The Message of the Cross

2. The Message of the Cross

3. The Message of the Cross • I Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” • I Corinthians 2:1-2 – “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified”

4. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner

5. Man is a Sinner • God send His Son, Jesus, to the cross for the sins of the whole world. • Matthew 1:21 – “for He will save His people from their sins” • Matthew 26:28 – “this is My blood… which is shed for many for the remission of sins” • I Peter 1:18-19 – “redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ”

6. Man is a Sinner • All have sinned and are in need of this message. • Romans 3:23 – “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” • I John 1:5-9 – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

7. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just

8. God is Just • It is the righteous character of God that required the death of Jesus as the penalty for our sins. • Romans 3:24-26 – “whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness”

9. God is Just • Jesus had to pay the price and suffer the punishment for our sins. • Hebrews 10:4, 10 – “not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin” • II Corinthians 5:20-21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” • I Corinthians 6:19-20 – “you were bought at a price”

10. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just • Reveals Man is Helpless in Saving Himself

11. Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • If man could do it himself there would have been no need for Jesus to die. • Galatians 2:16 – “a man is not justified by the works of the law” • Galatians 21 – “if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” • Romans 8:1-3 – “what the law could not do”

12. Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • Salvation is Not Earned but by the Grace of God • Ephesians 2:4-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves” • Acts 15:11 – “we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved”

13. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just • Reveals Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • Displays the Love of God

14. The Love of God • God so loved the world • John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” • I John 4:9-10 – “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world” • Romans 5:8-10 – “in that while we were still sinners”

15. The Love of God • Greater love has no man. • John 15:13 – “greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” • Luke 23:33-34 – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”

16. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just • Reveals Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • Displays the Love of God • Invites Men to Come to Jesus

17. Invites Men to Come to Jesus • In the cross we see the means by which all of us may be saved. • Hebrews 2:9 – “that He, by the grace of God, might taste death from everyone” • Galatians 3:26-29 – “you are all Son of God through faith in Christ Jesus”

18. Invites Men to Come to Jesus • This offer of salvation is the purpose of the Gospel. • Matthew 28:18-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” • Mark 16:15-16 – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” • Luke 24:46-47 – “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached” • Romans 1:16 – “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”

19. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just • Reveals Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • Displays the Love of God • Invites Men to Come to Jesus • Directs Men to Trust and Obey Christ

20. Trust and Obey Christ • All Blessings are in Christ • Ephesians 1:3, 7, 11, 2:13 – “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly place in Christ” • Galatians 3:26-30 – “you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus”

21. Trust and Obey Christ • We must be willing to Submit to God & Obey • John 15:9-14 – “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” • Hebrews 5:8-9 – “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”

22. The Message of the Cross… • Reveals Man is a Sinner • Declares that God is Just • Reveals Man is Helpless in Saving Himself • Displays the Love of God • Invites Men to Come to Jesus • Directs Men to Trust and Obey Christ • Gives Hope of Eternal Life

23. Hope of Eternal Life • We have a living Hope in Christ • I Peter 1:3-4 – “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” • Christ has prepared a place for us • John 14:1-6 – “I go to prepare a place for you”

24. The Message of the Cross • I Corinthians 15:1-4 • Have you received & obeyed the message of the cross that you may be saved? • Are you standing and holding fast to the message of the cross?

25. God’s Plan of Salvation • Hear the Word of God (Acts 8:35) • Believe in Jesus (Acts 8:37) • Repent of Sins (Acts 17:30) • Confess faith in Christ (Acts 8:37) • Be Baptized in Water (Acts 8:38) • Remain Faithful (Revelations 2:10) • If err, repent and pray to God (I John 1:9)