THE ATTRACTION OF THE CROSS

JOHN 12:3

A. THE MERITS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST OFFERS TO SINNERS
  1. Complete and eternal liberty:
    1. From the guilt of sin - John 8:36; Rom. 7:24; 8:1,
  2. What a love gift centers in the cross of Christ!
    1. From the enslaving power of sin - Rom. 6:1-3; 14- 16; Acts 26:18. True freedom centers in the atonement made for us on Calvary.
    2. From the eternal consequences of sin - 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Mi. 7:18, 19. One might exclaim, O the height and depth of mercy! Rom. 11:33
  3. It brings to the believer a new and brighter outlook:
    1. We learn the true value of life in the light of the cross of Christ.
    2. It will teach us to value it more than we would in a world of sin and selfishness - Eph. 1:1-6; Phil. 1:21; Ps. 8:4-6
    3. It reveals the value the Creator and Redeemer places upon our lives - Jer. 31:1-3; John 3:16
    4. One sees a new and hopeful future for the human race - Luke 23:43, 44; 2 Pet. 3:12, 13; Heb. 11:14-16. When we read Hebrews Chapter 11 we find that the history of God's people has ever been the same; all the saints looked forward to a new and better world.
B. IT CHANGES THE VALUE OF THE PENITENT SINNER
  1. He is, by nature, a sinner:
    1. Isa. 40:15; Job 10:9; Ps. 103:14
    2. Ps. 62:9; Isa. 40:6; 1 Pet. 1
  2. He became, in the light of the cross:
    1. A saint - Phil. 4:21
    2. A fellow heir to God's promises - Gal. 3:26-29
    3. A trophy of God's grace - John 3:16; Eph. 2:7, 8
    4. A Son of God - John 1:10, 11
C. WHAT DO ALL THESE THINGS MEAN TO YOU AND TO ME?
  1. Much in every way:
    1. We need not worry about our confessed sins; they were taken care of on the cross of Calvary.
    2. Christ died for our sins - 1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 14:9; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15
    3. That fact alone should keep the memory of the cross of Christ alive in our hearts forever. Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:23-29
  2. It gives sanctified reason for us to be fully dedicated to the gospel of the cross of Christ:
    1. "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." - Gal. 6:17
    2. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus" - Gal. 6:14
  3. Here are some soul-saving facts of the benefits derived from the gospel of the cross of Christ:
    1. It will give us rest and assurance forever - Rom. 8:1-3, 31-33
    2. Think of the invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matt. 11:28
    3. It makes us beloved in the Beloved. God sees us, not as we are but as the gospel of Jesus Christ has transferred us out of darkness into his marvelous light - 1 Pet. 2:9-11
      1. These blessings of the cross place new and great responsibilities upon every person born into this world.
      2. How can we, in the light of the cross of Christ, continue in sin? Heb. 10:26-29
      3. How can we close our eyes to the infinite price paid for our redemption?


Design © John Bryant 2011