CROSS POINT
The cross means you can have forgiveness of the past.
The cross means you can have God’s power to live in the present.
The cross means you can have hope for the future.
The message of the cross is a message of God’s saving power in at least four ways.
The message of the cross is a message of weakness but also of power.
The message of the cross is a message of foolishness but also of wisdom.
The message of the cross is a messenger of losing but also of being found.
The message of the cross is a message of stumbling but also of standing.
The victory of the cross is a victory over sin.
The victory of the cross is a victory over death.
The victory of the cross is a victory over the devil.
Jesus’ victories in His earthly ministry were a foreshadowing of His victory on the cross.
Below are Scriptures which support the statements listed above.
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (I Corinthians 15:17)
“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!” (Romans 5:10)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.” (I Corinthians 1:18)
“In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power.” (II Corinthians 13:4a)
“So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:10)
“For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.” (I Corinthians 1:19)
“On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (I Corinthians 2:7-8)
“Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8)
“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.’” (Luke 9:23-24)
“For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
“I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling.” (John 16:1)
“but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles” (I Corinthians 1:23)
“and a stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this.” (I Peter 2:8)
“Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.” (I Corinthians 15:1)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
“Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, ‘What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.” (Mark 1:23-26)
“If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.” (Luke 11:20-22)
“The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works.” (I John 3:8b)
“Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” (John 12:31-32)
“And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
