Sermon Notes

The Significance of the Cross

“If the student has insufficient time to master the other important sections of Christian doctrine, let them at least have a firm grasp of this, which is the very heart and core of their faith…the cross of Jesus Christ.”

Gospel’s devotion to the last week of Christ’s life…

Matthew “33%

Mark “37%

Luke “25%”

John “42%”

NT “175” direct references to the death of Jesus Christ, not including OT prophetic anticipations).

“as often as” (1 Cor. 11v25, 26)

Justification (God declaring sinners righteous because of their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ)

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” - Romans 5:6-11

The Significance of our sin towards God.

Romans 5:6

 ^“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

John 3:3

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Colossians 1:21

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

Galatians 4:4

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

1. Jesus died at a time when we were weak and powerless to break the chains of sin.

2. Christ death was at a time that fit God’s purpose for the plan for salvation.

The Significance of God’s love to us

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Romans 5:7

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die

Human love can see injustice, feel the feelings created by the unjust act but rarely be moved enough to trade places with those affected by the injustice.

Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Humans must have a motive for love outside of themselves. God loves because he is love

1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The Significance of Christ Sacrifice for us

Romans 5:9

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Hebrews 9:22

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Romans 5:10

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Justification (legal term relating to a decision in court)

Reconciliation (personal term relating to a relationship being restored)

Heb. 7:25

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 5:11

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Pastor E.V. Hill

“We, who have been saved not only have something to shout about but we have a stewardship to shout.”

How do we respond to our sin being forgiven, due to the great love of God through the death of Jesus Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:28

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.