 Do you ever look at the cross?  Isaac Watts did: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross  What do I see when I survey the cross?  Cross from a historical perspective  Cross from a physical perspective 2

 Pilate asked, “What shall I do with Jesus?  Answer: “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”  The cross is a symbol of His love and their hate.  Why? But recall what Jesus said on the cross? Lk. 23:34  Religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat as many do even today: Mk. 12:37; Jn. 3: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Saul became Paul and became totally committed to Jesus!  Saul’s life: Acts 26:9-20; 1 Cor. 2:2; 15:1-5  The cross became Paul’s everything! Gal. 6:14  I pray the cross becomes everything to you and me too! 5 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Worldly wisdom cannot save souls!  The thought of a crucified Savior was repugnant to the Jews and a sign of weakness to the Greeks: 1 Cor. 1:18-31  That’s why “God chose the foolish things of the world” to save mankind; that “no flesh should glory before God.”  Thus, the gospel does not appeal to many who are “wise” by the world’s standard. 6 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Through the cross God’s grace has been extended to all men: Gal. 6:14; Titus 2:11  Unfortunately most fail to realize this because they fail to appreciate sin.  They don’t appreciate what John Newton appreciated! Matt. 25:41  Every Christian must develop a deep love for the souls of men: 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Cor. 5:10- 11a 7 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 On the cross we see civil government’s role in punishing evil doers: Rom. 13:4  The cross was unjust to Jesus, but Pilate had the God-given authority to punish evil men: Rom. 13:2-5; Jn. 19:11  Unfortunately justice is not always perfect: Jn. 18:38  Today’s “powers that be” should take note and not subvert justice for political expediency. 8 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 The book of Hebrews speaks of the crown: Heb. 2:9  Peter spoke of Jesus’ coronation: Acts 2:36  Jesus would not receive the “crown” if not willing to go through the “suffering of death”!  We too have a “crown” awaiting if He’s at the center of our life! 2 Tim. 4:8; Jn. 14:15; Phil. 1:21  Do you love “His appearing”? Is He at the center of your life? 9 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Many blame God for all the bad in the world.  Such charges are totally false! Jn. 3:16  To understand God’s love we must look at the cross: Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Cor. 9:15  The love shown on the cross tells us three important things: God is on our side! Rom. 8:31 God is on our side! Rom. 8:31 God will take care of us! Rom. 8:32 God will take care of us! Rom. 8:32 God’s love for us is unwavering! Rom. 8:33-39 God’s love for us is unwavering! Rom. 8: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Man’s most egregious fault is failure to appreciate the horrific nature of sin.  Sin is the cause of the world’s problems! Yet most love sin! Jas. 4:4  The cross shows us the horrific nature of sin.  But there’s more to it than simply the cross: Jn. 1:1-2, 3, 4  We can only appreciate the horrific nature of sin when we understand who Jesus is! 11 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 Jesus died for the sins of all men: 1 Jn. 2:1b-2; Jn. 3:16  But if everyone lived a perfect life He still would have had to go to the cross for my sins!  My sins caused Him so much suffering and shame! Matt. 27:29-30; Lk. 23:21; Jn. 19:15; Mk. 15:31-32  Unless and until we appreciate this fact we’ll not appreciate the horrific nature of sin, the enormity of His sacrifice, nor the depth of God’s love for ME! 12 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 The cross is evidence of my responsi- bility toward Christ: Matt. 10:38; 10:24  This is our Lord’s challenge that must be heeded by me each and every day!  “The Way of the Cross Leads Home”  But only if I’m totally committed to Christ! Lk. 9:23 13 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

14  What’s the greatest barrier to my total submission to Christ and the cross? ME!  Recall what Jesus always did? Jn. 8:29  This is our challenge in life too!  No crown of glory without the cross of duty!