The Reason For The Cross

The Reason for The Cross (Romans 3:21-26) I. The cross was a A. The Bible

demonstration proclaims

of God’s righteousness. His righteousness.

Psa 50:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah Psa 97:6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. B. The Bible proclaims God’s

justice

.

Deu 32:3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! Deu 32:4 "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. The word just in the Hebrew: tsaddîyq tsad-deek' 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one’s cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful Part of Speech: adjective Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! The word just in the Greek: dikaios dik'-ah-yos 1) righteous, observing divine laws 1a) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God 1b) in a narrower sense, rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them C. The

law

of God shows His righteousness and justice.

Isa 42:21 The LORD was pleased, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. Isa 51:4 "Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 1. God

demands

that we keep His law perfectly.

Deu 27:26 "'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.' Gal 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Jas 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 2. Those that break God’s law are under His

wrath

.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Rom 4:15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. Gal 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 3. Every man has broken

God’s law.

Rom 3:10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; Job 15:14 What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? Ecc 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Sin is more than just breaking a command. It is failing to glorify God, (Rom. 3:23). The reason why God’s commands are broken is because of our lack of desire to glorify Him. We are bound by a lie. The lie is “sin brings more pleasure than God.” Because we believe this lie we fail to do what we were created to do. We were created to glorify God. 1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Everything we do is to be to be done for the glory of God, and yet we all break this command every day. The Bible says that it is faith that pleases God: Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Yet if we choose sin over God because we believe the lie that sin will bring us more pleasure is this faith. No! And no one can please God without faith. So sin is more than just breaking specific commands, sin is a failure to glorify God. II. The cross of Jesus Christ met the righteousness.

demands

of God’s

A. The sins of the Old Testament saints were punished

on the cross.

Rom 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, Heb 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. B. The sins of everyone who comes to Christ were cross.

punished

on the

Isa 53:11 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. Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, Salvation to be complete must be by free favour. The saints, when they come to die, never conclude their lives by hoping in their good works. Those who have lived the most holy and useful lives invariably look to free grace in their final moments. I never stood by the bedside of a godly man who reposed any confidence whatever in his own prayers, or repentance, or religiousness. I have heard eminently holy men quoting in death the words, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." In fact, the nearer men come to heaven, and the more prepared they are for it, the more simply is their trust in the merit of the Lord Jesus, and the more intensely do they abhor all trust in themselves. If this be the case in our last moments, when the conflict is almost over, much more ought we to feel it to be so while we are in the thick of the fight. If a man be completely saved in this present time of warfare, how can it be except by grace. While he has to mourn over sin that dwelleth in him, while he has to confess innumerable shortcomings and transgressions, while sin is mixed with all he does, how can he believe that he is completely saved except it be by the free favour of God?1 III. The work of Christ on the cross accomplished a for His people.

full

salvation

Mat 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 1

Charles Spugeon

Luk 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Joh 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. “It is finished” in the Greek: τελεω tel-eh'-o 1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end 1a) passed, finished 2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.) 2a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command 2b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil 3) to pay 3a) of tribute John Gill comments on the phrase “It is finished.” he said, it is finished; that is, the whole will of God; as that he should be incarnate, be exposed to shame and reproach, and suffer much, and die; the whole work his Father gave him to do, which was to preach the Gospel, work miracles, and obtain eternal salvation for his people, all which were now done, or as good as done; the whole righteousness of the law was fulfilled, an holy nature assumed, perfect obedience yielded to it, and the penalty of death endured; hence a perfect righteousness was finished agreeably to the law, which was magnified and made honourable by it, and redemption from its curse and condemnation secured; sin was made an end of, full atonement and satisfaction for it were given; complete pardon procured, peace made, and redemption from all iniquity obtained; all enemies were conquered; all types, promises, and prophecies were fulfilled, and his own course of life ended: the reason of his saying so was, because all this was near being done, just upon finishing, and was as good as done; and was sure and certain, and so complete, that nothing need, or could be added to it; and it was done entirely without the help of man, and cannot be undone; all which since has more clearly appeared by Christ's resurrection from the dead, his entrance into heaven, his session at God's right hand, the declaration of the Gospel, and the application of salvation to particular persons:

A. Christ died for actual sin, not just to make salvation possible. In other words, the cross is not just an example of what God thinks of sin, Jesus Christ was a real substitute, absorbing the wrath of God for every one of His elect. Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Isa 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Isa 53:9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Isa 53:10 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. Isa 53:11 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. Isa 53:12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. 1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. Heb 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. The word bear in the Greek: anapherō an-af-er'-o 1) to carry or bring up, to lead up 1a) men to a higher place 2) to put upon the altar, to bring to the altar, to offer 3) to lift up one’s self, to take upon one’s self 3a) to place on one’s self anything as a load to be carried 3b) to sustain, i.e. their punishment IV. The work of the cross can only be applied by faith

, (Rom. 3:25).

Joh 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. Joh 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. The word faith in the Greek: πιστευω pist-yoo'-o AV-believe 239, commit unto 4, commit to (one’s) trust 1, be committed unto 1, be put in trust with 1, be commit to one’s trust 1, believer 1; 248 Notice the connection between believe and obey in John 3:36.

The KJV translates the verse this way: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The second “believeth in the KJV is the word: απειθεω ap-i-theh'-o AV-believe not 8, disobedient 4, obey not 3, unbelieving 1; 16 Genuine faith in Christ is more than just acknowledging that the gospel is true. I would like to mention four things about faith: 1. Just acknowledging that the gospel is true is no different than the faith of demons. Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! 2. In order for faith to be genuine, it must be embraced by the mind and the heart. Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 3. Genuine faith always results in a changed life. 2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 4. Genuine faith seeks the eternal, rather than the temporal, (John 6). A. Salvation from sin is a

free gift

.

Rom 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Intro: The Bible makes it very clear that you and I are responsible creatures. We are responsible for our actions and our choices. The Bible also tells us that we are also responsible for our salvation. We have a responsibility to choose whether or not we will serve the LORD. Jos 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. But the Bible is also very clear that it is God who has the final say in our salvation. Yes we are responsible for our decisions, yes we must make a decision about whether or not we are going to follow Christ, but it is God who has the final say. Mar 13:20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. Joh 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love Eph 1:5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Eph 1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Rom 11:5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. IV. The cross of Christ removes all boasting and gives complete glory

to God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. A. Our faith in Christ is a

gift

.

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, Joh 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. The NIV translates verse 13 like this: “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Joh 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. Joh 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Joh 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Joh 6:64 But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) Joh 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." Php 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, B. Our ability to

repent

comes from God.

2Ti 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 2Ti 2:25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2Ti 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Act 11:18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life." Act 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Conclusion: So what was the reason for the cross? The reason for the cross was so that God’s justice would be satisfied in order that He may forgive sinners. I opened with Spurgeon, let me close with Spurgeon from a sermon he preached on May 25,1859. I. First, then, HOW HAS JUSTICE BEEN PUT ASIDE? or rather, HOW HAS IT BEEN SO SATISFIED THAT IT NO LONGER STANDS IN THE WAY OF GOD'S JUSTIFYING THE SINNER? The one answer to that is, Justice has been satisfied through the substitution of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. When man sinned the law demanded that man must be punished. The first offense of man was committed by Adam, who was the representative of the entire race. When God would punish sin, in his own infinite mind he thought of the blessed expedient, not of punishing his people, but of punishing their representative, the covenant head, the second Adam. It was by one man, the first man, that sin entered into the world, and death by sin. It was by another man, the second Adam, who is the Lord from heaven, it was by him that this sin was borne; by him its punishment was endured; by him the whole wrath of heaven was suffered. And through that second representative of manhood, Jesus, the second Adam, God is now able and willing to forgive the vilest of the vile, and justify even the ungodly, and he is able to do so without the slightest violation of his justice. For, mark, when Jesus Christ the Son of God suffered on the tree, he did not suffer for himself. He had no sin, either natural or actual. He had done nothing whatever that could bring him under the ban of heaven, or subject his holy soul and his perfect body to grief and pain. When he suffered it was as a substitute. He died—"the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Had his sorrows been personally deserved they would have had no efficacy in them. But inasmuch as for sins not his own he died to atone; inasmuch as he was punished, not for any guilt that he had done or could do, but for the guilt incurred by others, there was a merit and an efficacy in all that he suffered, by which the law was satisfied, and God is able

to forgive.