THE LOVE OF THE CROSS


Texts: Jno 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I Jno 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Intro: Here is a love so different, that ordinary words cannot express it. A love so different that ordinary man cannot experience it.
I Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Neither Philo, Josephus, nor any of the Grecian philosophers ever even used the word! The highest form of love they ever knew was the phileo, or brotherly love. This love is 'expressed affection' because of something done to deserve it.
AGAPE is a love which springs from the one expressing it regardless of the deserving qualities of the one being loved.

John 3:16 speaks of the Agape love of God for all men, while John 16:27 ( For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.) speaks of the phileo love of God for those who please Him.

This ‘phileo’ love is used of man’s love toward man and of God’s love toward obedient man, but NEVER of man’s love toward God, because man in his natural state is at enmity with God and CANNOT be friendly toward Him.
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

I Jno 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
The lost can express no ‘agape’ toward God , for HE is the only source of it; and no ‘Phileo’, because they see no reason for it!

I. The cross was a total commitment of God’s love toward man.
A. The FATHER introduced His love to all men by the cross.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
B. The SON performed this act of divine love for the believer.
Jno 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jno. 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
1. Though offered for all, He is a special saviour to those who believe.
I Tim 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

C. The HOLY SPIRIT then instills this love in the believer
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
“I love you this much!” is no joke when illustrated by the cross!

II This love can have a supernatural effect upon men.
A. There is no other way to ‘love your enemies’!
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

B. It could cause a once hardened, but now born again ex-Pharisee to weep,

Phil 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ

C. It was this Agape love which caused this former church destroyer to be jealous over the churches with a godly jealousy.

II Cor 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
D. It enabled him even to rejoice in persecution.
II Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

E. It enabled the former Christ denier, Peter, to stand and boldly proclaim Christ. Acts 3:11-26

F. It can still enable men to sacrifice for the sake of lost souls even to the point of denying themselves their daily needs.
G. It will cause the heart which once revelled in sin to rejoice when flayed by the Word of God and it will cause sinners to rejoice in truth and righteousness.
H. It will cause us to have a desire to see others glorify God, even if it causes them pain or loss. Agape love will never try to shield others from God’s loving chastisement.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
1. This love will cause our love to be a working faith
Gal. 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
If any kind of ‘good works’ are induced by any other motive, (ie fear, rewards, pride etc.)they are vain.

III This is the softening agent the Holy Spirit uses NOW in you!
(See Rom 5:5 above)

What is your response to God’s love? Your response is your answer to the Cross of Christ!