Liturgics

Liturgics - 6

SSamuel 2024. 1. 8. 14:42

V. What message should we listen from God?

What message should we preach to believers?

(I am in a position to preach the word of God. What word should I preach?)

We must convey the core truths of the Bible.

The 1st Chapter. What is the meaning of the cross?

23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Corin 1: 23-24)

Many people today wear crosses as accessories, such as earrings or necklaces.

Some people also own them as talismans to prevent curses or use them as religious symbols.

However, originally in the Roman world, the cross was a scaffold for executioners, meaning death.

If sentenced to death by crucifixion, the criminal was beaten severely with a leather whip attached to an iron bar and then had to carry his cross to his execution site.

When they reach the execution site, their hands and feet are nailed to the cross and they are stabbed with spears, causing them to bleed and die slowly in pain.

Jesus, who was sinless, was tried in front of humans (John 19:16), carried his cross up to Golgotha Hill, and was finally crucified along with two death row inmates (Luke 23:33).

Jesus' sin certificate was written, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" (John 19:19).

After being crucified, Jesus suffered horribly for about six hours and died with his last words being “I have finished it all” (John 19:30).

And the Roman soldiers stabbed Jesus in the side with spears and blood poured out, confirming his death (John 19:34).

The Jews considered being hanged on a tree like this the greatest curse (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13).

However, the three crosses standing on Golgotha Hill symbolize the truth of Christianity.

On the other hand, the thief's cross is a cross of disbelief and curse.

And on the other hand, the thief's cross is the cross of faith and salvation.

And the cross of Jesus in the middle symbolizes the gospel of salvation.

After Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came and the disciples began to testify the gospel of the cross that Jesus accomplished on the cross.

However, for the Jews who were waiting for the Messiah who would defeat their enemies with transcendent power and save them from political pressure, they could not believe that Jesus of Nazareth, an incompetent person who could not overcome the curse of death on the cross, was the Messiah and savior.

Also, to the Greek people who sought to solve life's problems through worldly philosophical conduct and wisdom, the disciples' gospel testimony that Jesus on the cross was the savior was very foolish.

And to the Romans who pursued material wealth and power, the gospel of the cross was indifferent.

However, after hearing the testimony of the disciples who risked their lives to spread the gospel of salvation by Jesus who was hung on the cross, there were people whose spiritual eyes were opened and who accepted Jesus who died on the cross as the Messiah.

Those people were so moved by Jesus’ saving grace that they praised and glorified the event of Jesus’ cross, saying, “The cross, the cross is infinite glory.”

Hymn: Jesus, keep me near the cross

1. Jesus, keep me near the cross

There a precious fountain,

Free to all a healing stream

Flows from Calvary's mountain.

(Refrain) In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river. (Amen)

2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me

There the Bright and Morning Star

Shed its beams around me.

3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadow o'er me.

4. Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

Hoping, trusting ever,

Till I reach the golden strand

Just beyond the river.

The Jews thought the cross was a cursed stumbling block, the Greeks thought it was foolish, and the Romans were indifferent.

Yes. However, those who believed in the gospel of the cross accepted the event of the cross as God's mystery of salvation, God's power of salvation, and wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Even now, the same response to the gospel of the cross occurs.

The Bible reveals that the gospel of the cross is the secret of God's salvation that selects those who are saved, and that not everyone can know it (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).

Only a spiritual person whose spiritual eyes are open after receiving the Holy Spirit can realize the gospel of the cross, which is the mystery of God's salvation, and be saved (1 Corinthians 2:12, 12:3, Romans 8:9).

The blood of Jesus on the cross is the core of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:3).

The blood of Jesus on the cross is the content of the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:23, 2:2, Galatians 6:14).

The secret of God’s salvation is power and wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The mystery of God's salvation is the standard for distinguishing between physical and spiritual people (1 Corinthians 2:12, Romans 8:9).

It has significance as a symbol of Christianity.

There is nothing in Christianity and the Bible apart from the precious blood of Jesus on the cross.

However, the problem with Christianity today is that the gospel of the cross has become corrupted and the spirit of the cross has been lost.

What is the meaning of the cross of Jesus erected in the middle of the three crosses that stood on Golgotha Hill, which is the core of the Bible and the Christian gospel?

1. Cross of Righteousness(Isa 45:21, Mtt 27:46)

Jesus' cross on Golgotha shows the justice of a holy God who does not tolerate sin and judges it.

Thus, Jesus received the judgment for human sin and cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, revealing God’s justice, terrible judgment, and the seriousness of human sin.

Hymn: On a hill far away

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it come day for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it come day for a crown.

3. In the old rugged cross, stained, with blood so divine,

A Won drous beauty I see;

For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died

To pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it come day for a crown.

4. To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true,

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it come day for a crown.

Whenever we think of the cross where Jesus was executed, we must think of the God of justice who never tolerates sin and judges it, and we must try to live a holy life that fears and shuns sin, that is, a life of sanctification.

Thus, Peter, who deeply understood the meaning of the gospel of the cross, testified, “But just as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Hymn: Lord I want to be more holy

Lord, I want to be more holy

In-a my heart, in-a my heart.

Lord, I want to be more holy in-a my heart.

In-a my heart, in-a my heart,

Lord, I want to be more holy in-a my heart.

Therefore, believers who realize the gospel of the cross by the grace of the Holy Spirit cannot help but live a life of holy sanctification before the God of justice.

And when we encounter injustice, if we look to Jesus, who bore the cross and endured to the end (Hebrews 12:2), we have no choice but to entrust everything to God, who judges righteously, and persevere (1 Peter 2:3, Revelation 13:10).

Only the cross of Jesus will protect you from sin and the righteous judgment of God. There will definitely be a day when God will judge with righteousness, so no one will be wronged, not only in heaven but also in hell.

This proof is the cross.

1) I am a God who executes justice and provides salvation, and there is no one besides me (Isaiah 45:21).

2) But just as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:15).

3) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10, Acts 17:31).

2. Cross of Love(Rom 5:8, 1st John 4:10)

The cross Jesus bore shows God’s immeasurable love for sinners (Romans 5:8).

The love that God showed on the cross of Jesus refers to God's agape love that is arbitrary, unconditional, and sacrificial.

Because God loved sinners, He took responsibility for human sins and proved His love by dying on the cross (1 John 4:10).

Hymn: Have you been to Jesus

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?