LESSONS FROM THE CROSS

VIEWS OF THE CROSS What significance does it have for you? To Paul, it marked his separation from the world – Gal. 6:14. It was the focus of his preaching – 1 Cor. 2:2 It was something many could not understand – 1 Cor. 1:23

The Viewpoints of Men To Judas it was about money – John 12:4-6 To the leading Jews it was about silence To Pilate it was about self-preservation.

III. The viewpoints of God A.        To the Father it was about satisfying justice     1.         Justified by Jesus’ blood - Romans 5:8-11  2.         Jesus tasted death for us - Hebrews 2:9  3.        He took our sins to the cross - Isaiah 53:5,11  4.         He was our propitiation – he turned away God’s wrath against us - I John 4:9-10

The viewpoints of God B. To the Son it was about submission  1.         He learned obedience - Hebrews 5:7-9  2.         Jesus submitted to the Father’s will - Matthew 26:39, 53-54  3.         He endured the cross - Hebrews 12:2  4.         He humbled himself - Philippians 2:8-11    C.        Unlike man, God knew what was going to result

IV. The viewpoint of the Christian  A.        To each saint it was about salvation   1.         Gave us redemption by his blood - Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5   2.         It killed our sins - Romans 6:1-7   3.         It purified us - Revelation 7:14              B.        To the Christian it purchased a kingdom - Acts 20:28              C.        To the saved it demonstrated God’s power - I Corinthians 1:18-24

To the lost, the message of the cross is foolishness - I Corinthians 1:18 A.        Yet, we preach that message anyway - I Corinthians 1:23   B.        Men of this world do not understand - I Corinthians 2:14-16  C.        But in the message of the cross is the power of God - Romans 1:16  D.        It is the core of all that we teach - I Corinthians 2:1-2          E.        So, what does the cross mean to you?