THE CROSS AND THE MESSAGE OF HOPE TO MANKIND
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OUTLINE
1.SINS
2.SICKNESS
3.SORROW
4.STRESS
5.SCOURGE
6.SHAME
7.STRUGGLE
THE MESSAGE
THE CROSS AND THE MESSAGE OF HOPE TO MANKIND
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1.SINS
The cross of Jesus Christ gives a message of hope to those who are lost in their sins.The blood of Jesus can forgive and cleanse our sinful hearts of men. We do not have to die without hope. We can repent and turn from our sinful ways and the the cross offers us pardon and a promise of a brand new life. The salvation of our soul is the greatest blessing we can receive from the cross. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus , Jesus showed the greatness of the salvation of the soul . The rich man enjoyed the luxuries of life while on earth but was tormented in hell for all eternity . The poor beggar lived a pathetic life on earth but enjoyed the joy of heaven for all eternity. The salvation that Christ offers through the cross is far more precious than any earthly treasure.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
1 John 1:7-9
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores
and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ’Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
"But Abraham replied, ’Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
"He answered, ’Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
"Abraham replied, ’They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
" ’No, father Abraham,’ he said, ’but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
"He said to him, ’If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ "
2.SICKNESS
The cross of Jesus offers healing from sickness. Jesus took our sicknessness and bore our infirmities and by his stripes we are healed. Healing is provided by the stripes of Jesus. Jesus paid the price of our healing. We must have faith in Him in order to receive healing . Unbelief and doubt can prevent us from experiencing miracles in our life. Peter walked on water as long as he had faith on the word of Jesus and had focused his attention on Jesus. He was able to walk on water even though the storm was still raging. But once he started to look at the storm , his faith became weak and he started to sink. We must have a strong faith on the promises of God inspite of our circumstances in order to prevail. Our faith will help us to experiences miracles in our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 8:16-17
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!
Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid."
"Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
3.SORROW
The cross offers hope to those in sorrow because Jesus carried our sorrows and our griefs. People in sorrow can come to the cross and receive comfort and healing for their broken hearts. We should not drown in our sorrows by continuing to nurse our wounds and lingering in our pain. We must allow the Lord to heal our broken hearts and turn our sorrows into joy. The Lord told Samuel not to keeping on grieving over Saul but to move on into the plan of God for the future.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Isaiah 53:4
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
1 Samuel 16:1
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
John 16:20
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
4.STRESS
The cross gives a message of Jesus to those who are experiencing stress and distress. Jesus took the punishment that brought us peace upon Himself on the cross. Therefore Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and receive rest and peace. He has given us His own peace for us to enjoy. We must cast our cares and worries upon the Lord and enjoy the peace of God in our lives.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
5.SCOURGE
The cross gives a message of hope to those who are living under the scourge of curses in their lives.Jesus took all the curses of mankind upon himself and became a curse for us.Therefore it is the will of God that all who accept Christ in their hearts live under his blessings. All who live under the bondage of curses and experience continuous failure and loss and frustration in their lives can come to the cross and receive complete deliverance from all curses and live in the full blessings of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
6.SHAME
The cross gives a message of hope to those who experience shame and humiliation before others. Jesus suffered humiliation during the cross .He was mocked and ridiculed that he saved others but could not save himself. But God has highly exalted Christ above everyone else. Thus honour was bestowed after the humiliation at the cross. The same promise holds true for everyone who faces shame and humiliation in their walk with God. The Lord will honour them for every humiliation they faced and lift them up before the same people who ridiculed them. All who suffer with Christ will also reign with Him. Suffering for Christ will not go in vain . It is highly valuable because of the eternal rewards it brings. Thus those who suffer for Christ need not be discouraged but look forward to their reward. We are called to follow the footsteps of Christ who set an example of suffering for us. We must focus our attention on the joy that is set before us as we carry our cross.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Philipians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
I Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
7.STRUGGLE
The cross gives a message of hope in all the struggles and battles we face in our life. Jesus disarmed the devil and triumphed over him on the cross. Therefore through the cross we have victory over the enemy . The blood of Jesus is a powerful weapon against the enemy in all our battles.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Revelation 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Colossians 2:15
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
