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THE CROSS: A SIGN OF OUR SINS

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.

Introduction:

a. the CROSS REMINDS ONE OF one of the most significant events in human history, the death of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

b. But the cross has other reminders, For example, the cross is a reminder of the sins of mankind.

I. SIN: THE CAUSE OF THE CROSS:

A. The sin offering

 II Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1. Jesus the atonement for our sins

 I John 2:2

 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2. clearly sin is the reason the cross was necessary.

3. Had there been no sin, no sin offering required.

B. The Lamb - the sacrifice

 Revelation 5:6

 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth:

1. Hebrews 10:10-14 “one sacrifice for sins forever”

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By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

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But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

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From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

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For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

2. Jesus the Lamb

 John 1:29

 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

3. The cross reminds of sin and the perfect sacrifice.

II. SOME SIN FACTS:

A. What is sin?

1. such a simple definition

 I John 3:4

 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

2. Sin is a violation of the law of God.

3. His law is revealed in scripture - break His law, ignore His law, omit to do His law, and you have sinned.

B. What does sin do?

1. it separates you from God

 Isaiah 59:1,2

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Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

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But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

2. It makes you dead in God’s sight

Ephesians 2:1

 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

 Romans 5:12

 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

3. it denies one of hope

 Ephesians 2:12

 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

C. How extensive is sin?

1. Romans 3:23

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For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

 Romans 3:9,10

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What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

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As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

2. Each accountable person, except Jesus, has been affected by the guilt of sin.

3. Without the cross, the sin offering, that guilt could not be resolved and hell would be our destination.

D. What is the fate of sinners without the cross?

1. Ezekiel 18:4,32

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Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

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For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel’s answer: death

2. Romans 6:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Sin - without the cross - results in eternal condemnation

3. People all around us are dead ... and destined for the final wages of sin

III. THE CROSS IS THE ANSWER TO SIN:

A. II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. - God has no pleasure in “death”

1. Ezekiel 18:30-32

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Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

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Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

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For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

2. God must demand penalty for sin.

3. A loving God made a provision for payment of penalty because He has no pleasure in death.

B. Jesus given in our place

 John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life:

1. I Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I Peter 3:18

 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2. Jesus paid the penalty - became the payment by the sacrifice of the cross

3. Without the cross, no atonement – eternal death would be certain.

C. But each must accept benefits of the sacrifice:

1. In Old Testament personal identification/union with the sin offering was required.

2. Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

3. Romans 6:3