The Purpose of the Cross: Love, Justice, and Power

Intro
No matter how the first seven months looked, God is turning it around for your good. The message of the cross isn’t a necklace or a logo — it’s the power of God at work in real lives. This is why the cross matters now.

1) The Cross Is God’s Wisdom

Paul refused “clever speech,” so the cross wouldn’t “lose its power.” God chose what looks foolish to the world to display His wisdom and power.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLT)
“Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:24 (NLT)

Key idea: The cross offends human pride because it confronts our preferred ways of being “right” with God — yet it’s the only way God ordained.

2) The Cross Is the Way to Heaven

Jesus is the only One who came down from heaven and returned; the Son of Man had to be lifted up so anyone who believes has eternal life.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 (NLT)
“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” — John 3:17 (NLT)

Key idea: Hope is not a coin flip. In Christ, you can know you’re saved.

3) Love and Justice Met at the Cross

God didn’t lower the standard — He satisfied it.

“God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” — Romans 3:25 (NLT)
“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” — Romans 5:8 (NLT)
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son… so that we might have eternal life through him.” — 1 John 4:9 (NLT)

Key idea: The cross proves God’s love and upholds His justice. You don’t work your way up to God — Jesus came down to you.

4) New Creation & Freedom from Sin-Consciousness

In Christ, you’re not the old you with new rules — you’re made new.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Key idea: Stop rehearsing guilt. In Christ, sin isn’t “covered over” — it’s washed away.

5) Redeemed from the Curse & Empowered to Flourish

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy; Jesus came to give abundant life (John 10:10). The cross breaks spiritual death, sickness, and lack.

“Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law.” — Galatians 3:13 (NLT)
“Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)

Key idea: God’s blessing isn’t theory; it shows up in changed hearts, healed bodies, and practical provision.