Why Jesus Died On The Cross
Introduction
(John 12:31–32):
Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world… And I, if I am
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” The cross is
God’s answer to sin, death, and despair. At Calvary we learn why He
died: that we might live through Him, live for Him, and live with
Him.
The Cross:
God’s Power for Real Life
Some stumble at the cross and call it an offense (Galatians 5:11) or
a curse (Galatians 3:13). Scripture presents it as God’s drawing
power and the secret of true life (John 12:31–32; John 11:25; John
14:6). The One through whom all things were made (John 1:3) became
our sacrifice, so the world could find life in His name.
He Died So We
Might Live Through Him
“In this the love of God was manifested… that we might live through
Him” (1 John 4:9–10). Sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:1–2). Christ
is the propitiation—He satisfies divine justice and opens the way
back to life. Consider three resurrections: Jairus’s daughter (Luke
8:40–56), the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17), and Lazarus (John
11). Death has no respect for age or schedule; Christ overruled all
three. Ephesians 2:1–7 applies that power to the soul: outside
Christ we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” but God makes us alive
together with Christ. Eternal life is located “in His Son” (1 John
5:11), and “every spiritual blessing” is found “in Christ”
(Ephesians 1:3). Salvation is in no other name (Acts 4:12). Jesus
said He “must” suffer, be killed, and rise again (Matthew 16:21).
That necessity gives sinners real life through Him.
He Died So
We Might Live For Him
The cross claims our allegiance. “He died for all, that those who
live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and
rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15). The prince of this world is
cast out (John 12:31). Our direction becomes single: Christ is
Master and Lord. Paul gloried only “in the cross” (Galatians 6:14).
Our aim is to be “well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). Jesus
insists on undivided loyalty (Matthew 6:24), reordered affections
(Matthew 6:21), and first-place priority for His kingdom (Matthew
6:33). God provides what we need as we seek Him first.
He Died So
We Might Live With Him
God appoints salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, “who died for
us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him”
(1 Thessalonians 5:9–10). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians
3:20). The faithful of old looked for a city with foundations, whose
builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9–16). Christ prepares that
place and promises to receive His people to Himself (John 14:1–3).
Scripture holds the sure hope of a future with no hunger, no heat,
no tears, and no death (Revelation 7:16–17; 21:4). The cross secures
that home.
Why Jesus Died On The Cross
Sermon Outline:
-
Introduction: John
12:31–32—Lifted up to judge evil and draw all people.
-
I. The
Cross: God’s Power for Real Life
-
II. He
Died So We Might Live Through Him
-
God’s
love and propitiation (1 John 4:9–10; Isaiah 59:1–2).
-
Three
resurrections: Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:40–56); widow’s son
(Luke 7:11–17); Lazarus (John 11).
-
From
death to life in Christ (Ephesians 2:1–7; 1 John 5:11;
Ephesians 1:3; Acts 4:12; Matthew 16:21).
-
III. He
Died So We Might Live For Him
-
Cross-shaped purpose (2 Corinthians 5:14–15; John 12:31).
-
Glory in
the cross; pleasing Christ (Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians
5:9).
-
Undivided loyalty and first things first (Matthew 6:24, 21,
33).
-
IV. He
Died So We Might Live With Him
-
Live
together with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10).
-
Citizens
of heaven, seeking the city of God (Philippians 3:20;
Hebrews 11:9–16).
-
Christ’s
promise and the tearless future (John 14:1–3; Revelation
7:16–17; 21:4).
-
Conclusion: Choose life through
Christ, live for Christ, and set hope on living with Christ.
Call to
Action:
Hear the word (Romans 10:17). Believe the gospel of Christ (John
3:16). Repent of sins (Luke 13:3). Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans
10:9–10). Be baptized into His death and raised to new life (Romans
6:3–4). If you have wandered, confess and return; He is faithful and
just to forgive (1 John 1:9). Walk in the light, and His blood keeps
cleansing (1 John 1:7).
Key
Takeaways:
-
The cross
reveals God’s love and draws the world to Christ (John 12:31–32;
1 John 4:9–10).
-
Outside
Christ there is spiritual death; in Christ there is life
(Ephesians 2:1–7; 1 John 5:11).
-
Disciples
live for the One who died and rose (2 Corinthians 5:14–15;
Galatians 6:14).
-
Loyalty to
Christ reorders priorities and provides what we need (Matthew
6:24, 21, 33).
-
The goal is
life with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10; Philippians
3:20; John 14:1–3; Revelation 21:4).
Scripture
Reference List:
-
John
12:31–32—Lifted up; judgment and
drawing power.
-
Galatians 5:11; 3:13—The offense
of the cross; “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”
-
John
11:25; 14:6; 1:3—Resurrection and
life; the way, truth, and life; Creator.
-
1 John
4:9–10—God’s love; propitiation
through the Son.
-
Isaiah
59:1–2—Sin separates from God.
-
Luke
8:40–56; 7:11–17; John 11—Jairus’s
daughter; widow’s son; Lazarus raised.
-
Ephesians 2:1–7—From death in sin
to life in Christ.
-
1 John
5:11; Ephesians 1:3; Acts 4:12—Life
and every spiritual blessing in Christ; no other name.
-
Matthew
16:21—Jesus foretells His
suffering, death, and resurrection.
-
2
Corinthians 5:14–15, 9—Live for
Him; aim to please Him.
-
John
12:31—Prince of this world cast
out.
-
Galatians 6:14—Glory in the
cross.
-
Matthew
6:24, 21, 33—One Master; heart
and treasure; kingdom first.
-
1
Thessalonians 5:9–10—Live
together with Him.
-
Philippians 3:20—Citizenship in
heaven.
-
Hebrews
11:9–16—Seeking the better,
heavenly country.
-
John
14:1–3—“I go to prepare a place
for you.”
-
Revelation 7:16–17; 21:4—No more
hunger, heat, tears, or death.
-
Romans
10:17; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9–10; Romans 6:3–4; 1 John 1:7, 9—Obedience
to the gospel; walking in the light; forgiveness.
Prepared by Robert Moss |
The
church of Christ
