OceanSide church of Christ
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BECAUSE OF THE
CROSS
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
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.
1.
This passage states that
Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame. Both statements indicate the cruelty and
anguish of the cross.
2.
Why did He suffer such
affliction? Hebrews 12:2 states
that He did it “for the joy that was set before him.” Jesus knew the blessings that would be
the result of His vicarious sacrifice.
These blessings filled Him with joy.
B.
Today, the blessings of the
cross are available to all.
Christians are presently experiencing many of these blessings. In a previous lesson, we found that
because of the cross…
1.
We know that we are
loved.
2.
We know that we are
forgiven.
3.
We know that life has
purpose.
4.
We know that we can forgive
others.
5.
We know that we have a
perfect example of obedience to follow.
C.
In this lesson, let’s
continue to look at the subject, “Because of the Cross…”
I. WE
ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST
A.
Colossians 2:10
And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and
power.
1.
Complete
(4137).
a.
Strong: furnish, satisfy,
finish, fill (up)
b.
Thayer: to make full, to
cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally.
2.
Another way to say this is that without Christ we are incomplete and
lacking.
B.
In what ways are we complete
in Christ?
1.
Pardon and
righteousness:
sin.
2.
Holiness and purity: heart and life.
3.
Wisdom and knowledge: mind.
4.
Consolation and peace: conscience.
5.
Support and strength: trials.
6.
Courage and hope: future.
C.
Jesus provides the fullness of him that filleth all in all (Eph.
1:23).
II. WE HAVE HOPE FOR
THE FUTURE
A.
When we go door-knocking, we
see people who have no hope.
1.
For them, this life is all
there is.
2.
Paul said that misery is
attached to a life with no hope for the future (I Cor.
15:19).
If in this life
only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable.
3.
Sir Thomas Scott: “Until now I thought there was no God or
hell. Now I know there is both, and
I am doomed.”
B.
Because of the cross of
Forasmuch then
as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all
their lifetime subject to bondage.
C.
Our hope is beyond that
which is seen.
1.
The second coming of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:13).
2.
The resurrection from the
grave (Acts 23:6).
3.
The possession of a
glorified body (I Cor. 15:51-54).
4.
Eternal life in a place
called heaven (Tit. 1:2; Col. 1:5).
III. WE WILL BE HIS AT HIS
COMING
A.
Jesus is coming again (Acts
1:11).
Which also said,
Ye men of
B.
When He comes, the dead will
be resurrected. This resurrection
will follow an order according to Paul (I Cor. 15:23).
But every man in
his own order: Christ the first
fruits; afterward they that are his at his coming.
1.
NOTE: They that are Christ’s will come forth
first.
2.
At this point, those that
are Christ’s who are still alive will be caught up with them (I Thess.
4:16-17).
For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord.
C.
Christ is coming back for
those who are His.
1.
He knows exactly who they
are (II Tim. 2:19a).
Nevertheless the
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that
are his.
2.
Because of the cross, we can
be part of that number. To secure
this blessing, we must do His will (Matt. 7:21).
No every one
that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
IV. WE CAN HAVE FRIENDS FOR
EVER
A.
On June 20, 1996, my father
passed from this life. And, just
last week, one of our good friends from
B.
Will I ever see these people
again? And, will I see others, who
were my friends and relatives, who have died?
C.
Yes. Because of the cross, friends can be for
ever and ever.
1.
Death is a separation point,
but not the end of the relationship.
2.
Because of the cross, a
great reunion day awaits.
D.
Two key
verses:
1.
Ecclesiastes
12:7
Then shall the
dust return to the earth as it was:
and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
2.
I
Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not
have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as other which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him.
a.
The dead have not ceased to exist.
Their spirits are alive and well in a place beyond human
sight.
b.
When the Lord comes again, He will bring these individuals back with
Him.
c.
Their spirits will enter into a glorified body that will live
forever.
d.
In the day of the Lord, we will reunite with all that have gone
before. As friends, we will dwell
with them forever.
CONCLUSION
A.
The cross has brought us and
will bring us many blessings.
B.
Do we really believe in and
hold to these blessings?
C.
If so, let’s also share them
with others (I Cor. 2:1-2).
And I, brethren, when I cam to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.