The Motivation of the Cross

We are taking a 1 week break from our series entitled “What’s the Difference.”

-Next week we will resume the study series.

-TODAY Pastor Frank will pause for Valentine’s day to ponder the divine motivation of the cross. Why did God do it and what was God’s motivation in sending Jesus to Earth and to the cross?

Verses used: Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 12:1-2, John 3:16, Jeremiah 31:3, Hosea 11:4, 1 John 4:9-10, Romans 8:35-39, Genesis 3:13, Jeremiah 3:8, Deuteronomy 6:4-6, Mark 12:28-34, Galatians 2:20.

Key verses: Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 12:1-2.

Isaiah 53:10-11

10 But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sermon Notes:

What motivates us to do the things that we do?

Fear
Guilt
Anger
Greed
Hate
The greatest is Love
7. The Cross is the collision point of two of God’s attributes, Love and Holiness/Justice.

8. God’s motivation for sending Jesus is love!

9. God’s goal is reconciliation.

10. God wants you to respond to His love for you by loving him back!

Some questions to consider this week:

1. What is one thing that stands out to you from the message on Sunday?

2. Pastor Frank taught that “God was pleased to ‘crush’ Jesus for our sin,” (Isaiah 53:10). Share with the group what this incredible act means to you.

3. When you ponder the thought that God suffered and died on the cross for you because he loves you, how does that make you feel?

4. When you hear that the number one thing that God want from you is to love you him back, how does that make you feel?

5. Can you list 5 reasons why you love God? Share them in your group.

6. When God allowed the sacrifice of Jesus, He was looking for reconciliation with the ones He loved. If you were or are looking for reconciliation with a loved one, to what lengths would you be willing to go?

7. As God is motivated to show His powerful love, what are some ways you show His love to others?

8. As the word “love” is often over-used in our culture, describe its deepest meaning in your own life and walk with Christ.

9. How can we be “stirring in” the sermon’s verses into our lives this week?

Thought to consider this week:

You are loved by the almighty God!

May we love him back!

May we see our lives and identity wrapped in the Cross!

And may this love of Jesus drive our lives and help us to love each other better!