The cross of Christ is the pinnacle of fulfillment for God’s answer to man’s sinfulness. And when received by faith, the cross is our initiation into a transformation that allows us to supernaturally see and serve our neighbors to advance forth God’s justice.
Observations:
- Thesis: “Jesus died, so that you can love your neighbor”
- “Cruciform Christianity”
1. Reconciled to God
2. Becoming an agent of reconciliation
Conclusions: How do I love my neighbor in cruciform?
- Less of you – More of Jesus
1. Put Jesus first
2. Put yourself behind
3. Don’t be ashamed
4. Do it DAILY - Reconnect the death of Jesus with loving your neighbor
- Let the cruciform Christianity lead you to worship
Application:
- Develop the habit of patterning your obedience after this cruciform model: “Because Jesus died for me, I can __________”
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Romans 6:6
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Colossians 2:20
“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?”
Colossians 3:3
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Matthew 10:37-38
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Luke 14:25-27
“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Mark 8:34-35
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Luke 9:22-23
“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”