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Scripture Reading:  Revelation 5:8-12

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Intro.
1.  The cross was an instrument of execution, but its message is one of the power of God & victory over sin, 1 Cor. 1:18, 23-24.

2.  When I survey the wondrous cross, I see…

I.  THE SIN OF MAN.

  A.  Shameful Cruelty toward Jesus, Matt. 27:22-26; Acts 10:38-39.

    1.  Injustice & irreverence, cf. Acts 3:14-15.

    2.  Hour of darkness, Lk. 22:53.

  B.  Enemies of the Cross (Phil. 3:18).

    1.  Mocking crowd, Matt. 27:39-40.  Today, cf. 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

    2.  Unbelieving thief, Lk. 23:39-41.  Today, cf. Jno. 12:37-38.

       -Like many today, even approaching death he would not believe.

    3.  Indifferent soldiers, Jno. 19:23-24.  Today, cf. Matt. 24:12.

    4.  Antagonistic religious leaders, Mk. 15:31-32; Jno. 19:21.  Today, cf. Matt. 15:7-9.

  C.  The Curse of Sin, Gal. 3:13 (Deut. 21:23).

      -Blessing accomplished, Gal. 3:14.

II. THE LOVE OF GOD, Rom. 5:6-8.

  A.  God’s Love for the Lost (Jno. 3:14-17).

    1.  “Father, forgive…” (Lk. 23:34).

    2.  “Assuredly, I say to you, today….,” Lk. 23:43.

    3.  “It is finished” (Jno. 19:30):

      a.  Sacrifice for our sins, 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:4-6.

      b.  Redemption, Eph. 1:7 (1 Pet. 1:18-19); 1 Tim. 2:6.

      c.  Reconciliation, Eph. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:19.

      d.  Peace, Col. 1:20-23.

      e.  Propitiation, 1 Jno. 2:2; 4:10-11 (Rom. 5:9).

    4.  Grace, Heb. 2:9; Eph. 2:4-5.

  B.  For the Grieving (cf. Isa. 53:3)

    1.  Who grieve at death of loved ones:  “Woman...,” Jno. 19:26-27.

    2.  Who grieve over sin:  “We receive the due reward of our deeds…Lord, remember me…,” Lk. 23:41-42.

  C.  The Father’s Love for the Son.

    1.  How do we see this?!  Jno. 3:35; 5:19-21

    2.  The salvation accomplished; the joy & glory to follow, Jno. 17:5; Heb. 2:5-9; 12:2; Phil. 2:9.

  D.  Christ’s Love for the Father’s Will (Redemptive Plan), Matt. 26:39-44; Jno. 8:29; 17:4; 19:30; cf. Isa. 53:10-11.

III. THE MEANING OF HUMBLE OBEDIENCE, Phil. 2:5-8.

  A.  Jesus was Humiliated by Men when He Humbled Himself, cf. Isa. 53:7-8.

    1.  Example for us to remain humble, 1 Pet. 2:18-23.

    2.  Humble heart accepts the rejection of (evil) men, 1 Pet. 3:13, 16-17; 4:14.

IV. THE MEANING OF WILLING SACRIFICE, Jno. 10:17-18; 1 Pet. 3:18.

  A.  Sacrifice Requires a Commitment that Values Someone/Something Greater than Oneself, cf. Lk. 9:21-26.

    1.  Jesus fully committed to human redemption.

    2.  Disciple’s full commitment to Jesus: “Come after Me,” Lk. 9:21-26; Eph. 5:1-2.

    3.  Husband’s full sacrifice for his wife, cf. Eph. 5:25, 28-29.

V.  THE ONLY REAL HOPE FOR THE WORLD.

  A.  In God’s Hands there is Hope, Lk. 23:46; cf. Psa. 31:3-5.

    1.  For salvation, cf. Jno. 10:27-29.

    2.  For resurrection unto eternal life, 1 Ths. 4:14, 18.

Conclusion

1.  Jesus is worthy of all praise & power, Rev. 5:11-12.

2.  We are more than conquerors through Christ; we must give our lives to him, Rom. 8:33-37 (esp. 36).

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”  (Gal. 6:14)