2011.07.31.Sermon.Cross and Sword
The Message of the Cross
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In 2000, we drove across the country from Maryland to California and back. On our return, we blew past this Great Big Cross along the highway in Texas. By the time we saw the exit, we had passed it and continued our journey home. The image of that great big cross stuck in my mind, I thought, if we ever go back that way again, I want to stop in.
Well, this year June/July 2011, we did a similar trip in reverse. Miles before we were at the exit, we saw this Great Cross in the horizon that was along the highway of Route 40 in Groom Texas. And when we stopped, we were amazed. We met Steve Thomas, the engineer, builder and owner of this monument of faith, and we heard his incredible story of the ministry and power of the cross.
Many see the cross and they are made to wonder of this enormous monument.
One statement made by my 9 year old son as we came upon this monument has stuck in my heart and mind, it was a revelation of truth to me and this what I learned from the mouth of a child.
His statement was simply this... “Dad, that huge cross looks like a huge sword that God took from heaven and drove into the earth”
The Cross is God’s Sword of Judgment, Salvation and Victory.
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PREACHING OF THE CROSS
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.
JESUS ENDURED THE CROSS TO SET US FREE
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
COMMITTED TO THE CROSS
Matthew 27:40-42 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
He would not come down from the cross to save himself, he stayed upon the cross to save the lost.
COMMITTED TO THE CROSS
Mark 15:28-32 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
SAVED IN THE CROSS
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.
DEATH OF THE CROSS
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
BLOOD OF HIS CROSS
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
NAILED TO THE CROSS
Colossians 2:14 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;
ENDURING THE CROSS DESPITE THE SHAME
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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My 9 year old son, Jared, made an astounding and thought provoking statement at the sight of this massive cross.
“It looks like a Huge Sword that God took from Heaven and struck in the ground.”
The cross looks just like that…God’s sword, judgment, struck into the dirt of this world. The sword of the cross, to divide good from evil and to strike against sin once for all.
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SWORD BRINGS PUNISHMENT AND JUDGMENT
Job 19:29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
DOUBLE EDGED FOR PIERCING THROUGH
Psalms 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Jeremiah 12:12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS THE WORD
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
THE SWORD SEPARATES
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
SWORD FOR THE SLAUGHTER, SHARPENED TO CUT, A TRIAL – JUDGMENT
SWORD DESPISES THE SCEPTOR
Ezekiel 21:8-13 8 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.
SWORD TO SMITE THE GREAT SHEPHERD
Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
SWORD OF JUDGMENT, NOT OF PEACE
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
SWORD OF GOOD, FOR THE MINISTER OF GOD
Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
SWORD OF HIS WORD
JUDGMENT BY THE SWORD
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
As you meditate on these words, the Cross is God's Sword, there are so many implications of what that can represent. I have tried to capture what scripture relates to this and am only touching the surface of the depth of this profound statement.
Open your eyes, ears and senses to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit's instruction. It is amazing to me as HE reveals HIMSELF through HIS WORD and HIS HANDIWORK around me.
God Bless
