The Cross of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Isaiah 53:1-12

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Isaiah, chapters 52-53, give us both a visual image and spiritual revelation of what took place at Calvary.  The Messiah, Jesus Christ, reject by His own and offered for the sins of the world.  These verses are fulfilled in John 3:16.  The Book of Hebrews gives another vivid description of the New Testament Altar of sacrifice which is a fulfillment of the Old Testament type.

 

Hebrews 13:10-15  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  (11)  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  (12)  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  (14)  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  (15)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

1.  Calvary is a place of Sacrifice - 10-12

 

2.  Calvary is a place of Separation – 12

 

3.  Calvary is a place of Identification - 13-14

 

4.  Calvary is a place of Worship – 15

 

B.  Calvary is the place where God sacrificed His only Son for Sinners -  The Roman soldier stood at the cross and said, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” – (Mark 15:33-39}

 

C.  It was at the cross of Calvary that we find the fulfillment of Genesis 22:8, “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”  The new version add the word “for” to precede “himself” but that changes the verse.  “For himself” indicates that God needs a lamb for Himself.  The verse is say that God will provide “HIMSELF” a lamb.  Jesus Christ is the “lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!

 

D.  There are many things that were manifested at Calvary and I will deal with just a few this morning.

 

1.  The Cross Manifested The Holiness Of God - 1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

a.  God’s Holiness Separated Him From Sinful Man  

                       

b.  God’s Holiness Demanded Sacrifice And Full Payment For Sin

                       

c.  God’s Holiness Demanded A Perfect Sacrifice For Sin  

 

2.  The Cross Manifested The Sinfulness Of Man And God’s Love For Sinners - Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

 

a.  God’s Hatred For Sin  

 

b.  God’s Love For Sinners

 

3.  The Cross Manifested The Remedy Of God - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

a.  The Willingness Of God To Send His Only Begotten Son

 

b.  The Willingness Of Jesus Christ To Suffer For Our Sin

 

4.  The Cross Manifested The Way Of Salvation - 1 Corinthians 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.

 

a.  The Purpose Of Our Preaching

 

b.  The Power Of Our Preaching

 

c.  The Prerogative Of Our Preaching  (Some believe and some do not!)