We are grateful recipients of God's abundant grace for the forgiveness of sin and for everyday life and blessings. Yet at no time in all of human history did God so display His grace as He did the day Jesus Christ died at Calvary. Dr. Stanley discusses the essential connection between the grace of God and the cross of Christ.
Sermon Outline
With the cross, God revealed an extraordinary answer to an impossible problem. At the same time, He showed us the great depth of His love and favor for all. In this week’s message, Dr. Stanley looks at the connection between the cross and God’s generosity.
Key Passage: Romans 3:21-27
Supporting Passages: Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4; John 3:14; John 12:32; Acts 2:22-23; Romans 3:10; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:10
The greatest need in everyone’s life is the grace of God.
► “Apart from the cross, you and I have no promise of anything.”
The cross displays our need of grace. Scripture tells us that …
We have all sinned. No one is good (Rom. 3:23, 10).
Claiming we haven’t sinned amounts to calling God a liar and deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8, 10).
God hates sin because it separates Him from us, the ones He loves.
Because of His holiness, God must judge sin—and the judgment for sin is a death sentence (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:14; Rom. 6:23).
The cross displays the cost of grace. We must remember …
God cannot act in contradiction to His holy nature.
The cross is the solution to the conflict between God’s holiness and mankind’s sinfulness; it is the pinnacle of His expression of grace (Rom. 3:24-25).
Being justified is a gift: God pays the cost—not us (v. 24).
Justification declares us righteous before God. He makes us holy and sinless in His eyes (Eph. 1:4).
This was possible only through Christ’s death on the cross (Col. 1:22). He bore our sins in His own body (1 Pet. 2:24).
Grace brings reconciliation. We’re brought back into right relationship with God.
The cross is the solution to the conflict between God’s holiness and mankind’s sinfulness; it is the pinnacle of His expression of grace (Rom. 3:24; Mark 10:45).
It brings propitiation. The sacrifice made on our behalf satisfies God’s wrath (1 John 2:1-2; 4:10).
► “We don’t need to offer anything but faith in Christ.”
The cross displays the nature of grace. It is exceptional because …
It is God’s kindness toward humanity, freely given to us, despite the fact we do not deserve it.
Blood sacrifice of animals did not totally remove sin from the Hebrews, but in kindness, God withheld judgment until Christ was crucified (Rom. 3:25).
On the cross, Jesus paid all of humanity’s sin debt—past, present, and future.
It was the only way God’s justice could prevail without destroying us (v. 26).
Faith is all that is required for us to receive this gift (v. 27).
Jesus had to die for us, but God then raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:22-23).
The cross displays the universal offer of grace. No one is left out because …
Jesus is the sacrifice of atonement, even for those who lived previously.
The cross made it possible for all to be forgiven. (See John 3:14-16.)
Through His sacrifice, Christ drew all people to Himself (John 12:32).
After Watching
Sit down with a journal and write down words that come to mind when you consider the cross and what Jesus accomplished on it. Circle the ones that stand out most to you and use them to write a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
Did you know that the Last Supper is also known as the “Eucharist”? It is a word that comes from the Greek term eucharisteó (a combination of eu, meaning “good” and charis, meaning “grace” or “thanks”). May we all be truly thankful for this amazing gift of grace.
