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 Calvary, the grave is not the end (Heb. 2:14-15).

 

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 Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

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 Brookland, Arkansas died of brain cancer.

 

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.