Why the cross?

One of the most common pieces of jewelry on the planet...

Maybe you own one or two…
or ten.

Why the cross?

Jesus’ death on the Roman cross was foretold long before it ever happened.
In fact, many aspects of His Passion were described in detail centuries before the day came.

  beaten… bruised…

  led like a lamb to the slaughter…

  forsaken…betrayed…alone…

  It had to happen.

  But why??

It’s a pretty piece of jewelry but the cross was horrible. 
Jesus took all the sin of the world... from throughout all history…
on Himself there.

murder, abuse, rape, envy, lust,
shooting rampages, senseless beatings, adultery,
incest, theft, gossip, molestations, drive-by shootings,
verbal abuse, bullying, exploitation, child abuse,
gang violence, addiction, date rape,

everything harmful & hurtful...

The events of Jesus crucifiction are recounted in the Bible and in the writings of many historians of that day.
No question that it is a historical event...
our present calendar year of 2007 AD reflects His life and death.

But why the Cross?????

God created the earth and placed Adam and Eve in the midst of it,
to enjoy its beauty and to live in harmony with Him. Genesis1-2


Mankind listened to Satan and disobeyed God. 
That first sin marked the human race and changed our nature. Genesis 3


(don’t have to convince you of that… 
Babysitters, you all know you don’t have to teach a child to do wrong. 
The job is to teach them to do what’s right…
… what are we talking about… we all have to make an effort to do what’s right and good)

The fact is that SIN separated mankind from God.
The Bible tells us ‘all have sinned and missed the mark with God.’ Romans 3
It isn’t a stretch to admit that we’ve all sinned.

He wanted to deal with that sin,
once
and
for all. 

So, He sent His only Son to earth for that express purpose…
(that's why we celebrate Christmas)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son that whoever would believe on Him would not perish but have eternal life.”

Eternal life with God requires that we be free from sin.
Think about it.  God is good, through and through.  Pure.  Heaven is a place with no more tears, sorrows or harm.
Eternal happiness.  It only stands to reason that fear, hate, abuse, murder, adultery, addiction aren’t going to be there.
He wants us free from the things that hurt us.
So sin has NO place there.

so...

why

the cross??

It was all about you!

You can live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ because of what He did at the cross.

You can be free from sin and be secure in your relationship with God.

Free from any addictions, habits, hurtful relationships...

You can have peace in your life.
No more running.
No more fear.
No more lies.
No more trying to be someone you're not.

Turn your life over to God.
Trust Him.

The cross can be more than just a piece of jewelry.
It can be a sign of your faith in Jesus Christ… faith in your new life.

God,
I'm sorry for the wrong things I've done.
Forgive me.
I believe Jesus paid the price for my sin at the cross.
I receive that forgiveness.
I turn my life over to You.
Amen.

You won’t be sin-free because of what you do.
You can only be sin-free because of what Jesus did for you.
He'll help you to walk it out, day by day.

so,
why the cross?

It was all about you.