may be falling down around you; the Cross of Christ will always stand tall.

Question: Why is the Cross of Christ the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us?

To put it another way; "Why is the Cross of Christ a greater demonstration of God’s love than say…receiving millions of dollars from God?"

1.Millions of dollars can’t buy forgiveness for your sins but the Cross of Christ can

You give an ungodly person a million dollars you end up with an ungodly millionaire.

2.Millions of dollars can’t purchase a place in heaven for you but the Cross of Christ can

Millions of dollars can’t build a bridge to heaven but The Cross of Christ is the bridge to heaven

3. Millions of dollars can’t take away the wrath of God but the Cross of Christ can.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we were healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Question: Isn’t the Cross of Christ a demonstration of God’s love for good people only?