Preaching the Cross: Our Sole Foundation of Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The True Foundation of Salvation

Our salvation is grounded solely in Christ's work on the cross, not in our own efforts or faith. This truth must be preached to ourselves daily to prevent slipping into a faith-plus-works mentality. When we rely on our own deeds or even our faith as a basis for salvation, we miss the essence of the gospel. The cross is a constant reminder that it is Christ's sacrifice, not our actions, that secures our place with God. This understanding liberates us from the burden of trying to earn our salvation and anchors us in the grace that is freely given through Jesus. [02:27]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts for assurance of salvation? How can you remind yourself daily of the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross?

Day 2: Christ's Invitation to the Unworthy

The story of the thief on the cross exemplifies that salvation is not about religious credentials but about Christ's invitation. His assurance of paradise was based solely on Jesus' word, not on any merit of his own. This narrative highlights the profound truth that our worthiness is not determined by our religious achievements or moral standing but by Christ's grace and invitation. It challenges us to trust in Jesus' promise and to extend that same grace to others, recognizing that no one is beyond the reach of God's love. [02:27]

Luke 23:42-43 (ESV): "And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Reflection: Who in your life might feel unworthy of God's love? How can you share the message of Christ's invitation with them today?

Day 3: The Perils of Self-Reliance

Without the constant reminder of the cross, we may begin to trust in our own experiences and efforts, leading to despair or arrogance. The cross keeps us grounded in the truth of our dependence on Christ. When we rely on ourselves, we either fall into despair, realizing our inadequacy, or become arrogant, overestimating our righteousness. The cross is the antidote to both extremes, reminding us of our sinfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. It calls us to humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely dependent on Jesus. [02:27]

Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength? How can you shift your focus back to trusting in Christ's sufficiency?

Day 4: The Cross as the Remedy for the Human Condition

The cross addresses both the depths of despair and the heights of arrogance by reminding us of our sinfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. It is the only true remedy for the human condition. The cross humbles us by revealing our need for a Savior and lifts us by assuring us of our salvation through Christ's sacrifice. It is a daily reminder of God's love and grace, calling us to live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing we are fully accepted and forgiven in Christ. [02:27]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How does the message of the cross challenge your current mindset or attitude? What steps can you take to embrace its truth more fully in your daily life?

Day 5: Anchored in Grace, Not Works

Martin Luther's insight that much of the Christian life is outside of us emphasizes that our salvation is not based on our works but on Christ's achievements. This liberates us from self-reliance and anchors us in grace. Understanding that our salvation is secured by Christ's work frees us from the pressure to perform and allows us to rest in God's grace. It encourages us to live out our faith with gratitude and humility, knowing that our identity and worth are found in Christ alone. [02:27]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How does knowing that your salvation is a gift from God change the way you view your relationship with Him? What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom of His grace?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, it is crucial to continually preach the cross to ourselves. Without this constant reminder, we risk slipping into the mindset that our salvation is based on faith plus works. This is a dangerous path that leads us away from the true foundation of our salvation, which is solely in Christ. The question often posed, "If you were to die tonight and were seeking entry into heaven, what would you say?" highlights this issue. If our answer begins with "I"—because I believed, because I have faith, because I am continuing—we have missed the mark. The only correct answer is in the third person: because He.

Consider the thief on the cross. He had no religious credentials, no Bible study, no baptism, and yet he was assured a place in paradise. Why? Because the man on the middle cross said he could come. This illustrates the profound truth that our salvation is not based on our knowledge or deeds but on Christ's invitation and sacrifice.

If we neglect to remind ourselves of the gospel daily, we may start to rely on our own experiences and efforts, which are tainted by our fallen nature. This can lead to either despair, as we realize our inadequacy, or arrogance, as we overestimate our righteousness. The cross of Christ is the antidote to both these extremes. It humbles us by reminding us of our sinfulness and lifts us by assuring us of our salvation through Christ's sacrifice.

Martin Luther aptly noted that much of the Christian life is outside of us, meaning our salvation is not dependent on our works or professions but on what Christ has accomplished. This truth liberates us from the burden of self-reliance and anchors us in the grace of God.

Key Takeaways

1. plus-works mentality. [02:27]
2. The Thief on the Cross: The story of the thief on the cross exemplifies that salvation is not about religious credentials but about Christ's invitation. His assurance of paradise was based solely on Jesus' word, not on any merit of his own.

3. The Danger of Self-Reliance: Without the constant reminder of the cross, we may begin to trust in our own experiences and efforts, leading to despair or arrogance. The cross keeps us grounded in the truth of our dependence on Christ.

4. The Cross as the Antidote: The cross addresses both the depths of despair and the heights of arrogance by reminding us of our sinfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. It is the only true remedy for the human condition.

5. Luther's Insight: Martin Luther's insight that much of the Christian life is outside of us emphasizes that our salvation is not based on our works but on Christ's achievements. This liberates us from self-reliance and anchors us in grace.

** [02:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:27] - The Importance of Preaching the Cross
[02:27] - The Old Fort Lauderdale Question
[02:27] - The Thief on the Cross
[02:27] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[02:27] - The Cross as the Antidote
[02:27] - Luther's Insight on Salvation
[02:27] - Conclusion

Sermon Clips

Without the preaching of the cross, without preaching the cross to ourselves all day and every day, we will very, very quickly revert to faith plus works as the ground of our salvation. So that to go to the old Fort Lauderdale question, if you were to die tonight and you were getting entry into heaven, what would you say? You answer that, and if I answer it in the first person, we've immediately gone wrong. Because I, because I believed, because I have faith, because I am this, because I am continuing. Loved ones, the only proper answer's in the third person, because he—because he. [00:00:00]

Think about the thief on the cross. What an immense—I can't wait to find that fellow one day to ask him. How did that shake out for you? Because you were cussing the guy out with your friend, you'd never been in a Bible study, you never got baptized, you didn't know a thing about church membership, and yet, you made it! You made it! How did you make it? That's what the angel must have said, you know, like, what are you doing here? Well, I don't know. What do you mean you don't know? Well, because I don't know. [00:00:49]

Well, you know, excuse me, let me get my supervisor, I'll get the supervisor, Ranger. So, we have just a few questions for you. First of all, are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith? The guy said, I've never heard of it in my life. And what about—let's just go to the doctrine of Scripture immediately. This guy's just staring, and eventually in frustration. He says, on what basis are you here? And he said, the man on the middle cross said, I can come. Now, that's the, that is the only answer. That is the only answer. [00:01:37]

And if I don't preach the gospel to myself all day and every day, then I will find myself beginning to trust myself, trust my experience, which is part of my fallenness as a man. If I take my eyes off the cross—I can then give only lip service to its efficacy, while at the same time living as if my salvation depends upon me. And as soon as you go there, it will lead you either to abject despair or a horrible kind of arrogance. [00:02:27]

And it is only the cross of Christ that deals both with the dreadful depths of despair and the pretentious arrogance of the pride of man that says, you know, I can figure this out and I'm doing wonderfully well. No, because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free for God the just is satisfied to look on him pardon me." That's why Luther says most of your Christian life is outside of you, in this sense that we know that we're not saved by good works. [00:03:03]

We're not saved as a result of our professions, but we're saved as a result of what Christ has achieved. [00:03:41]

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