Jim Thomas, Senior Pastor
The Power of the Cross of Christ
- The person of Christ (Matthew 1-4)
- The principles of Christ (Matthew 5-7)
- The power of Christ (Matthew 8-28)
- The parables of Christ (Matthew 13-25)
- The passion of Christ (Matthew 21-28)
Parallel accounts:
- Mark 15:22-47
- Luke 23:33-56
- John 19:16-42
The impact of the cross of Christ was/is both momentary and momentous.
“He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
– 1 John 2:2
“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done ‘for’ us (leading us to faith and worship), we have to see it as something done ‘by’ us (leading us to repentance).”
– John Stott, The Cross of Christ
“The death of Christ in utter weakness would turn out to be the demonstration of the saving power of God that will ultimately destroy all powers of evil and violence. What a paradox! But it lies at the heart of the Gospel.”
– Christopher J.H. Wright, To the Cross
- The power of the Cross is historic
- The power of the Cross is supernatural
- The power of the Cross is global
- The power of the Cross is personal
“Jesus Christ came not to be served but to die, to give His life. That sets Him apart from the founder of every other major religion. Their purpose was to live and be an example; Jesus’ purpose was to die and be a sacrifice.”
– Tim Keller, King’s Cross
“Man’s reconciliation with God takes place through God putting Himself in man’s place, and man’s being put in God’s place, as a sheer act of grace. It is this inconceivable miracle which is our reconciliation.”
– Karl Barth
“Grace is the most perplexing, powerful force in the universe, and, I believe, the only hope for our twisted, violent planet.”
– Philip Yancey
“There’s a way back to God
from the dark paths of sin;
there’s a door that is open
and you may go in;
at Calvary’s cross is where you begin,
when you come as a sinner to Jesus.”
– E.H. Swinstead