My Thoughts Inexactly(03/19/16)

NOTES:

1. Today's subject is the cross.  More specifically the subject is "The Cross In Your Preaching."
2. Is the cross blending in too easily?  If so, why?  
3. In your preaching, does the cross blend in or stand out?
4. Is the work of the cross permeating your preaching?
5. Let's make sure the cross doesn't get lost in the cause.

RESOURCES:

1. Preaching The Cross by Mark Dever et al.  You can buy the book here.
2. Proclaiming A Cross-Centered Theology by Mark Dever et al.  You can buy the book here.
3. "Preaching The Cross" by International Bible Teaching Ministries
4. "Preaching The Cross" by Alistair Begg
5. "The Preaching Of The Cross" by Rolfe Barnard

There It Was Again

About a week ago, I had a "Cross" encounter in Benezette, PA.  You can view the post here.  Tuesday was my day off, so I went for a drive to photograph the foliage.  The Cross -- there it was again!

Route 553, Carroltown, PA  10/22/13

There is no escaping the cross.

"He was desirous to hear him groaning, and see him bleeding, that we might not groan under his frowns, and bleed under his wrath; he spared not him, that he might spare us; refused not to strike him, that he might be well pleased with us; drenched his sword in the blood of his Son, that it might not for ever be wet with ours, but that his goodness might for ever triumph in our salvation; he was willing to have his Son made man, and die, rather than man should perish, who had delighted to ruin himself..." (Stephen Charnock)

The Cross in Psalm 103:11-12

1. The vertical beam is found in verse 11. The cross was God's ultimate act of lovingkindness sent down from heaven to earth.
2. The horizontal beam is found in verse 12. The result of the cross is that man can be permanently separated from his sins.
3. In the vertical beam, the gap between God and man was closed; in the horizontal beam, the gap between man and his sin was widened infinitely.
4. The vertical beam is mentioned first. Without this, there is no need for the horizontal beam. God must be satisfied before man can be saved. Wrath was appeased before sin was removed. Our salvation means so much more than sins forgiven and penalties removed!