THE CROSS
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought
us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Introduction:
The Cross:
The cross has become a much-loved symbol across the world, representing the ultimate self-sacrifice and
moment that sin was paid for. It reminds believers of heaven and earth meeting, grace and righteous justice
kissing, and the event that all previous sacrifices had been pointing towards for centuries. However, for others,
the cross carries a lot of baggage, and negative connotations. (Show pic. of old Golgotha)
The principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming
benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians.
What does the Bible say about the cross?
The cross conquers sin and death.
The cross cancels the record of debt that stood against humanity (Col 2:14). On the cross Jesus bore our sins in his body,
so that we might die to sin and death (1 Pet. 2:24). The curse of sin and death was placed on Jesus so that we might
obtain the blessings of Abraham (Gal 3:13).
Intro 2:
When Jesus Christ was put to death by being nailed to a wooden cross, wicked men thought they were just executing a
man who was disturbing their way of life. They did not realize that the Cross was planned by God from the beginning of
the world.
A. GOD DEALS WITH ALL SIN
Through His Son’s death on the Cross, the great Creator God was dealing with every person’s sin, suffering and sorrow.
Jesus was dying ' in the place of every individual in the world. Receiving personally what He has done on the Cross brings
the answer to all our needs.
1. God Reveals His Power through The Cross
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of
God” (l Cor. 1:18). See also Romans 1:16.
2. God Shows His Love on The Cross
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8).
3. God Removed Our Sorrows On The Cross
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God; smitten by him, and
afflicted” (Isa. 53:4). ‘
4. Jesus Took the Punishment For Our Sins on The Cross
"But 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 are healed... We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:5, 6). See also 1 Peter 2:24.
B. NEW RELATIONSIHP WITH GOD THROUGH THE CROSS
Because God is so holy and righteous, sin separates us from Him. No one with sin in their hearts is able to be in His
presence.
So, not only by dying on the Cross did Jesus suffer for our sins in our place; but also He made it possible for us to know
God personally and to experience the love, peace and joy which fellowship with Him brings
1. We Become Acceptable to God through The Cross
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God "(2Cor 5:21).
2. We Receive Forgiveness through The Cross
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we
have redemption, the forgiveness of sins ” (Col 1213,14). See also 1 John 211, 2.
3. We Become Members of God's Family through The Cross
"Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the some family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call
them brothers He says. ‘I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence the congregation I will sing your
praise“(Heb. 2:11, 12). See also John 1:12.
4. Racial Barriers Are Broken Through The Cross
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself
is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his
flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two,
thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death
their hostility ” (Eph. 2:13-16).
C. FREEDOM THROUGH THE CROSS
Jesus’ death on the Cross was a great victory for us. Because God dealt with our sin on the Cross, it means also that all
the misery and suffering which is a result of sin was also dealt with. The Cross has won great freedom for us!
1. Freedom from Satan
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the
Cross” (Col 2:15). See also Colossians 1:13.
2. Freedom from Past Sins
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). See also Colossians 2: 13.
3. Freedom from Present Sins
“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14).
4. Freedom from Sickness
“This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
(Matt 8: 17).
S. Freedom from The Curse
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is
hung on a tree"' (Gal 3:13). See also Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
6. Freedom from The Judgment
“Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world But now he has appeared once for all at
the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to
face judgment" (Heb. 9:26,27).
7. Freedom from Everlasting Death
“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" (John 3:16).
D. LOVE AND JUSTICE MEET AT THE CROSS
The Cross is the place where the love of God and the righteous judgment of God meet. His righteous judgment
demanded the death penalty for sin — the shedding of blood. His love met His own demands and Jesus, the Son of God,
died in our place.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been
justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For when we were God’s
enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be
saved through his life! “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we
have now received reconciliation” (Rom 5:8-11).
E.THE CROSS IS THE CENTER OF HISTORY (Conclusion)
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the center point of mankind’s existence on earth. From the moment the first man and
woman sinned (see Genesis 3), it was pre-planned by God that Jesus would die on the Cross.
From that time on, people looked forward in faith to what God promised He would do on the Cross to save them. Today
we look back and, by believing what Jesus has done for us on the Cross, receive forgiveness and new life.
- Picture of Laminin Protein (The picture of the Cross)
- THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST Video
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought
us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 NIV
THE CROSS
Ministerial song: Worthy is the Lamb/ At the Cross
Pictures and Videos to show:
OLD GOLGOTHA:
B. Laminin Molecules
C. Video of the Passion of The Christ
Back up video in my lappy.
Video Link:
Forgive - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a6SvVPzc2A
