Message Outline - "THE GREATEST LOVE: The Cross of Love" - 3-14-21

 "THE GREATEST LOVE: The Cross of Love" - 3-14-21

INTRODUCTION

The Greatest Love

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭15:9-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  THE CROSS CALLS US TO SUFFER

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:21-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A.  Suffer through service

B.  Suffer through agape love

C.  Suffer through self-sacrifice

II.  THE CROSS CALLS US TO CHANGE

In the April 7, 2016, edition of his Turning Point Daily Devotional, David Jeremiah writes: “As a young man, Anthony Rossi emigrated from Italy. He sailed into New York Harbor, but his plans were to move to the South and become a farmer. One day, he visited the library at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue and found a book on agriculture. He sat down to read it at one of the long tables.

Another book was sitting there, titled The Life of Christ. Rossi, who knew little about Christ, began reading it and was transfixed. The next day, he purchased a Bible and became engrossed in its message.

Rossi became a Christian and a farmer. He’s remembered today as the citrus king of Florida and the founder of Tropicana orange juice. He became a leading Christian businessman in the 20th century, a man whose legacy far exceeds the “100 percent pure squeezed sunshine” that made him famous.

There are lots of books in the library, but only the life of Christ truly can change us. Only the Bible can produce lasting fruit in our lives. God’s message can transform you into someone you never could become on your own. He brings true sunshine to your soul.”

“As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:26-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  The cross should make us evaluate our destiny.

B.  The cross should cause us to repent.

C.  The cross should point us to the one who died on the cross.

III.  THE CROSS CALLS US TO A NEW WAY OF LIFE

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  The cross demands a new allegiance.

B.  The cross demands a new behavior.

C.  The cross demands a new community.

CONCLUSION

Theodore Ferris tells a story of a group of travelers in Africa. They come to a leper colony, and it was not a pretty picture. The suffering was inhuman, the disease was rampant, often affecting those trying to give care. The travelers noticed a nun in the dirt and filth, trying to create a little bit of cleanliness. She was binding the horrible repulsive wounds of a leper, and one of the travelers looked upon that scene and remarked, "Oh, I wouldn't do that for $10,000."

The nun turned her head and looked up at the traveler and said, "I wouldn't either." 

(Gary Carver, “The Tentmaker’s Word,” Preaching, Jan-Feb 1996)

The cross calls us to suffer and change and live a new life.  

CHALLENGE

"Keep Kenwood Connected" has been a reminder to stay connected with your church family since January.  In February, we added "Connecting Others to Jesus" as a way to have a conversation with someone about Jesus.  This month we add "Share the Greatest Love."  The challenge this week is to make a deliberate choice to do something you do not want to do for someone else.  That is love.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.