Christ and the Cross
Christ and the Cross: The Meaning & Importance of Jesus' Crucifixion. It is no exaggeration to say that the execution of Jesus of Nazareth by crucifixion is the pivotal point in world history. What is the meaning of that event as far as our relationship with God is concerned? What shall be our response to it? These are "crucial" questions. Indeed they are the most important questions we can ask. If the preaching of the apostles of Jesus is true, the eternal destiny of every human being hinges on each individual's decision about the cross of Jesus Christ. Will we believe what the apostles taught, commit to its truth, and "die with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) -- or will we reject it? We will surely want to make an informed, deliberate choice in this matter.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, "I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul understood that Jesus' sacrificial death to atone for our sins was the very heart of the gospel. It needs to be kept at the forefront of our attention today.
The lessons in this series focus on five specific truths about the cross. While these are "sermon outlines," they can also be useful for personal Bible study or as the basis for small-group Bible discussions. May this study remind us that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!
Gary Henry - WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
When Our Love for Christ Grows Weak
Going back to the cross is a painful thing to do. No sensitive human being can think of the agony of Christ's crucifixion and not be gut-wrenched. But there is no other way for us to be healed of what hurts us.
The Indispensable Fact
Belief in the resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith. The resurrection is the indispensable fact of the gospel. Without it, the gospel is not good news. It is not even helpful religious philosophy. It is simply nonsense.
The Declaration of God
What if we neglect the declaration of Himself that God has made? Then we die. Ultimately, there is no alternative. Jesus could not have said it more clearly: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Christ and the Cross – Lesson 1 – The Necessity of the Cross
The cross was the only way God could bring about our salvation and not violate the justice of His own character (Rom. 3:25,26). Jesus drank the cup of His suffering because it was not possible for it to be otherwise and our sins be forgiven.
Christ and the Cross – Lesson 2 – The Death of the Cross
It is irony of the highest order that Jesus gave us glory by submitting to shame and gave us victory by submitting to defeat — He gave us life by submitting to death (Hb. 2:14,15). The cross is the death of death by the death of Christ.
Christ and the Cross – Lesson 3 – The Blood of the Cross
Sin is described in the Scriptures as the soiling of a soul that was once pure and clean. It is the blood of Christ that makes “cleansing” from sin possible (Rev. 1:5). In the words of the old hymn, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Christ and the Cross – Lesson 4 – The Love of the Cross
However humbled we may be by God’s love and however moved to obedience and service, we need to be encouraged by the knowledge that God loved us and gave His Son for us. The love of God is that “which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:39), the One who died for us.
Christ and the Cross – Lesson 5 – The Preaching of the Cross
The Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20) applies, at least indirectly, to every one of the Lord’s people. We each have been taught so that we might teach others, and there are important ways each of us can be involved in the preaching of the cross.