Themes of the Cross

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18; Luke 9:23

The themes associated with Christ’s cross extend to ours as well.

Love

  • God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)
  • Jesus laid down His life for us (John 10:17-18)
  • Our following Christ & enduring all things must be done in love (John 14:15; Matthew 22:36-40)

Grace

  • Man’s condition before the cross (Romans 5:8)
  • The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23); sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:2)
  • Grace makes life & reconciliation possible
  • Atonement — Jesus’ sacrifice has delayed the wrath of God, giving us time to repent (Romans 2:4-6)

Faith

  • In the garden, Jesus prayed that the Father’s will be done (Matthew 26:39,42,44)
  • Jesus committed His spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46)
  • Look to the example of Jesus, the author of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Obedience

  • Jesus showed an example of obedience on the cross (Hebrews 5:8) — He took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8)
  • We are told to take up our cross (Luke 9:23) — requires obedience
  • We will be saved if we obey (Hebrews 5:9)
  • Obedience is the natural result of true faith (James 2:17-19)