The Cross Centered Life

The Cross Of Christ

When Jesus died on the cross, He displayed what it means to be a true Son of the Father, totally devoted to do the Father’s will (Psalm 40:7-8). In those agonizing hours on the cross, Jesus left all believers an example of what it means to be a son, a royal priest, and a living sacrifice on earth. On the cross, Jesus was the priest, the sacrifice, and the altar.

A glimpse into God’s unchanging heart- Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

The ministry of the apostles was encapsulated in these words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Jesus displayed the Father’s heart on the cross:

As our Great High Priest:

1. He ministered the mercy (lovingkindness) of God - Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

2. He ministered the grace of God- Luke 23:42-43 And he (the thief on the cross) said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

3. He ministered the comfort of God- John 19:26-27 “Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!

As our living sacrifice:

1. The orphaned cry of Immanuel- Matthew 27:46 “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

2. A cry of perpetual thirst for the Father’s glory – John 19:28 “I thirst”

3. A cry of finality for eternity- John 19:30 “It is finished”

4. A cry of total dependance on the Father- Luke 23:46 “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

As believers in Christ, these attributes ought to be manifested in and through our lives. By virtue of the finished work of the cross, Jesus ushered in a new covenant, a better covenant, based on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6). The new covenant answers our problem of motivation – Hebrews 8:10; our problem of identification- Hebrews 8:10b; our problem of worship- Hebrews 8:11; our problem of condemnation- Hebrews 8:12 (also refer Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus offered up Himself, once for all, perfected (made complete) forever the work the Father had given Him to accomplish (Hebrews 7:27-28). He made full provision for each of us to live a cross-centered life. The call of every believer is to take up the cross daily, to suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17-18; Philippians 1:29).

The cross has always been central to God’s plan for the church of Christ, displaying God’s lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness. The cross is before Pentecost. As believers, we should not expect a painless, cross less Christian life, a cross less Pentecost. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the way of the cross of Christ. We must reckon (count, be convinced) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

Background

Kainos Church India, Bengaluru led by Ps. Manoj and Lincy Iype is a gathering open to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church is ideally located for believers in the Koramangala, HSR Layout, Agara, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur areas of Bengaluru and our Church Service in English starts at 10am on Sundays.

These notes are from the Sunday Sermon held on 6th April 2025