Revealing God's Glory: The Power of the Cross
Summary
In this message, I explore the profound revelation of God's glory through creation and, most significantly, through the cross of Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, emphasizes that God's eternal power and divine nature are evident in the world around us, leaving humanity without excuse. The beauty and order of creation reflect God's handiwork, yet it is in the cross that the fullness of God's glory is most vividly displayed. While nature reveals God's power and godhead, it is the cross that unveils His righteousness, justice, holiness, love, mercy, and wisdom.
The cross is the ultimate manifestation of God's attributes. It is where His righteousness and justice are upheld, as sin is punished in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. This act demonstrates that God cannot overlook sin, for He is holy and just. Yet, the cross also reveals God's immense love and mercy, as He willingly sacrifices His Son for a sinful world. This is the profound mystery of the cross: God's justice and love meet in perfect harmony.
Furthermore, the cross is a testament to God's wisdom. It solves the divine dilemma of how a holy God can forgive sin without compromising His justice. Through the cross, God provides a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him, showcasing His unparalleled wisdom and grace. The cross is not only the glorification of the Father but also of the Son, who willingly embraced His mission to redeem humanity.
The cross is the pivotal moment in history, where the judgment of the world and the defeat of Satan are accomplished. It is the turning point where the kingdom of God is established, and the power of the devil is broken. The cross is the center of God's redemptive plan, drawing all people to Christ, the Savior of the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Creation as a Reflection of God's Glory: The natural world, with its beauty and order, is a testament to God's power and divine nature. However, it is only through the cross that we see the full spectrum of God's attributes, including His righteousness and justice. The cross reveals that God cannot overlook sin, for He is holy and just. [23:31]
2. The Cross as the Ultimate Revelation of God's Love: While nature hints at God's love, it is the cross that fully displays it. God's love is so profound that He gave His only Son to die for a sinful world. This sacrificial love is the heart of the gospel, showing that God's mercy and compassion are boundless. [31:49]
3. The Wisdom of God in the Cross: The cross is the solution to the divine dilemma of justice and mercy. God's wisdom is displayed in how He reconciles His holiness with His desire to forgive. Through the cross, God provides a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him, showcasing His unparalleled wisdom and grace. [37:44]
4. The Cross as the Defeat of Satan: The cross is the turning point in history where the power of the devil is broken. It is the moment when the kingdom of God is established, and the prince of this world is cast out. The cross is the center of God's redemptive plan, drawing all people to Christ, the Savior of the world. [46:29]
5. Glorying in the Cross: To glory in the cross is to recognize our sinfulness and helplessness, acknowledging that only through Christ's sacrifice can we be saved. It means turning away from the world's values and embracing the life of discipleship, following Christ and seeking to honor God above all else. [49:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:18] - Creation Declares God's Glory
- [24:48] - The Cross Reveals God's Attributes
- [26:31] - Righteousness and Justice at the Cross
- [28:02] - The Necessity of Punishment for Sin
- [30:50] - Love and Mercy Displayed
- [32:55] - The Wisdom of God in Redemption
- [35:20] - The Problem of Sin and Forgiveness
- [37:44] - God's Solution Through the Cross
- [40:07] - The Cross Glorifies the Son
- [42:49] - The Cross as a Deliberate Act
- [45:26] - The Cross as the Judgment of the World
- [46:29] - The Defeat of Satan
- [48:11] - The Glory of the Cross
- [49:09] - Glorying in the Cross
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:19-20
2. John 3:16
3. Ephesians 2:4-7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 1:19-20, how does creation reveal God's eternal power and divine nature? How does this leave humanity without excuse? [23:31]
2. In the sermon, what attributes of God are most vividly displayed through the cross, and why is the cross considered the ultimate manifestation of these attributes? [26:17]
3. How does the sermon describe the cross as a solution to the divine dilemma of justice and mercy? What role does God's wisdom play in this solution? [37:44]
4. What does the sermon say about the significance of the cross in the defeat of Satan and the establishment of God's kingdom? [46:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's justice and love as demonstrated on the cross? Why is this considered a profound mystery? [28:02]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the cross is a turning point in history? How does this relate to the concept of the kingdom of God being established? [45:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the glory of God being revealed through the cross? What does it mean for the cross to be the center of God's redemptive plan? [39:34]
4. What does the sermon imply about the personal implications of glorying in the cross? How does this affect one's values and lifestyle? [49:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you have seen God's glory in creation. How did that experience impact your understanding of God? How can you seek to notice God's handiwork in your daily life?
2. The sermon emphasizes the cross as the ultimate revelation of God's love. How can you personally embrace and reflect this sacrificial love in your relationships this week? [31:49]
3. Consider the wisdom of God in reconciling justice and mercy through the cross. How can you apply this understanding of divine wisdom to a current dilemma or decision in your life? [37:44]
4. The sermon describes the cross as the defeat of Satan and the establishment of God's kingdom. How can you live in a way that reflects the victory of the cross in your daily battles against temptation? [46:29]
5. What does it mean for you to glory in the cross? How can you demonstrate this in your actions and priorities, especially when faced with the values of the world? [49:09]
6. The sermon challenges us to recognize our sinfulness and helplessness. How can acknowledging these truths lead to a deeper reliance on Christ's sacrifice? What steps can you take to cultivate this reliance? [50:28]
7. How can you actively turn away from the world's values and embrace a life of discipleship, following Christ and seeking to honor God above all else? What specific changes might this require in your life? [53:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Creation Reflects God's Power and Divine Nature
The natural world is a testament to God's eternal power and divine nature. The beauty and order of creation are not just random occurrences but are reflections of God's handiwork. While the world around us reveals God's power, it is through the cross that we see the full spectrum of His attributes, including His righteousness and justice. The cross reveals that God cannot overlook sin, for He is holy and just. This understanding leaves humanity without excuse, as the evidence of God's glory is both around us and in the redemptive work of Christ. [23:31]
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)
Reflection: As you observe the world around you today, what aspects of creation remind you of God's power and divine nature? How can you let these reminders deepen your appreciation for His work in your life?
Day 2: The Cross as the Ultimate Revelation of God's Love
While nature hints at God's love, it is the cross that fully displays it. God's love is so profound that He gave His only Son to die for a sinful world. This sacrificial love is the heart of the gospel, showing that God's mercy and compassion are boundless. The cross is where God's justice and love meet in perfect harmony, demonstrating that He is both holy and merciful. This profound mystery invites us to reflect on the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to redeem humanity. [31:49]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the depth of God's love demonstrated on the cross. How does this sacrificial love challenge you to love others in your daily life, especially those who may be difficult to love?
Day 3: The Wisdom of God in the Cross
The cross is the solution to the divine dilemma of justice and mercy. God's wisdom is displayed in how He reconciles His holiness with His desire to forgive. Through the cross, God provides a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him, showcasing His unparalleled wisdom and grace. This act of redemption is not only a testament to God's wisdom but also a call for us to trust in His plan, even when we do not fully understand it. [37:44]
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's wisdom today? How can you actively seek His guidance and understanding in those areas?
Day 4: The Cross as the Defeat of Satan
The cross is the turning point in history where the power of the devil is broken. It is the moment when the kingdom of God is established, and the prince of this world is cast out. The cross is the center of God's redemptive plan, drawing all people to Christ, the Savior of the world. This victory over evil invites us to live in the freedom and hope that Christ's sacrifice provides, knowing that the ultimate battle has already been won. [46:29]
"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that Christ has defeated Satan on the cross impact your perspective on spiritual battles you face today? What steps can you take to live in the victory and freedom that Christ has won for you?
Day 5: Glorying in the Cross
To glory in the cross is to recognize our sinfulness and helplessness, acknowledging that only through Christ's sacrifice can we be saved. It means turning away from the world's values and embracing the life of discipleship, following Christ and seeking to honor God above all else. This call to glory in the cross challenges us to live lives that reflect the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, prioritizing His kingdom over our own desires. [49:09]
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you glory in the cross today, choosing to prioritize Christ's kingdom over worldly values? How can this shift in focus influence your decisions and actions this week?
Quotes
The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are L seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead so that they are without excuse because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened. [00:23:31]
It is there and there a learn that you see all the attributes of God meeting together and Shining gloriously look at that cross what do you see well the first thing I see is the righteousness of God and the justice of God and the Holiness of God how do I see that well who is this upon the cross this is the Son of God. [00:26:31]
God has said that sin is to be punished God has stated that he States it in the Ten Commandments he States it in many other places God is a holy God he can't wink at sin he can't pretend he hasn't seen it people say oh God's a god of love and if you tell him you're sorry it's all right but it isn't. [00:28:02]
When I look at his son hanging upon that cross what I see above everything else when I first look is the Justice the righteousness the Holiness of God he has said the soul that sinth it shall die the wages of sin is death death and you know we are living in a moral Universe. [00:30:50]
God so loved the world so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son gave him to that that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but everlasting life God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us do you want to know anything about the love of God. [00:31:49]
God's love and mercy and compassion desire to forgive the justice and the righteousness and the Holiness say we must be honored how can these things be reconciled and Men Can't reconcile men in his Fallen perverted condition thinks that the love of God somehow does this but it doesn't. [00:35:20]
Here you see the wisdom of God he has found a way and this is the way he will send his only begotten son into the world he will make him to be born of a woman he will make him take on human nature he will make him to become a man and here in his own son become men he has found the way out. [00:37:44]
Now is the Judgment of this world the whole fate of the world is being determined settled sealed there there by that death upon the cross here is one who can play a part in that in the crucial central part there's his glory for you he's Son of God he's son of men he is savior mediator Redeemer. [00:45:26]
Now is the Judgment of this world now shall the prince of this world be cast out do you know what that means it means this the Moment Men accepted the temptation of the of Satan the Wy serpant man not only fell but he became the slave of the devil and the devil became the God of this world. [00:46:29]
The man who glories in the cross is the man who sees that he is a vile a hopeless foul helpless Sinner and then it means this that he realizes that the one who died on that cross on calvary's hell is the son of man the Son of God and that he and he alone can save us. [00:49:09]
You realize something further and that is that you're completely helpless that you can do nothing at all about saving yourself or delivering yourself it means that you say nothing about all your good deeds all your righteousness and all your morality indeed it means that you must look at them and say with the Apostle Paul I count it all but dung. [00:50:00]
He knows that the world will not honor him but he knows that God will and he that serveth me my father will honor him and the one thing this men is after is to be honored of God to know God to love God to serve God to glorify God and eventually when he does have to leave this world to look into the face of God. [00:55:21]
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