Dr. George Ragsdale, Pastor * West Marion Baptist Church * Morriston/Ocala, Florida

“Why the Cross?” 1 Peter 3:18

I. The Subsitutionary PURPOSE of the Cross (v 18)
A. We are the UNJUST this verse of Scripture refers to.
1. We are sinful by BIRTH.
2. We are sinful by NATURE.
3. We are sinful by PRACTICE.
4. We are sinful by CHOICE.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
B. God is HOLY and cannot overlook sin.
C. Sin brings a PENALTY, and sin must be punished.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
D. Not only is God holy, but God is also LOVING.
E. There must be someone who PAYS the penalty for sin.
F. God PROPHESIED the cross and substitution in the Old Testament.
1. Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 17:19; 22:1-14)
17-Heb.11.19" class="scriptRef">Hebrews 11:17-19 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
2. Mt. Moriah is the same mountain on which Jesus was crucified.
3. Isaac, in OBEDIENCE to his father, submitted to being bound and placed upon the altar.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
4. Jehovah-Jireh means “The God Who ill Provide.”
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
5. The PASSOVER lamb is a picture of substitution. (Exodus 12:1-13)
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The Suffering PASSION of the Cross
A. The EMOTIONAL suffering of Jesus
Luke 22:42-44
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
1. What was in the cup that Jesus spoke of in this passage?
a. The POLLUTION of sin
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
b. The PUNISHMENT of sin - Isaiah 53:10a, b Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:
Romans 8:32a He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
B. The PHYSICAL suffering of Jesus
John 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
1. The purpose of a scourging was to beat the individual so near to death that he could not walk away.
2. The word “excruciate” means “out of the cross”
The Settled PROVISION of the Cross
A. “Christ also hath once suffered”
1. This means ONE TIME; it will never happen again.
2. The PRICE has been paid.
B. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
1. It is FINISHED; it is paid in full
IV. The Saving POWER of the Cross
A. “that He might bring us to God”
1. The Greek word for “bring” means to take someone and bring them to another person.
2. When we come into Heaven’s throne room, there is One who will take us by the hand and bring us in; His name is Jesus.
3. Jesus has RECONCILED us to God.
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
18-2Cor.5.20" class="scriptRef">2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.