Introduction: 

I.                   HOW IS THE CROSS PERCEIVED?

A.      There are many different concepts & views of the Son of God dieing upon a cross. 

1 Cor. 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 

B.   The preaching of the cross is the basic truth of the gospel. 

1 Cor. 2:1-2, “And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 

1 Cor. 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 

II.     WHAT CAN YOU & I LEARN FROM THE CROSS? 

Discussion: 

I.                   WE CAN LEARN ABOUT GOD & HIS LOVE FOR US.

A.     God is revealed through nature. 

Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” 

Rom. 1:18-21, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” 

B.     God is also made known by His Son, Jesus Christ. 

John 14:8-9, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?  He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” 

John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book:  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 

C.  The cross of Christ reveals the great love that God has for us. 

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

Rom. 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

II.                WE CAN LEARN OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF OUR GUILT OF SIN. 

Rom. 3:10, 23, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” 

Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 III.             WE CAN LEARN THAT OUR RIGHTEOUS GOD CANNOT TOLERATE OR OVERLOOK SIN. 

Rom. 3:24-26, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” 

IV.              WE CAN COME TO REALIZE HOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO SAVE OURSELVES BY OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

V.                 WE TRULY COME TO REALIZE THE POWER OF GOD TO SAVE US. 

Rom. 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” 

VI.              WE SEE IN THE CROSS GOD’S MEANS OF OFFERING & PROVIDING US SALVATION. 

Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” 

Matt. 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

Heb. 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” 

Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” 

VII.           WE CAN COME TO REALIZE THAT WE CAN ACCEPT OR REJECT GOD’S OFFER OF FORGIVENESS. 

Acts 10:34-35, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” 

VIII.        WE COME TO REALIZE THAT WE MUST OBEY THE GOSPEL IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. 

Heb. 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 Thess. 1:7-9, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” 

IX.              WE LEARN OF THE NECESSITY OF FAITHFUL & SACRIFICAL LIVING. 

Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” 

X.                 WE COME TO REALIZE THAT THE CHURCH IS THE REDEEMED. 

Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” 

XI.              WE COME TO REALIZE THAT ETERNAL LIFE IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST & HIS CHURCH. 

Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” 

Eph. 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” 

Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” 

John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” 

Closing: 

   In learning these great truths from the cross of Christ you and I should apply them to our lives. 

--Dub Mowery