The Divine Necessity of the Cross and Salvation

 

Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the word "must" as found in John 3:14-15, where Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the necessity of His crucifixion. The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is divided into two parts: earthly things, which refer to the necessity of being born again, and heavenly things, which pertain to the divine nature and mission of Jesus. The sermon emphasizes that understanding the gospel requires a spiritual rebirth, as human wisdom and philosophy are insufficient to grasp the divine truths.

The necessity of Jesus' crucifixion is not an accident or merely a result of human actions. It was predetermined by God before the foundation of the world. The Old Testament prophecies and the sacrificial system foreshadowed this event, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God. The crucifixion is not just a demonstration of God's love but a fulfillment of divine justice. God's holiness and justice demand that sin be punished, and Jesus' death on the cross satisfies this requirement, making forgiveness possible.

The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane highlights the gravity of His impending sacrifice. It was not merely physical death that caused His distress but the spiritual burden of bearing the sins of humanity and experiencing separation from God. This underscores the necessity of the cross, as there was no other way for humanity to be reconciled to God. The sermon concludes with an invitation to look to Jesus in faith, just as the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent for healing, assuring that those who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Key Takeaways:

- The necessity of Jesus' crucifixion is rooted in divine purpose, not human accident. It was foreordained by God as the means of salvation, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and the sacrificial system. This underscores the depth of God's plan and the seriousness of sin. [12:36]

- Understanding the gospel requires spiritual rebirth. Human wisdom and philosophy are inadequate to comprehend divine truths. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus highlights the need for a new spiritual perspective to grasp the reality of God's kingdom. [03:48]

- The cross is a demonstration of both God's love and justice. God's holiness demands that sin be punished, and Jesus' sacrifice satisfies this requirement, making forgiveness possible. This reveals the profound nature of God's character, balancing love and justice. [31:28]

- Jesus' agony in Gethsemane reflects the spiritual burden of bearing humanity's sins. It was not just physical death that caused His distress but the separation from God and the weight of divine wrath. This highlights the cost of redemption and the necessity of the cross. [29:28]

- Faith in Jesus is the key to salvation. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, those who look to Jesus in faith will be saved. This simple act of trust in His sacrifice assures forgiveness and eternal life. [46:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to the Sermon
- [00:44] - The Importance of "Must"
- [01:18] - Context of Jesus and Nicodemus
- [02:14] - Earthly and Heavenly Things
- [03:48] - Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth
- [05:06] - Jesus' Divine Mission
- [06:14] - The Purpose of Jesus' Coming
- [07:24] - The Method of Salvation
- [08:28] - The Stumbling Block of the Cross
- [12:36] - The Divine Necessity of the Cross
- [16:02] - Old Testament Foreshadowing
- [22:17] - Jesus' Purpose and Mission
- [28:37] - The Agony in Gethsemane
- [31:28] - The Necessity of the Cross
- [39:35] - The Meaning of the Cross
- [46:29] - Faith and Salvation
- [53:05] - Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 3:14-15
- Genesis 3:15
- Isaiah 53:4-6

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up" in John 3:14? How does this relate to the story of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness? [00:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the necessity of Jesus' crucifixion as being part of God's predetermined plan rather than an accident? [12:36]
3. What is the significance of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane as described in the sermon? How does this highlight the necessity of the cross? [29:28]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual rebirth, as discussed in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, challenge our reliance on human wisdom and philosophy? [03:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the balance between God's love and justice through the crucifixion of Jesus? [31:28]
3. How does the sermon explain the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus' crucifixion? What does this reveal about the continuity of God's plan? [17:20]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the necessity of spiritual rebirth. How can you cultivate a new spiritual perspective in your daily life to better understand God's kingdom? [03:48]
2. The sermon emphasizes the predetermined nature of Jesus' crucifixion. How does this understanding affect your view of God's sovereignty in your own life? [12:36]
3. Consider the balance of God's love and justice as demonstrated on the cross. How can you apply this understanding in your relationships with others, especially when dealing with conflict or forgiveness? [31:28]
4. Jesus' agony in Gethsemane underscores the cost of redemption. How can you honor the sacrifice of Jesus in your daily actions and decisions? [29:28]
5. The Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent. In what ways can you actively "look to Jesus" in faith during times of personal struggle or doubt? [46:29]
6. How does the sermon challenge you to view sin and its consequences in light of God's holiness and justice? What changes might you need to make in your life to align with this perspective? [33:00]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in Jesus' sacrifice for forgiveness and eternal life. What steps can you take this week to deepen your faith in this area? [46:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Purpose in Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Jesus was not a mere consequence of human actions but a divine necessity, foreordained by God as the means of salvation. This event was prophesied in the Old Testament and foreshadowed through the sacrificial system, emphasizing the depth of God's plan and the seriousness of sin. The crucifixion serves as a profound reminder of God's sovereignty and the intentionality behind His redemptive work. Understanding this divine purpose helps believers appreciate the gravity of sin and the lengths to which God went to reconcile humanity to Himself. [12:36]

Isaiah 53:10-11 (ESV): "Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities."

Reflection: How does understanding the predetermined nature of Jesus' crucifixion change your perspective on God's plan for your life, especially in times of suffering or confusion?


Day 2: Spiritual Rebirth for Gospel Understanding
To truly grasp the gospel, one must experience a spiritual rebirth. Human wisdom and philosophy fall short in comprehending divine truths, as illustrated in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. This rebirth involves a transformation of the heart and mind, enabling believers to perceive the reality of God's kingdom. It is a call to move beyond intellectual understanding and embrace a new spiritual perspective that aligns with God's purposes. [03:48]

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely on human wisdom rather than seeking spiritual insight? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your mind today?


Day 3: The Cross as Love and Justice
The cross is a powerful demonstration of both God's love and justice. God's holiness demands that sin be punished, and Jesus' sacrifice satisfies this requirement, making forgiveness possible. This act reveals the profound nature of God's character, balancing love and justice in a way that offers redemption to humanity. Understanding this balance helps believers appreciate the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin's consequences. [31:28]

Psalm 85:10 (ESV): "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other."

Reflection: How does the balance of love and justice in the cross challenge your understanding of God's character? In what ways can you reflect this balance in your relationships with others?


Day 4: The Agony of Gethsemane
Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane reflects the immense spiritual burden of bearing humanity's sins. It was not just the anticipation of physical death that caused His distress but the separation from God and the weight of divine wrath. This moment underscores the cost of redemption and the necessity of the cross, highlighting the depth of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's reconciliation with God. [29:28]

Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV): "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can Jesus' experience in Gethsemane encourage you to trust in God's presence and purpose during difficult times?


Day 5: Faith as the Key to Salvation
Faith in Jesus is the key to salvation, much like the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent. This simple act of trust in His sacrifice assures forgiveness and eternal life. Believers are invited to look to Jesus in faith, recognizing that salvation is not earned but received through trust in His redemptive work. This faith transforms lives and offers hope for eternity. [46:29]

Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to "look to Jesus" in faith today? How can you actively place your trust in Him in a specific area of your life where you need His guidance and strength?

Quotes

"Now it is it seems to me of vital importance that we should consider these two verses and this one word in particular in their context and setting we remember in other words and must remember that these words were spoken to this men Nicodemus this master this ruler in Israel who came to our Lord You Remember by Night seeking an interview with him because our Lord spoke to this man in particular here and he had a very definite object in his mind as he spoke to him and if we are truly to understand these two verses we must bear that context and that setting in our minds." [00:01:08]

"A man must understand at the very beginning that when he comes to this Christian message this Christian faith he is beginning to look at something that is entirely different from anything he's ever known before it's no use coming to the gospel with a philosophical mind the Apostle Paul made that abundantly clear I take it in that section which we read at the beginning your man can be a great philosopher he can be learned in it he can understand it but it's no use his bringing that to this it'll be a hindrance to him if he relies upon it." [00:02:38]

"Now said our Lord that's your condition the whole world is sinful before God and I have come into the world because of that and in order to save and then he points out that his method of saving is you see by being crucified even so must the son of man be left lifted up crucified on a tree raised up there in crucifixion that's my method of saving well as I pointed out there is nothing to the Natural mind that seems quite so strange and so monstrous as this but that is what our Lord tells Nicodemus." [00:07:11]

"The word must tells us that our Lord's death upon the cross was not just an accident now to many people it was just an accident what I mean is this they think that it was something that happened slly and entirely as the result of the blindness and the cruelty of the men who put him to death you know they say this world has often done things like that the world has often rejected and crucified had its own greatest benefactors and supremely it did it in the case of the Son of God." [00:12:57]

"The scriptures themselves make this perfectly plain and clear that men The Men Who Cru ified Jesus Christ we only the agents they rarely in a sense were not responsible for it they did it but they didn't know what they were doing what do I mean well I mean something like this if you read the second chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles in which you'll find an account of a sermon that was preached by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem you will find that Peter said this." [00:14:23]

"Surely I have quoted enough to establish this point it is the teaching of the scripture everywhere that this thing which happened on calvary's Hill was predetermined and for ordained before a single man ever breathed in this world before there ever was a world oh no this is not merely something done by men it's not the greatest tragedy of History it's a great something in the purpose and the mind of God let me prove it you still further begin reading your Old Testament and go through it and this is what you'll find." [00:17:14]

"Why did Christ die upon the cross he died upon the cross I say because he came into the world in order to go there he set his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem knowing what was going to happen but why did he do that why did he die upon the cross I say he died upon the cross because it was absolutely essential it was unavoidable it had to happen why had it to happen what is the meaning of this tremendous must why does he say here that this thing has got to take place it must take place why this compulsion why this absolute necessity." [00:27:42]

"The agony of his soul was so great that literally there came out drops of blood from his holy forehead and fell to the ground what's the meaning of the agony what's the trouble ah he was shrinking says someone from physical death my dear friend you mustn't say that if you say that you're making him smaller and less than the martyrs the great Martyrs of the centuries you're making him a smaller person than Latimer and Ridley and krmer and those those other holy reformers whose martyrdom we've recently been commemorating they didn't shrink like that." [00:29:21]

"This death of his had to take place and it had to take place as it did take place because and I don't hesitate to say this forgiveness was impossible without it even so must the son of man be lifted up it must I've got to go through this why I say in the name of God that if that hadn't happened there would be no forgiveness for any one of us and we'd all be in our sins now and to all eternity that's rather a strong statement isn't it says someone it is a very strong statement but it's a very scriptural statement." [00:31:17]

"God hates sin and God has made it abundantly plain and clear that sin must be punished he a sinor he tells and even the garden if you eat of that fruit dying you shall die the wages of sin is death not only physical but separation from the life of God Eternal predition out of the presence of God God says so and he goes on saying it he's a righteous God is's a holy God we don't like as I said last Sunday night the term the wrath of God because we think ofth as something impulsive something uncontrolled the wrath of God isn't there." [00:33:13]

"God must remain just as well as the justifier of the ungodly God cannot play fast and loose with his own Holiness and God's way of forgiving sins is a holy way and it's a just way and it is a righteous way he satisfies his own law he satisfies his own nature there is no one who can point a finger at him that he's gone back on what he said he made it clear in the law what he thought of sin what he do knew about Sin and in Christ and him crucified he's done it." [00:42:55]

"Even so must the son of men be lifted up he came from Heaven to die upon that cross that was the real reason of his coming if he hadn't done that there would be no hope for any man oh my dear friend as I leave you shall I ask you the question had you realized that had you realized that you're perishing by Nature do you know God man was meant to know God and did know God if you don't know God you're perishing it's a proof of it do you know the Lord Jesus Christ if you don't you're perishing." [00:44:01]

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Transcript
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