The People of the Cross

Temple Baptist Church 03-09-2008

Matthew 27:11-54

Introduction:

A. As Easter Sunday approaches, our minds and hearts automatically should turn to a place called Calvary and the “Old Rugged Cross.” When I survey the wondrous cross, it still holds a beautiful attraction for me.

B. The cross of Christ affects different people in different ways but it should bring tears of gratitude when we think of His great sacrifice. God’s only begotten Son became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

C. There was a multitude of people who were either involved with the actual crucifixion or were spectators. Some were glad to see the death of Christ. Some were sad to see the death of Christ. Some were simply amused at the death of Christ. Some were curious and came as spectators to the death of Christ. I want to look at a few of these people this morning and then ask the question: “Which one is descriptive of you!”

1. There Were Those That Did Not Want To Be There - vs 11-18, 24
(To Some, The Cross Was An Inconvenience)

a. Those who are not interested in the gospel and salvation
b. Religion is just an inconvenience (just don’t have the time)
c. Pilate - 27:18, 23-24 (washed his hands)
d. The Darkened Heart (will not allow the light of salvation to shine)
e. The Wayside Hearer - Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

2. There Were Those That Hated Christ - vs 19-23
(To Some, The Cross Was An Insult)

a. These are the RELIGIONISTS.
b. They are the mockers - 39, 40 (men of reprobate mind who are enemies of the cross)
c. They have their religion, but are not interested in Christ (they who are belligerent towards the things of God)
d. The Hard Heart
e. The Stony Ground Hearer - Matthew 13:5-6 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Matthew 3:7-9 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

3. There Were Those That Rejected - vs 24-25
(To Some, The Cross Was An Intrusion)

a. Those who hear and choose a life of self and sin
b. They were just curious - vs 36 (just came to see what is going on, but had no real interest in salvation)
c. The Unrepentant Heart
d. Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

4. There Were Those Who Were Saved - vs 54, Luke 23:42
(To Some, The Cross Was A Blessed Interruption)

a. Came seeking and found eternal life in Jesus Christ

b. Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

1. The Call of The Cross - John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

a. The Person of The Cross - “And I, if I”
b. The Preaching of The Cross - “be lifted up”
c. The Position of The Cross - “from the earth”
d. The Promise of The Cross -”will draw”
e. The People of The Cross - “all men”

2. The Choice of The Cross

a. The Invitation of The Cross Extended - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1) The Choice Is Personal - “You” is understood

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

2) The Choice Is Limited - “Come unto me”

John 10:7, 9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

3) The Choice Is Wonderful - “I will give you rest”

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

4) The Choice Is Imperative - “Come”

John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

b. The Conclusion of The Cross Explained - John 3:18-21 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1) The Condition of The Cross - Believing vs. unbelieving
2) The Choice of The Cross - Cometh vs. Neither Cometh
3) The Contrast of The Cross - Doeth Truth vs. Loved Darkness
4) The Condemnation of The Cross - Not Condemned vs. Condemned