I. THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE DEPTH OF HUMAN SIN

Transcription

1 Jesus and His Cross Galatians 6:14 Phil Taylor March 22, 2009 God s biggest man this side of the Lord Jesus Christ was the apostle Paul. He was the finest Christian the world has ever seen, the greatest gospel preacher man has ever heard. He was the most marvelous trophy of the grace of God in the history of Christianity. Paul wrote, But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). Paul could have glorified in other accomplishments. He could have glorified in his ancestry, for he descended from a long life of wonderful people. He could have glorified in his mighty intellect, for he was easily one of the most brilliant men of his day. He could have gloried in the works he did, for he went up and down the land winning people and building churches for the glory of God. He could have gloried in what he wrote, for he left literature which has blessed people down through the ages. But Paul turned away from all these accomplishments and declared that all of his glory, all of his boast, was in the cross of Christ. Paul did not say he gloried in the virgin birth of Christ, although he believed in it. He did not glory in the miracles of Christ, although he affirmed them. He did not glory in the matchless life Jesus lived or in the great sermons He preached. Instead, he turned to the central event for which Jesus came into the world and cried out, I boast only in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we think of Paul s mighty declaration, we sing: In the cross of Christ I glory Towering o er the wrecks of time. All the light of scared story Gathers round its head sublime. Why do we glory in, preach, and make so much of the cross? It was certainly not a glorious object when Jesus died on it. Death upon the cross meant the most shameful death that a man could die. It meant the greatest humiliation that could be imposed upon a human being. Yet, when Jesus died upon that cross, He made it forever glorious. The day He was crucified has become the greatest day in history. That cross has become the highest symbol that men have ever looked upon. The influence of that cross has become the mightiest power in the entire world. The little light which was kindled that day upon Calvary has indeed become the Light of the World. Let us knell at the foot of the cross and find its meaning for out hearts. I. THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE DEPTH OF HUMAN SIN

2 We think we know something about sin. We read about it in the newspapers; we see it in the lives of those around us. Several years ago a man was fired from his job. He went home in anger, secured his pistol, went back to the store, killed his employer and another clerk, wounded another man, and, then, killed himself. An event of this kind illustrates the awful depths of human sin. Many years ago the Turks committed terrible atrocities against the Armenians. They stripped the Armenians of their clothes and crucified them naked upon rows of crosses. Some of them were forced to dig long trenches. Afterwards they were thrown into these trenches and covered with the earth to smother. How awful are the depths of human sin! You look upon the face of a young woman in a casket. She had fallen into sin. In deep remorse, she had taken her own life. You are forced to say, This is what sin will do. You go down to a drunkard s home. A brokenhearted wife and little children deprived of the necessities of life are hurting because their father spends all of his earning upon drink. You say, This is what sin will do. But, you know nothing of the awful depth of human sin until you go to the cross. We look upon the one who is dying and we say, Who is this that is dying, and why is he dying? The answer comes back from heaven, This is My only begotten Son, dying not for His own sin, but for the sin of others. When you and I come to realize that our sin plucked God s Son out of the Father s bosom and brought him down into this world to die upon a cruel Roman cross, we come to realize something of the awful depth of human sin. Sin is no little evil! It is the second biggest force in the world. The love of God is the only force stronger. A certain wealthy man in Chicago had a little girl who was desperately ill. He called in many doctors and spent great sums of money for treatments, but the little girl s health did not improve. Finally, he wrote out a check for $20,000 and sent it to the famous Dr. Lorenz of Austria in order to bring the great doctor to Chicago. His treatments were successful and the little girl became well and strong again. When you realize the tremendous price this father was willing to pay to see his little girl restored to health, you realize that there was something fearfully wrong with her. You also realize how much he loved her. When you realize the great price God was willing to pay for our salvation, we realize that something is wrong with the human race. We come to realize that sin is not a little evil. It cost God His very best.

3 II. THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE HEIGHT OF GOD S LOVE At the cross we see the height of divine love. We realize not only how deep a man can go into sin, but how high God can go in His love. Jesus said, God so loved that He gave He did not give the silver, gold, and diamonds of the earth although they are His. He did not give the cattle upon a thousand hills, but He gave His only begotten Son for our redemption. In the horse and buggy days, a young man was engaged to marry a beautiful young woman. One day as he stood on the curb of the street, he saw a runaway horse charging down the road. As he looked closer he saw his sweetheart was sitting helplessly in the carriage to which the horse was hitched. Without any thought for himself, this man rushed out into the street and grasped the reins. He was finally able to stop the horse and save the one he loved. But in so doing he himself was trampled underfoot. The pale, trembling girl got down out of the carriage and rushed around to the place where he lay. As she put her arms under his head and lifted him up, he said to her with his last gasp, I loved you, Mary, didn t I? In like manner you and I were behind the black runaway horse of sin. We were going down toward death and hell, Jesus, without thinking of Himself, rushed out to Calvary and gave His life away for us. He can say to you and me, I loved you, didn t I? When a friend tells me that he loves me, I believe it, but when he is willing to suffer in my stead, I know it. We believe that Jesus loves us when we see Him leaving heaven s glory, walking His lonely way through this world, and praying in Gethsemane. But when He goes to Calvary and dies for us, we know of a truth that he loves us with all of His heart. As we stand at the foot of the cross, we look up into His face and say, Dear Lord, does thou love me? He does not have to say a word. He just shows us the bleeding wounds that he bears and we know that He loves us more than anyone else could ever love us. III. THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE BASIS OF OUR MESSAGE Some disagreement may exist among those of us who preach, but we must never disagree on whether or not the cross should be at the center of our ministry. I am told that at one time every rope of the British Navy had a scarlet thread running through the center of it. This thread strengthened and identified the rope. In like manner, our sermons should have as their center the red thread of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Paul said, We preach Christ crucified. That is the message which this old world needs today. While we preach on lighter themes, men are going down to hell and destruction.

4 The only message of a God-pleasing minister of the gospel should be the message of the cross of Christ. Have you ever had some great sorrow, some great tragedy to come into your life? Then, look up into the face of Christ and say to Him, Oh, thou who has suffered more than any man has ever suffered, help me in my trouble. He will put His loving arms around you and give you comfort, grace, and peace. How wonderful are His precious promises: Matthew 28:20 Hebrews 13:5 Psalms 23:1-3 Romans 8:28 1 Peter 5:7 Jesus is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem. Are you lonely? Let Jesus become your friend. Are you sad? Let Jesus Cheer you up. Are you at odds with someone? Let the warm love and forgiveness of Christ inspire you to love and forgive. Are you destitute, in need of food, clothes, etc..? Let Jesus and His church take care of you until you are back on your feet! Do you have a life to live? Let Jesus make it more abundant. Do you have children to rear? Let Jesus instruct you. Do you have lost loved ones? Let Jesus save them as you bring them to Him. Yes, at the foot of the cross every need of mankind is met. V. THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE WAY OF SALVATION Peter said, And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). No other way of salvation has been given. The way of the cross is the only way. I must needs go home by the way of the cross, There s no other way but this; I shall ne er get sight of the gates of light, If the way of the cross I miss.

5 We are not saved by good works, enormous gifts, the Ten Commandments, living up to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, or by men. We are saved by the blood of Jesus being applied to our souls. This is done when: 1. I come to believe in Jesus (John 8:24) 2. Repent of my sins (Luke 13:3) 3. Confess Jesus (Matthew 10:32, 33) Jesus died in our stead in order that we might live. CONCLUSION The great question now is this: What will you do with Jesus who died upon the cross for you? What are you doing about His cross? Salvation is there if you will only take advantage of it. It is not enough that God loves you, Christ died for you, and the Holy Spirit convicts you. You must come to Him! Christ meets every need we have in this life and gives us hope for the life to come.