The Glorious Redemption: The Power of the Cross
Summary
The essence of our faith and the cornerstone of our salvation is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is not merely His incarnation, His perfect life, or His teachings that make Him the Lord of redemption, but His sacrificial death. This act of ultimate obedience and humility is the focal point of God's plan for redemption, preordained before the foundation of the world. The cross is not a tragedy or an accident; it is the most glorious event in history, where Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain to atone for our sins.
The cross represents the highest point of Jesus' obedience to His Father. He submitted entirely to God's will, even unto death, demonstrating the ultimate act of humility and sacrifice. In Philippians 2, we see Jesus, who was equal with God, humbling Himself to become a servant and die on the cross. This act of obedience is unparalleled and is the reason He is exalted above all.
Moreover, the cross is the lowest point of His humiliation. Jesus, who shared in the glory of God, descended to the depths of human suffering and shame. He endured the scourging, the crown of thorns, and the crucifixion, becoming a curse for us. This profound humiliation was necessary for the grand atonement, where He bore the punishment for our sins.
The cross is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, where the sacrificial system pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The blood of animals could not truly atone for sin, but Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Through His blood, we are redeemed, forgiven, and reconciled to God.
Finally, the consequences of His work on the cross are profound. Jesus has purchased for us pardon, forgiveness, and the right to be the people of God. We are no longer under the dominion of sin and death but are citizens of His kingdom, free to worship and serve Him. Moreover, He has secured for us a future glory, where we will reign with Him in a renewed creation. The cross is the assurance of our ultimate victory and the triumph of God's redemptive plan.
Key Takeaways:
1. The cross is the focal point of redemption, not an accident or tragedy, but the most glorious event in history. It is through His death that Jesus becomes the Lord of redemption, fulfilling God's preordained plan. [24:26]
2. Jesus' obedience to the Father reached its zenith at the cross, where He submitted entirely to God's will, even unto death. This act of humility and sacrifice is the reason for His exaltation. [25:49]
3. The cross represents the lowest point of Jesus' humiliation, where He endured suffering and shame to become a curse for us. This profound act was necessary for the grand atonement of our sins. [28:09]
4. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. His blood, unlike that of animals, truly atones for sin, redeeming and reconciling us to God. [31:38]
5. The consequences of Jesus' work on the cross are profound, securing for us pardon, forgiveness, and the right to be God's people. We are freed from sin's dominion and assured of future glory. [38:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:47] - The Lord of Redemption
- [22:24] - Worthy to be Praised
- [23:13] - The Glorious Cross
- [24:26] - Preordained Plan
- [24:58] - Obedience to the Father
- [26:08] - Submission in Gethsemane
- [27:00] - Lowest Point of Humiliation
- [28:58] - Grand Atonement
- [30:03] - Fulfillment of Prophecies
- [31:38] - The Ultimate Sacrifice
- [33:13] - The Lamb of God
- [35:01] - Redemption for All
- [36:33] - Pardon and Forgiveness
- [38:22] - Freedom and Glory
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:5-11
2. Hebrews 2:9
3. Isaiah 53:4-7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 2:5-11, what specific actions did Jesus take to demonstrate His obedience and humility? How does this passage describe His exaltation? [25:35]
2. In Hebrews 2:9, what is the significance of Jesus being made "a little lower than the angels"? How does this relate to His suffering and death? [24:10]
3. Isaiah 53:4-7 describes the suffering of the Messiah. What imagery is used to convey the depth of His suffering and the purpose behind it? [31:56]
4. The sermon emphasizes that the cross was not an accident but a preordained plan. How does this align with the Old Testament prophecies mentioned in the sermon? [30:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Philippians 2:5-11 speaks of Jesus' humility and obedience. How does this passage challenge the common understanding of power and leadership in today's world? [25:35]
2. The sermon describes the cross as the "most glorious event in history." How does this perspective change the way one might view suffering and sacrifice in their own life? [23:13]
3. In what ways does the imagery of Jesus as the "Lamb of God" in Isaiah 53 and the sermon highlight the uniqueness of His sacrifice compared to the Old Testament sacrificial system? [32:15]
4. The sermon states that Jesus' death on the cross secured our pardon and forgiveness. How does this assurance impact a believer's daily life and relationship with God? [35:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Philippians 2:5-11. How can you emulate Jesus' humility and obedience in your daily interactions, especially in situations where you have authority or influence? [25:35]
2. The sermon emphasizes the cross as a preordained plan. How does understanding God's sovereignty in Jesus' sacrifice affect your trust in His plans for your life, especially during difficult times? [24:26]
3. Consider the profound humiliation Jesus endured as described in the sermon. How can this understanding help you face your own moments of shame or embarrassment with grace and faith? [28:09]
4. The sermon highlights the cross as the focal point of redemption. How can you keep the significance of the cross central in your spiritual practices and daily decisions? [23:49]
5. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross purchased our freedom from sin's dominion. What specific steps can you take this week to live out this freedom in a way that honors God? [38:22]
6. The sermon mentions that Jesus' work on the cross assures us of future glory. How does this promise of future glory influence your perspective on current challenges or sufferings? [40:44]
7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' death has made believers "citizens of His kingdom." How can you actively participate in God's kingdom work in your community or church this week? [38:05]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as the Pinnacle of Redemption
The cross is not a mere historical event or a tragic accident; it is the most glorious event in history, where Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death, becomes the Lord of redemption. This act was preordained by God before the foundation of the world, signifying the focal point of His redemptive plan. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and justice, where Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain to atone for our sins. It is through His death that we find the cornerstone of our faith and the assurance of our salvation. [24:26]
"For he was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the cross as the pinnacle of redemption change the way you view your own salvation and relationship with God today?
Day 2: Obedience and Humility at the Cross
Jesus' obedience to the Father reached its zenith at the cross, where He submitted entirely to God's will, even unto death. This act of humility and sacrifice is unparalleled and is the reason for His exaltation. In Philippians 2, we see Jesus, who was equal with God, humbling Himself to become a servant and die on the cross. His obedience is a model for us, calling us to submit to God's will in our own lives, trusting in His perfect plan and purpose. [25:49]
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name." (Philippians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: The Depths of Jesus' Humiliation
The cross represents the lowest point of Jesus' humiliation, where He endured suffering and shame to become a curse for us. He, who shared in the glory of God, descended to the depths of human suffering, enduring the scourging, the crown of thorns, and the crucifixion. This profound act of humiliation was necessary for the grand atonement, where He bore the punishment for our sins, demonstrating the depth of His love and commitment to our redemption. [28:09]
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" (Galatians 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt humiliated or ashamed. How can Jesus' willingness to endure humiliation for your sake bring you comfort and strength in those moments?
Day 4: The Ultimate Sacrifice Fulfilled
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. Unlike the blood of animals, which could not truly atone for sin, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Through His blood, we are redeemed, forgiven, and reconciled to God. This fulfillment of prophecy underscores the depth of God's love and the completeness of His redemptive plan, inviting us to live in the freedom and grace that His sacrifice provides. [31:38]
"For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.'" (Hebrews 10:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice change the way you approach God in prayer and worship today?
Day 5: The Consequences of the Cross
The consequences of Jesus' work on the cross are profound, securing for us pardon, forgiveness, and the right to be God's people. We are no longer under the dominion of sin and death but are citizens of His kingdom, free to worship and serve Him. Moreover, He has secured for us a future glory, where we will reign with Him in a renewed creation. The cross is the assurance of our ultimate victory and the triumph of God's redemptive plan. [38:22]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity as a citizen of God's kingdom today, proclaiming His excellencies in your daily interactions and choices?
Quotes
The essence of our faith and the cornerstone of our salvation is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is not merely His incarnation, His perfect life, or His teachings that make Him the Lord of redemption, but His sacrificial death. This act of ultimate obedience and humility is the focal point of God's plan for redemption, preordained before the foundation of the world. [00:21:30]
The cross is crucial and focal because it was the highest point in his obedience to his father. He came to do his father's will and he carried out his father's will perfectly in every respect. The secret of Our Lord is his humbling of himself to his father's will, his sacrifice of himself self and of his will. [00:24:58]
The cross is the focal point in all his work; it is the most glorious point of all. It is indeed a Wondrous Cross on which the prince of Glory died. He came into the world in order to go there. He was made a little lower than the angels as Hebrews 2:9 puts it for the suffering of death that he by the grace of God might taste death for every man. [00:23:13]
The cross was determined before the foundation of the world. It is the crucial point in God's Plan of Redemption. He becomes the master of redemption because of what he did upon the cross. What then is this? Why do I say that the cross is crucial and is focal? I can but give you some thoughts to meditate upon today and for the rest of your lives. [00:24:26]
The cross represents the lowest point of his humiliation. Jesus, who shared in the glory of God, descended to the depths of human suffering and shame. He endured the scourging, the crown of thorns, and the crucifixion, becoming a curse for us. This profound humiliation was necessary for the grand atonement, where He bore the punishment for our sins. [00:27:00]
It is there he makes the grand atonement. It is there that God sets him forth as a propitiation for sins through faith in his blood. And that is why in the imagery of this chapter we see him as a lamb that was slain. You see, John is told that to the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the book. [00:28:58]
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. His blood, unlike that of animals, truly atones for sin, redeeming and reconciling us to God. Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. Sin is a terrible thing in the sight of God. The justice of God demands the punishment of sin, and the wages of sin is death. [00:31:38]
The blood of bulls and of goats, the blood of lambs is not sufficient. It covers our sin, but it's prophetic only, and here is the Fulfillment. He comes, says John, God's lamb. Here is God's sacrifice, the lamb, great God the son, yes, but humbled, born as a babe, living as a man. Here he is, Lamb of God. [00:33:13]
The consequences of Jesus' work on the cross are profound, securing for us pardon, forgiveness, and the right to be God's people. We are freed from sin's dominion and assured of future glory. He has bought for us pardon and forgiveness. We are all sinners in the sight of God, and we are all guilty, and the wrath of God is upon us all by nature. [00:36:33]
He has purchased for us the right to be the people of God. Listen to the way it's put in the PSAL: thou were slain and has redeemed us to God by thy blood and has made us unto to our god Kings and Priests. This is very wonderful. God's original man, Adam, he fell, and all his posterities form. [00:38:22]
We are no longer under the dominion of Satan. We have been taken out of his kingdom, translated into the kingdom of God's dear son. We are no longer slaves of the world, slaves of evil, slaves of death, slaves of hell. Whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die. He has purchased for us not only the privilege of being the people of God but he has purchased for us freedom as the people of God. [00:38:22]
He has purchased for us a glory which is to come, and they shall reign on the earth. Not only forgiveness, not only rebirth, not only relationship to God, not only Liberty, but ultimate glorification. We shall reign with him, we shall judge the world, we shall judge Angels. We shall share with him in his glorious Reign. [00:39:52]
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