What the Cross Changed – Part 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Date written: 2 April 2015
SUBJECT: Salvation
TITLE: What the Cross Changed
PROPOSITION: The cross is the center of history, and it changed everything. The cross changed 1) the world, 2) me, and 3) the future.
OBJECTIVE: To study and understand the pivotal role that the cross plays in history, personal life, and eternity.
Aim: I hope that each person listening to this sermon will come away with a renewed sense of wonder at the depth of meaning in the cross of Christ.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
2. About the Text:
1) If anyone could have bragged about himself, the apostle Paul could.
2) He was a self-described Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee (Phil.3:5).
3) Yet he said “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Phil.3:7).
4) The cross changed the apostle Paul, but he isn’t the only thing that the cross has changed.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Cross Changed the World
I. The Old Covenant to the New
1. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col.2:14).
2. “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:12).
3. “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator” (Heb.8:17).
II. Works to Faith
1. The world before Jesus was dominated by works.
2. Christianity is the only world religion that does not have a system of salvation by meritorious works.
3. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
4. “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” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
III. Law to Grace
1. The world before Jesus was dominated by law.
2. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
3. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
4. “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).
CONCLUSION:
1. The cross changed and changes the world . . .
1) From Old Covenant to New
2) From Works to Faith
3) From Law to Grace
2. Invitation