The Christ Of The Cross Galatians 6:14

Without The Cross, There Is No Christ In the gospel, the Lord’s “glory” is always connected to His “suffering” (Lk. 24:25-26, 46; Heb. 2:9-10) The OT scriptures predicted that the Christ would suffer (Psa. 22:1-18; Isa. 53:1-12)

But many of the Jews found the cross offensive Was not Jesus under God’s curse to have died such a death? (Cf. Deut. 21:22-23) Their mistake was in failing to realize the vicarious nature of Christ’s suffering and indignity (Eph. 5:2) Jesus was indeed under the curse of God — but for our sins – (Gal. 3:13) The gospel of Christ is nothing less than the “word of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:17-18)

The Cross Is Evidence Of God’s Immense Love for Us In God loves us more than we can realize or describe (Jn. 3:16-17) God’s love is a demonstrated love (Rom. 5:8) Jesus’ death on the cross gives us a model of self-sacrificial love (Matt. 20:28; Eph. 5:25)

The Love Of Christ “Controls” Us “I gave My life for thee, what hast thou giv’n for Me?” (our book #340) The cross is our greatest motivator to obedience and service (2 Cor. 5:14-15) The cross is our greatest reason to endure persecution (1 Peter 2:21-24; 4:12-13)

Does Our Gratitude Show? Are we involved in petty bickering and backbiting? Do we whine and complain about the Lord’s work? Are we miserly in giving? Is our attendance sporadic at the Lord’s services? How are we about personal evangelism? Is our prayer and Bible study minimal at best?