Sermon Archives (July 22, 2001):

The Triumph of the Cross, Part 1

Good afternoon brethren.   The text for today’s message is Galatians 6:14.   The theme of today’s message is “The Triumph of the Cross”, as expanded from this text.   Because the material is central to our beliefs as Christians, this message is a two parter.   The first part this week.  The second part next week.   Paul writes,   “But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”   Father, let every believer hear this message today and the world as well.   Let us celebrate the triumph of the Cross, in Jesus name we pray, and all God’s people said, “Amen,”

The Triumph of the Cross is the central theme of the Word of God.   If there were only one sermon that I could ever give, then let it be this, on the Triumph of the Cross. Paul states, (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV)  “For I am  determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”   Let us be of that mind today.  The idea of the cross did not begin with the book of Matthew.  It began in Genesis 3.   God the Father said that the seat of the woman, being Jesus,[1] “shall crush” (say that word for me ‘shall crush’, say it again ‘crush’) “the head” of the serpent.”  Under the Law, men sacrificed lambs, bulls, and turtledoves predicated on their financial ability.   The Bible says (Hebrews 9:22 KJV) that  “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” of sin.   But every sacrifice looked toward the cross where the Lamb of God would die for the sins of the world.  

When John the Baptist came preaching the first day he introduced Jesus Christ with these words (John 1:29 NKJV), "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”   The only thing you can do with a lamb is to kill it.   John was declaring Christ’s reason for coming to the earth was to die.   The Bible tells us (Matthew 16:21), “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and … be killed.”  That was his mission when Jesus came to this earth.

We are saved because of the blood of the cross.   John proclaims, (Revelation 5:9 NKJV) that Christ “has redeemed us to God by Your blood “ The first evidence that you have been to the cross is that you change.   You change.   You change.  You become (2 Corinthians 5:17)  “a new creature” in Christ Jesus. “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  You have a new life.  You have new speech.  You have new friends.  You have a new name written down in glory.  You are going to live forever in the New Jerusalem.  Your friends are different.  Your life is exciting. 

Works do not save you.   Taking courses at seminary will not save you.   Being a good person will not save you.  The blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary saves you.  

You are not commoners.   When Christ from Calvary proclaimed, (John 19:30) “It is finished.”  all of you became royalty.  You are God’s kings and prince being redeemed by his son’s blood.   The royal blood of heaven now flows in your veins.   Wherever former President Clinton went, he had only the Secret Service to protect him.   But where you go, angels of heaven are before and behind you with swords drawn, because God is the giver of your life and the lover of your soul.

Because of the Triumph of the Cross, demons tremble and run for cover when you pray.  (Revelation 12:11 KJV) “And they overcame him (the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb.”   The cosmic power of heaven is released when you whisper (1 Corinthians 12:3) “Jesus is Lord”.    Say those words with me, “Jesus is Lord.”  Louder!   Let’s say it again:  “Jesus is Lord.”   When you say those words, every demon in LA County starts running for the Tiawana, Mexicana line.  “Oh, Chi-woo-woo” those Demons shriek, “They’re praying again.  Run for cover. Hide us Satan. Calvary’s blood is upon their brow.”