Weekly Sermon

What Do YOU See When You See the Cross? GALATIANS 6:14 APRIL 2, 2006

INTRODUCTION The cross has become a thing of beauty. People buy them to wear around the neck or in ear-rings, made of sterling silver, gold, even crusted with diamonds and rubies. Jewelers can make them beautiful. Crosses even form parts of popular tattoos, either as the centerpiece or a minor addition. When used as a personal accessory, in Western society for the most part, the cross is a perfectly acceptable symbol.

But there was nothing beautiful, about the cross on which Jesus of Nazareth died. It was the first century version of an electric chair or gas chamber. No death was more dreaded by criminals. None so painful or humiliating. So inhumane, Roman law did not permit a citizen of the empire to die by crucifixion. But it is this symbol of suffering and shame that has become the most significant symbol in our human history, as the influence of the cross has become the mightiest power in all the world.

THE CROSS IN HISTORY

The cross was an obstacle to Faith. Jesus dying by crucifixion was a great obstacle to the conversion of both the Jews and Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:22-25- God’s way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.)

1. Jews looked for Messiah to exert his power among men but could not be subjected to humiliation.

2. The Greeks thought it absurd for the Christians to preach Jesus as Savior; one who died so reprehensible a death could not be worthy of worship.

WHAT DOES THE CROSS SAY TO US?

But what do you see when you survey the wondrous cross? We know that for the apostle Paul, it was the center of his life and ministry with Christ- Galatians 6:14- As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead. So what should we see when we see the cross today?

1- When we see the cross, we should see our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21- For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.; 1 Peter 2:24- He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!)

When I look at the cross I see the enormity and depravity of my sin. When we look at the newspapers and TV we are sometimes overwhelmed by the evil that human beings can do to each other. But we know nothing of the ugliness of sin until we kneel at the cross. Making choices contrary to God’s will is no little evil ... sin is the second greatest force in the world. But we don’t want to think about our sin. We want to evade it cover it up justify ourselves. But to know the freedom God offers, we have to confront the reality of where we are without Him. Rather than trying to trust in our own goodness, we must humble ourselves & accept the righteousness of Christ.

2- When we see the cross, we should see the depth of God’s love (John 3:16-17- God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. ) (2 Corinthians 5:14-15- Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them., 18-21- All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.)

If sin were all I could see when I surveyed the cross, there would be no reason for me to live; but when I survey the cross and I see the word sin written in blood, I also see the hand of God reaching down from heaven erasing the sin and writing love.

The love of God is the only force that is stronger than our sin. It is in the cross that one sees the forces of evil and the love of God clash.

Before Jesus, God had not walked upon earth with man since the days of Eden. Reconciliation was essential. Jesus died both physically and spiritually on that cross. Forsaken by God and man. (Matt 27:46- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Hebrews 2:9- by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world.

Our sin was credited to his account, and our condemnation became his; now his righteousness can be credited to our account. The most horrible death imaginable to the Son of God became the price for our redemption.

WRAP UP- WHAT DO YOU SEE? The beauty of the cross has nothing to do with silver, or gold, or precious jewels. It has everything to do with love (Romans 5:8- God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.) The beauty of the cross in not in wearing it around our necks, using it as a bookmark, or chiseling it on our tombstones. Its beauty lies in the fact that the death of Jesus Christ on a Roman cross nearly twenty centuries ago has opened the path to eternal life for all who believe in him.

So again…What do YOU see when you survey the cross?
A- If you are a faithful child of God you should see a reminder of our debt to god Paid in full.
B- If you are unsaved- Will you put your hope for salvation there?

C- If you are uncommitted (Luke 9:23-24- “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.)

The cross in our lives, changes everything. An encounter with Jesus should change us. Paul put it this way in Galatians 2:19-20- when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. ²⁰ I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.