OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to list of sermons Next  Click to download Sermon

BECAUSE OF THE CROSS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.             Psalm 22:16

 

For dogs have compassed me:  the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me:  they pierced my hands and my feet.

 

1.                This psalm of David is Messianic in nature.

2.                Specifically, it foretells of the crucifixion; Jesus’ hands and feet would be pierced with the Roman nails.

 

B.              The New Testament tells of the fulfillment of this prophecy in a few brief words (Luke 23:33).

 

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

 

C.              Roman crucifixion was a horrible, agonizing form of death.  It was the death reserved for criminals (Gal. 3:13b).

 

…for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

 

D.             Because of the cross, however, Christians have many blessing bestowed upon them.

 

I.        BECAUSE OF THE CROSS, I KNOW THAT I AM LOVED

 

A.             I John 4:10.

 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent him Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

B.              By means of the cross of Calvary, God wrapped His arms around the world, and said, “I love you.”

1.                It was divine love, God for man.

2.                It was unique love, love for enemies.

3.                It was sacrificial love, the death of the Son of God.

4.                It was great love, on behalf of every sin of mankind.

 

C.              Our enemies may oppose us.  Our friends may forsake us.  Our family may disown us.  Still, we are loved by God (Rom. 8:38-39).

 

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, or things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.

 

II.      BECAUSE OF THE CROSS, I KNOW THAT I AM FORGIVEN

 

A.             Sin is a debilitating, soul-damning disease that infects the inner man.  It is incurable, likened to the disease of leprosy.

 

B.              Because of the cross, though, we are healed, cleansed, and saved from our sins.

1.                Isaiah 53:5.

 

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.

 

2.                Revelation 1:5b.

 

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

 

3.                Ephesians 1:7.

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

C.              Christians have no weight of sin to carry, no sting of sin that inflicts the conscience, nor corruption of sin that will condemn his soul (Rom. 8:1-3).

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.

 

III.     BECAUSE OF THE CROSS, MY LIFE HAS PURPOSE

 

A.             Purpose involves an end to be obtained.

 

B.              Those in the world argue that their lives have purpose.

1.                The rearing of a good family.

2.                The building of a successful business.

3.                The storing up of riches for retirement.

4.                Good health and the enjoyment of life.

 

C.              Worldly purposes, however, are just that, worldly.  The purposes of which we speak goes beyond this world into realms eternal.

1.                Two verses set forth our purpose.

a.         Titus 2:14.

 

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

                                    b.         Ephesians 2:10.

 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

2.                Our purpose is to constantly engage in good works.

a.         Such brings glory to God (Matt. 5:16).

b.         Good works serves the needs of mankind (Titus 3:8).

c.         Good works help us to save those who are lost (John 15:8).

d.         Good works store up treasures in heavenly realms (Matt. 6:91-21).

 

IV.     BECAUSE OF THE CROSS, I CAN FORGIVE OTHERS

 

A.             Remember, because of the cross, I am forgiven.

1.                My sins were great, but they were forgiven.

2.                My sins were numerous, but they were forgiven.

3.                My sins were committed against a perfect God, but they were forgiven.

4.                My sins cost God the death of His Son, but they were forgiven.

 

B.              Because of the cross, therefore, I should be able to forgive others who trespass against me (Col. 3:13).

 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

 

1.                Have the trespasses of others against me been as great as mine against God?

2.                Have the trespasses of others against me been as numerous as mine?

3.                Were the trespasses of others against me committed against one as holy as God?

4.                Does the forgiveness I am called to offer cost me as much as God’s cost Him?

 

C.              What I must forgive pales in comparison to what God has forgiven.  Perhaps now the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is put in a proper perspective.

1.                The debt of ten thousand talents was forgiven by the lord (Matt. 18:23-27).

2.                That same servant could not forgive his fellowservant who owed him only a hundred pence (Matt. 18:28-30).

3.                The confrontation of the servant by the lord (Matt. 18:31-34).

a.         The question (Matt. 18:32-33).

 

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  shouldest not thou also had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

 

                                    b.         The punishment (Matt. 18:34).

 

                        4.         Jesus’ application (Matt. 18:35).

 

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.             The cross was a horrible thing, but because of the cross

1.                I know I am loved.

2.                I know I am forgiven.

3.                I know that my life has purpose.

4.                I know that I can forgive those who sin against me.

 

B.              Because of the cross, I have an example of obedience.

1.                Hebrews 5:8-9.

 

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

 

2.                There are two major components of obedience (Matt. 26:39).

a.         The sacrifice of our will.

b.         The complete surrender to the will of the Father.

 

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let his cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 

3.                Perhaps you need to obey this morning.  The cross shows you how to do this.