The Cross Centered Religion 1

Introduction 2

“Christ not only died, but he died at the hands of others; he was crucified. His crucifixion is the very heart of the gospel of the Great Commission.” Gus Nichols 3

Gen. 3:15 [15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 4

“The death of Jesus is the central theme of the entire Bible, thus, the central theme of human history. From the time man first sinned, God let him know of One who would come to save mankind… 5

From that time on, the Bible points toward the perfect sacrifice which would be offered on Calvary for man’s sins. After Christ’s death the Bible always looks back to the cross. Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).” (tftw.org) 6

Is. 53:4-6 [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 7

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 8

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 9

Ps. 109:24-25 [24] My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. [25] I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads. 10

Ps. 22:14-18 [14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. [15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 11

[16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. [17] I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. [18] They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 12

Christ came to earth to give men an opportunity to have their sins forgiven and to purchase the church These works of Christ all hinge on the cross 13

I. The church centers around the cross 14

Acts 20:28 – church purchased [28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood 15

1 Cor. 15:1-4 – The gospel we preach grew out of the cross [1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 16

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 17

Acts 2:47 [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 18

II. Redemption centers around the cross 19

Redemption = to buy; to buy back; 20

Eph. 1:7 [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 21

Eph. 2:16 [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 22

Rom. 6:3-4 [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 23

III. The Lord’s Supper centers around the cross 24

1 Cor. 11:26 [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 25

Mt. 26:26-29 [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. [27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26

[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 27

1 Cor. 11:24-25 [24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 28

IV. End of the Old Law --- the separating of the Covenants centers around the cross 29

Gal. 3:24-25 [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 30

Col. 2:14 [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 31

Heb. 7:22 [22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 32

V. Salvation centers around the cross 33

1 Pet. 2:24 – Jesus died for our sins [24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 34

1 Cor. 15:3 [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 35

1 Cor. 1:18 – preaching of the cross is God’s power to save [18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 36

1 Cor. 15:2 [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 37

Conclusion 38

Rom. 6:17-18 [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 39

The doctrine is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ – 1 Cor. 15:1-4 40

Have you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine? 41